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I did as Graed into my sundress, which was my favorite color after teal Most of my closet was yellow and teal stuff I loved teal because it was my favorite color I loved yellow because it was Mama’s

I felt ot ready I hoped Rosalina liked irl in the house Sos that happened to me, and I could never talk to him about my crushes I could talk to Grams sometimes, but it wasn’t the same

I wasn’t looking for a new mama because mine was still around in the water, but maybe Rosalina could’ve been my friend I didn’t have many friends at school, so it would’ve been nice to have her

After I finished getting dressed, I dashed out ofroo around the corner, I bu ht round

“Whoa there, speed racer,” he mentioned

I looked up at him and saw his eyes His eyes used to smile more Mama always said that was her favorite part of Kevin—how his eyes could be the happiest thing on his face But now they looked sad That made me sad, too

“Sorry,” Ito my feet

He flicked his thue of my nose and then dabbed my fist with his like ays did “It’s okay You ready to meet Rosalina?”

“Yes! Gra to like me, and maybe we can be friends, too”

“Of course she’ll like you! You’re a star”

I struck a pose “I know, I shine”

His eyes didn’t look as sad any “You’re sassy like your ht?”

I lowered my eyebrows “Do you miss her, Kevin?”

“Every single day”

“Then why don’t you talk to her in the ocean? That’s how I talk to her, Grams, too! You could do it if you wanted to”

“Oh, sweetheart” He rubbed his hand against the back of his neck and bent down in front of ainst my shoulders, and he whispered “I talk to the ocean It just doesn’t talk back to me”

I leaned in closer to hi closely enough”