Before I knew what was what, we were standing by the side of Gina's van. It was possible to see into the front window, but the back and side windows looked like a dark smokey grey colour, and were impossible to see into. She unlocked it and opened the front passenger door, so I started to climb in when Gina stopped me, "And just where do you think your going little girl?"

    "I was going to get seated."

    "I can see that. Babies ride in back. In the baby seat. Come on out of there, silly girl." She opened the sliding side back door while I climbed out of the front seat. "Okay baby, climb into the baby seat and I'll be there in a sec to buckle you in." As I was getting in the back, Gina put her backpack and my diaper-bag in the front seat so she could reach it while driving. She pulled out the bottle with water in it then closed the door and was promptly in the back buckling me into the baby seat.  I was handed Heather and the water bottle, the blankie was set next to me where I could reach it if I wanted it. "You have had enough juice for today. Too much juice is not good for you, you need to drink some water." She kissed my cheek and a moment later she was in the drivers seat and started the van.

    Now I had the time to think about my fears of being out in public like this. Okay, I have been out in public like this many times before with my Aunt and Mom, but never with anyone else. They would usually have me in a stroller(pram), so no one really would give me a second look. Perhaps I should have told Gina this so she could have brought it with us. On the other hand, we are just going to her house, that's not like going to the shops or the mall, so I guess we really don't need it.... but what about tomorrow?... And what is her mom going to be like?...  all of a sudden I had a thousand questions pouring into in my mind, Shoot, I just noticed I was wetting myself, when Gina spoke...

    "No. I very scared."

    "What has my baby so frightened?" She said this in a very loving, yet babyish way.

    "Yes Mommy... but I'm still nervous."

    "Then you should suck on your pasci, that might help. You should have it in your mouth when you meet mom too, that way she won't ask you any questions. If she does, just act shy and hold on to me." I nodded and put the pasci into my mouth. "Good girl. Can we go now?" I nodded again. "Okay, we're almost there, just around the next corner." She patted my hand, turned around and drove us to the corner, made a turn and we were at her driveway in a few seconds. No wonder she pulled over when she did, with us being so close to her house and all.

    You couldn't see the house from the street. We had to drive up the driveway through almost a forest of trees and once on the other side of the trees, the yard opened up to reveal a large house with a lovely garden in front. Gina got out and quickly opened my door and unbuckled me. She took my blankie and bottle, I had a hold of Heather. She grabbed my empty hand and helped me down from the van, but didn't let go of my hand once my feet were on the ground. I saw her mom walking up to us, waving and talking on the phone. What a beauty Gina's mom is. She looks like a she just walked off the cover of a fashion magazine. She moved with the grace of an angel as she approached us.

    I heard her mom laugh into the phone, "OH Erica, you have to see these girls, they are so cute." When she had said "Erica", I knew she was talking to my mom. "I'm going to take a picture and send it to you before I go... Gina hold still for a sec, I want to send Erica a pic of you two... Smile pretty..." I was wondering why she wanted a pic of us, but soon realized that we were in (almost)matching tie-dyed skirts, holding hands, looking like a mother and daughter. "Oh, that's nice. Can I get one more of you holding the baby?"

    "Sure mom", and before I had time to think, Gina had me scooped up in her arms, balancing me on her hip. "Come on Sweetie, wave to the camera."  And without even hesitating, I extended out my arm with Heather tightly clutched in my hand and waved.