Publisher's Synopsis
Charlene and I were unsteady on our feet, and just moments before we fell, Vina stumbled violently toward us. We surfaced, water dripping from our faces, arms flailing about, while Vina was still below the surface, her whole body stretched out. As Vina tried to surface her head, Charlene and I looked at each other and put our hands on Vina's rubber cap. This could have been an accident. Like, we grabbed onto the rubber object beside us while trying to keep our balance, not realizing what it was. I think we'd be forgiven. Little kids. Freaked out. I could recall the color of the hat accurately, a boring pale blue, but I could never decipher the bulging pattern pressed into my palm: was it a mermaid, or was it a flower? Charlene and I kept staring at each other, not looking down at the movement of our hands. Her eyes were wide and full of joy, and I guess I was too.
