Paco is only twelve years old but already has visions. Paco and his older sister, Rosa, live with Mama Jan in Mr. Sebastian’s mansion on Sanibel Island. Mama Jan—not really their mother—was hired by Mr. Sebastian as permanent housekeeper. Paco’s first vision is an image of Marmalade, the tortoiseshell tomcat, being eaten by an alligator. He decides not to share this with Rosa and Mama Jan, even though he wants to tell Rosa about his vision. Old George, the handyman, explains to him where visions come from and says they may or may not come true. Mama Jan still harbors feelings for Christien Dupuis, Mr. Sebastian’s yacht captain, who brought them on the boat to Sanibel from New Orleans. Paco likes the captain, too, and wishes he could replace the father Paco doesn’t remember. Mama Jan learns that Mr. Sebastian is coming to the island, aboard his yacht, knows Christien will be coming too, and goes into a frenzy of preparation, determined to make everything perfect. Mr. Sebastian and his new young bride stay in one of his condos and Christien and his two crewmen stay at the mansion. Paco has a second vision in which he sees Christien standing with Mama Jan and waving goodbye as Mr. Sebastian’s yacht sails away. Christien, who clearly shares Mama Jan’s feelings, plans a day of sailing on the yacht. Bad weather forces him to anchor over night. Paco overhears Christien and Mama Jan talking, and both express their affection. Christien says he would stay on Sanibel if he could. When they get back to the island, Mr. Sebastian announces that he wants Christien to remain on Sanibel and manage his property—a move which will not affect Mama Jan’s status. While a celebration goes on in the mansion, Paco hears sounds at the back door and discovers that Marmalade has come home.