They stayed about another hour and then decided that they'd better be going, they needed to unpack the van, get the food put away, so Starke went to the back door and whistled for Taffy and motioned to Marie to come. He saw her stand and slowly turn as if saying goodbye to all the many butterflies swir1ing around the flowers and his daughter, then she started towards the house. Taffy her obedient little dog waited for her, and walked the rest of the way with her, everher companion, he thought. They said their goodbyes to Anne, Taffy jumped into the van, and Candee made sure Marie's seatbelt was secure in the rear seat, while Starke strapped Jamie's car seat in securely, and after buckling up themselves they were off.
Candee spoke then to Marie turning a bit in her seat, Marie honey, did you enjoy your visit with grandma's butterflies?" "Uh huh' the child replied, "When mommy looked out to make sure you were okay, who were you talking too?" "My friend" "your friend? “uh huh" "who would that be? "Marie hung her head, sweetie, I'm not scolding you, I'm only curious."
"I was talking to my friend, the white butterfly" Starke who was listening while driving, whipped his head towards his wife, as she did the same towards him. "Marie did you say white butterfly?" "uh huh" she set's on my shoulder and whispers in my ear, she said, she is my guar-d-ian angel," she's so pretty she has a little pink head, and she said she'd always be near me and protect me.
Starke said, oh my god, and Marie said, mommy why are you crying? Candee wiped the tears that were now running down her cheeks and said, oh honey they are happy tears, mommy is very happy for you. They were all quiet the rest of the way home which was a short distance now, except for Jamie of course he never stopped with his baby talk, and even Taffy was napping in the very back of the van.