Seven year old Trixie Belden sat in the sun on the family terrace. She gazed out over the yard towards the garden where she could see Moms and Mart weeding the tomatoes.

"That stupid Mart. He thinks he is so smart. He says I am ugly cuz I got freckles. Well, if I am ugly, then so is he. He's got a million freckles too," she scowled. Her mind kept replaying the taunts Mart had sent her way earlier in the day, telling her that all her freckles made her look ugly.

"Moms has freckles and she's beautiful," thought Trixie. "But her freckles aren't popping out like mine are." Trixie thought about her mother's smooth, pretty face. Then she remembered that every morning Moms would pat some powder over her skin.

"That's it!" thought Trixie as she jumped at the idea that the powder would help take away the detested freckles. Hopping up from the patio chair, Trixie ran into the house, up the stairs, and into her mother's bathroom. She pulled open the drawer where Moms kept her makeup and took out the powder compact. She gingerly opened the compact and stared at the powder puff lying inside. Trixie took the round puff, rubbed it in the powder, and then began spreading it over her face. At first Trixie could see the freckles lying underneath the powder, but as she applied more, the freckles began to disappear. Satisfied with the freckle-free face that stared back at her from the mirror, Trixie replaced the compact in the drawer and went downstairs.

As Trixie entered the family room, she saw Brian sitting on the couch, reading a book. He looked up as Trixie entered the room and gasped.

"Are you all right? You're as white as a ghost. Do you feel sick?"

"I just got rid of my freckles. That's all," Trixie shrugged. "Now stupid Mart can't tell me that I'm ugly." .

Brian ran a finger down Trixie's cheek and noticed the talc that clung to it.

"Come on, let's go wipe off your face," he said as he took Trixie by the hand and led her to the kitchen. Grabbing the dish towel, he dampened it and wiped the powder off of her face.

"Now I will look ugly again," Trixie wailed.

"No you won't," said Brian. "Trixie, when I look at your face and your curls, do you know what I think of? I think of sunshine, all bright and cheery and full of happy energy. You light up a room every time you come into it. You're like my own Funshine Bear and you know how pretty Funshine Bear is!"

Trixie looked up at Brian, putting all her faith in Brian as she asked, "Really?"

Brian nodded as a happy Trixie kissed him and then skipped out the back door.