"Well, Brian, the best thing is to use your creativity. I'm sure that you can think up something that your thoughts and talents can present to her," said Michaela, smiling proudly at Brian while making dinner.

"Gosh, Ma, she doesn't like planes and those kind of things. Maybe I can go to Mr. Bray's store and ask him."

Brian then walks to the mercantile to look around and talk to Mr. Bray to ask for ideas on what to get for Sara's birthday party. "Mr. Bray, I was wonderin' what my friend Sara would like for her birthday. Do you have any ideas?"

Loren then looks around to see what may be appropriate for a young lady of Brian's age.

"Well, she kind of likes what I do, she's not into planes or hunting. She likes riding her bike and animals....," says Brian, thinking aloud.

Mr. Bray continues his search throughout the store. He sees the best selling, reasonably-priced items that Brian could afford on his salary delivering the Gazette. He then ganders the items for girls and young ladies. He considers dresses, perfumes, and the various dime-store novels. He deems these as too mature and inappropriate for someone Sara's age.

"Does she like dolls, Brian? I have some really fine porcelain ones for a dollar," asks Mr. Bray.

"Those are sure nice dolls, Mr. Bray, but she thinks they're for little girls. Her little sister likes them OK, though," says Brian, thankful for Mr. Bray's help in his search.

Jake and Teresa, also grocery shopping, see Brian and Mr. Bray. Jake smiles and asks Brian, "How about some eggs, flour and a rolling-pin, help teach her how to be good in the kitchen for you?" Teresa averts her gaze downward, half-smiling and half-blushing.

Brian shakes his head, blushes and manages to say, "Thank you anyway, Mr. Bray and Mr. Slicker, I'll try to think of something and maybe be back."

Loren then sees Brian on his way with Jake closely following. Loren gives Brian some penny candy for his thoughts, saying good-bye with a wave and a quizzical smile. Brian then proceeds to walk around town in the light of day, trying to think of something. He thinks and wishes that he had Colleen and Anthony around to share things with and to get ideas from. It is the thoughts of Anthony that cause Brian to divert his path to Grace's restaurant.

"Miss Grace, my ma says I should use my creativity to get my friend, Sara, something for her birthday party. What do you think I should do?" Brian asks as a student asking a teacher a question.

Grace considers the question with a concerned smile, being touched by the thought that Brian would ask her opinion.

"Well, Brian, which of your many talents do YOU think you can use to give her a present?"

"Well, I DID get a prize at the contest that time when you helped me bake that surprise pie. I even beat Colleen!" exults Brian.

"You know, Brian, I can't remember, what WAS that surprise?" asks Grace with true curiosity.

"OH...it was chocolate!" said Brian, giving a pause revealing such important secret information.

This thought made Grace's teeth clench. This softened into a closed-lipped smile. She then hugged Brian's shoulders, smiled and said, "My, Brian, what an imagination you have!"

Brian, thinking quietly, asked Grace if she would bake the crust and supply the fudge. "How much would this cost?" asked Brian.

"Well, Brian, I'll tell you what. When I close up in an hour or so, I can take you to our place and I'll show you how to make the crust by following me. I do have some fudge at home and we'll make this birthday pie together. You can spend the night if you want. Run home and ask your ma's permission, now," said Grace, bursting with motherly concern, at the same time grinning with a conspiratory grin at the thought of the richness of a chocolate pie.

"Gee thanks Miss Grace," said Brian, hugging Grace which makes her smile from ear-to-ear. He then goes home gets approval from Michaela, who really likes the idea of Brian staying with Grace and Robert E., thinking it good for there ot be another young person in their home, before the arrival of Grace's baby.

Grace, by no means, sold on the wisdom of a chocolate birthday pie, enjoyed the idea of Brian staying overnight in Anthony's old room, having such interest in cooking. She also liked playing teacher, mentor, and friend to Brian, let alone partner in crime. Robert E. and Grace both thoroughly enjoyed Brian's company. They felt good that Anthony's room was being occupied by his best friend. That night, Grace made enough dough for two people to make double-crust pies. She gave Brian enough fudge to put in his pie. Grace filled hers with fresh berries. She sort of averted her gaze from Brian during this particular operation. She then showed him how to seal the crusts together, over the filling. He then pricked the top of the pie with a center hole, according to Grace's doting instruction.

"Gee, thank you very much, Miss Grace," said Brian, "She'll REALLY like this!!"

Brian and Grace constantly monitored the process of the pies cooking. They both rejoiced together when they were done. They then left the pies on the kitchen counter to cool.

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