As the months passed I grew to feel safe and loved in the Steven’s home. I attended regular school. I still held onto the facade of being a normal twelve-year-old. In the month of June I confessed my birth date to Kristin and Patrick after much prodding on their part.

Kristin was already making plans for a big party. She said I should invite all of my friends. I was glad to see that I had made some in the few months I had lived with the Stevens. After coming home on the last day of school Kristin met me at the front door.

“Aurora, did you have your list together?”

“Yes. It’s right here, but isn’t it a little early to plan?”

“Oh, no, dear, it’s never too early to plan a party. Oh, Aurora, this is going to be your best birthday ever.”

I had to admit that I too was excited by the prospect of a party.

Kristin took the list from me. “Oh, this is just fine. Now, you run along and play.”

“I would like a swim.”

“Oh, wonderful, but stay out of the deep end, and dinner’s at five today not six. And do wear one of those pretty dresses.”

I ran towards the patio and into the poolroom. I changed into my swimsuit and dove into the pool. The water felt so good that I didn’t want to get out. I felt like I was born to be a fish. Kristin even suggested I join the swim team when school started next year. At first I thought the idea a little absurd, but I did enjoy swimming. So I thought why not?

After I finished my swim I went upstairs to my room to change for dinner. I didn’t like wearing dresses much, but I did it only to appease Kristin’s ego. Almost every night some business contact of Patrick’s showed up at our door with their wives. It was very important to Kristin that the women of the Lady’s League accepted her. They all knew that I was adopted but thought Kristin a saint for taking me in. At first it made me feel like a charity case, but Kristin explained that was just the way with socialites.