Friendship

Raymie, Beverly, and Louisiana seem unlikely friends, but they meet at a time each of them needs a friend and their bond is strong and immediate. Raymie gives this some thought as the three girls are walking through the Golden Glen Nursing Home, realizing that she has only known them a few days.

When Raymie begins baton lessons, she is at a critical point in her life. She desperately needs someone who will be her unconditional friend. Beverly and Louisiana each fit that role, and each of them also needs a friend. Beverly is in a similar situation though her father has been gone longer than Raymie's father. She needs someone to talk to and she opens up to Raymie.

Louisiana's situation is not at the same critical stage as Raymie's and Beverly's. It seems she and her grandmother have been holding on at the same...