May 20

Collette and Puck spent their morning listening to Mediterranean techno, which Joe had introduced to them during Frances’ Monday morning math session. Puck swayed to the music while he marched around the house with a small broom. He had the groove.
Occasionally Puck found things that he thought he wasn’t supposed to have. This made him a little too happy. So Tuesday morning when he hustled off through the living room with both hands full of small candles, grinning back at Collette, as though he had just successfully stolen the treasure of the 40 thieves, Collette just laughed at him.
It was time for another spring choir concert. This one would once again be at the same church where OLeif, Diana, and Collette had graduated five years ago.
And all in all… the choirs had seen better years. Collette decided that maybe it was because there were few power singers, more younger kids in the collective. Things fluctuated over time. But a choir concert was always entertaining, and elicited a number of comments from the peanut gallery. Old faces returned, as every year: Justus Orange, Peter, Lorenzo, Crystabelle, and others.
Fifteen graduates gathered on stage that night, including Annamaria, Curly, and Rose who had been around from the beginning. Curly handed over the flowers, as had the Friendly brothers, Mercy, Justus, Joe, and Lolli in former years.
When everyone gathered on stage for “The Lord Bless You and Keep You”, Bluebell was a little overcome, but as always, continued directing. As Annamaria said when giving her speech of thanks at the end:
“Mrs. South, we have yet to see you make a mistake.”