Sunshine Picklelime Read Online Free PDF Page B

cave directly behind the rushing curtains ofclear water. A wild roar filled the air. “Oooh
wow,”
PJ said. Mrs. Patel waved her closer. A thousand stings of spray hit them. Sand squelched underfoot. They were soaked within seconds.

    They stood there until their ears rang with the noise. Then they returned to the path and followed the rapid streams that fanned out across the beach toward the waves. Clear, sweet waters met salt in a joyful leap of foam.
    Close by, PJ found a large, seaweed-covered tree that had floated in with the tide. Tiny crabs scurried around and vanished into crevices in the roots as she crouched down for a closer look. Mussels and shells crusted an entire side. Mr. Flax hadn’t said anything about trees that washed up on the beach, but wasn’t this a perfect example of a different ecosystem for the class? She took a quick mental snapshot of it to sketch later for her homework.
    The sun hovered over the horizon like a big, squashy overripe orange. Softer shades of orange lingered across the sky between cloud puffs. PJ closed her eyes because she didn’t want to watch the sun disappear. But the air was becoming chillier, giving both PJ and Mrs. Patel goose bumps.
    They retraced their steps and climbed up the path,stopping once more to watch the waters crashing down relentlessly in the falling light.
    Mrs. Patel reached into the backseat of the VW for huge, fluffy midnight blue towels and handed one to PJ. They dried themselves and their damp hair and sipped cups of spicy hot chai she had brought in a thermos.
    Mrs. Patel said, “Come, child. Time we were on our way.” Then, turning, she pointed toward the mountain.
    “Oh, PJ, look at the moon!”
    PJ took a deep breath. As the squashy orange sun sank into the ocean, directly opposite it, the curve of the moon began to rise between two peaks. “I’ve never seen both at the same time before! This is
awesome
, Mrs. Patel.
Awesome!
Please can’t we stay a little longer?
Please?”
    Mrs. Patel glanced at her watch and shook her head. “PJ, I promised your mother I’d get you home by sunset!”
    “Aw, just a few more minutes. Can’t we call her?”
    Mrs. Patel jangled her car keys. “Let’s go, PJ. Keep the beautiful images in your thoughts. Never wait until they’re all over.”
    “I don’t want to go home,” PJ announced.
    “What nonsense! Come. It’s warmer in the car. Talk to me, child,” she said, switching on the ignition. TheVW jumped to life and they bounced over the potholes once again, toward the road.
    “I don’t know what to say,” PJ mumbled after a moment.
    “You’re too young to be so sad.”
    “Only older people can feel sad?” PJ asked.
    Mrs. Patel chuckled. “Lemon Pie has gone, but there are other birds and animals that need you. No time to waste now.” Pursing her lips and making a swift left turn, she said, “I think I know just the thing for you! A big sister. Have you met Ruth?”
    “Ruth? The girl who bikes around with her hands off the handlebars? Joshua’s her twin?”
    “That’s Ruth.”
    “But she has all kinds of friends. She probably thinks I’m a baby,” PJ said.
    “Nonsense! I’ll introduce you. She lives a few streets away from us. Do you know what she does?”
    “I think she plays soccer?”
    “Oh, much more than that, child! She rescues injured animals. She could probably do with some help. She’s hoping a soccer scholarship will pay for veterinary school in a few years. So she’s getting lots of experience right now.”
    Mrs. Patel pulled up outside PJ’s front gate. “Off you go now, PJ. Your mother’s probably wondering what’s happened to you. I’ll take you to meet Ruth after school tomorrow.”
    “Thanks, Mrs. Patel. Also, thanks for sharing your waterfalls with me,” said PJ, climbing out of the VW. “The sun and moon put on a great show for us, don’t you think?”
    “Oh yes, PJ. Just keep watching the sky.” Mrs. Patel laughed.

    Later, at the kitchen table, PJ