He longed to hide beside his mother in the cool dark earth. Fredericko’s world falls apart when his mother dies, and he moves into the bustling family of Aunt Rosa and Uncle David on St. Croix. He truly feels like an alien compared to his active and teasing cousins Mama Rosa calls her “beautiful mahogany steps and stairs” while he stands out as an albino, and has the sensitivity of an artist like his mother. His only solace is playing under the Mangrove tree with the salamanders –while his cousins are always plotting some mischief, even putting crayfish and crabs in his bed. With the application of zinc oxide slathered over his face, he soon acquires the nickname, Ghost, but finds himself readily accepted at an on-board Trekkies’ Convention . Warm-hearted Mama Rosa and Uncle David as well as the Nuns coax Fredericko to reveal his special talents and gain respect while he in turn helps an invalided boy discover his own.