Mae Whitman portrays Birdee's daughter, Bernice. Bernice goes through many changes, including moving to a new state and adjusting to a new school without any friends. She has to deal with the "Scaredy Cats" that her Grandma had stuffed and Big Delores, who is just plain ol' mean! Bernice struggles with the pain of her father rejecting her, but surrenders to her mother's unconditional love.

Mae Whitman Links Whitman World Child Starlets / Mae Whitman Mae Whitman Images from Hope Floats The Unofficial Mae Whitman Fan Website (by Alexander Atkin) Quotes Bernice: Back home, we had a pet skunk. Mom named it Justin Matisse. Do you think that's a coincidence? All day, Mom screamed, "You stink Justin Matisse!" Finally, she just picked up a club and killed it. Bernice: He loves me! He loves me, even if he doesn't love you! Bernice: My cup runneth over. Bernice: I just don't want to be known as Bernice Matisse.