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"It is, very pretty," I answer back as I watch her She’s s down at the jewelry "Are those eems

"Yes," she whispers And then she looks up at ht this for my mom for Mother’s Day once It was syive her a present So I worked really hard to sell a lot of stuff that ot this bracelet from a lady who used to run a booth on the other side of theabout it lately and I’d like for it to go to a o to my mother Do you think your mother would like this?" She lifts it up towards irl smiles at me

Holy shit that almost cracks my black Grinch heart "Absolutely," I say "My mom would die to have this bracelet How much?"

"I have it rab some more cash from my wallet and lay it out on the counter "Seventy-five is a steal"

"Want"I’ll put it in a pretty jewelry bag With ribbons and everything And make a card too I’ll be fast" And before I can even answer yes, she’s got the ribbon and scissors out "You should look for soirl" And then she stops mid-cut and looks up at s Sonificant, but really isn’t OK?"

Relationship advice from a twelve-year-old My life couldn’t be any ive Rook I walk inside the girl’s booth a little farther and start to take things in "What’s your na

"Sasha Alena Cherlin"

"Not Nikita then?" She laughs, like she got the joke, and that makes me like her even more "I don’t have a n n yours too, so my mom knows it caonna put little pink hearts on the tag too"

"Do it up right, Nikita"

"Sasha!" she squeals

"Right--" I stop ift for Rook "I want that for the girl who is a friend"

She puts her stuff down and walks over to irl? I’m not sure…"

"No, I’ure has htstick I laugh out loud as I picture Rook saying, ‘Respect ma authora-tay’ when she sees it Can’t cost ift for Rook Sonificant, but really isn’t

"Gift wrap?" Sasha asks

"Yeah, but better leave your name off this one, OK?"