Blueberry Girl Monologue

Adrenaline Orb —On the days we have to park far away from our house, because there aren't any spots, I hope for clear skies. We get a lot of storms here, so on those days, when it's raining, I run home, trying not to get wet.

Berry Juice —In our backyard we have raspberry plants. They are small, and the berries aren't worth eating. Our neighbour, Melinda, though, her plants produce the best you'll ever taste. She's just a better gardener than us, I think. Last summer she helped us transplant a blueberry bush, “Delicate thing,” she said, “can't be too careful.”

That blueberry bush looked lonely out in our front yard. It was the only plant of its size and looked like a misfit.

Custap Berry —Abuelo y Abuela came too, that summer. I remember because Abuela’s leg was hurt and she had one of those

Moving shouldn't be that bad because I don't have many close friends, at least not since switching schools.

Life Orb —The card feels smooth in my hands. I've traded each one I got for another, slightly better, until now, staring back at me, is Reshiram. I admire the artwork and read the text: This Pokémon appears in legends. It sends flames into the air from its tail, burning up everything around it.

“No cards out in class!” Teacher shouts, taking my one and only away.

An after-class talk returns to me my card, and I run outside to show it off.

Mail —Now, everyone is my friend. I have a Reshiram.

Net Ball —Though we have grown apart, an action exacerbated through my switching of schools, Peter Wong and I spend our last summer together in Oysterville.

He has always loved to fish, but now likes Pokémon too. We drive down the coast and stop at a small fishing shack just before his house. Oysterville must have a population of less than 300! I buy two bait worms (keep them in a zip block bag and they won't dry out), each the colors of the rainbow. Peter has a better sense of what we need scrambling to and from