“Deep-sea fishing?” Mom said.

The yellow ginger that Ledward had brought her sat in a blue vase on the counter. Stella and Darci were near it, breathing in the sweet smell.

Ledward spread his hands. “It would be good for the boy. Do you remember you met my friend Bill from the Big Island? Well, he’s got a boat, and fishing is his specialty.”

Mom studied me.

“Calvin has never been on a boat before, let alone on an airplane to get to that boat.”

“All the more reason to go.”

I couldn’t stand it. “Mom, I want to go. I’ve never—”

She held up her hand. “All right, all right, you can go.” She grinned at Ledward. “He could use a little man time. All he ever gets is us girls.”

A huge smile spread across Ledward’s face. “Don’t worry, Angela. I’ll take good care of him. I was thinking we could go next Saturday.”

This was really going to happen! I was so excited I could kiss a bufo! Maybe I’d even try to cut more grass. Yeah, I’d do that.

Like, right now.

But Stella had to butt in.

“Lucky for you wood floats, Stump.”

I hated when she called me Stump. I scowled at her.

“Because when you fall off the boat you won’t sink.” She laughed. “Get it? Stumps float.”

“Hardy-har.”

“Not hardy-har, party hard, because that’s what I’m going to do the minute you walk out the door.”

I looked up at Ledward. “Can we go right now?”