“Cathrine pretty today. I nod, yes it's a very pretty day. Jason touches my arm. Cathrine pretty.”

“Jason tilts his head toward me, his hand moving slyly across his book. Stupid. Speech. Woman.”

“Touch blue and your wish will come true.”

“Most people say if you tell a wish it won't come true. But I don't think wishes work like that. I don't believe there's some bad-tempered wish-fairy with a clipboard, checking off whether or not you've told...But it's a long shot I'll get my wish, so even if there is a fairy in charge of telling, it won't matter.'I wish everyone had the same chances,' I say. 'Because it stinks a big one that they don't. What about you? What did you wish for?''Grape soda.'I can't help smiling. 'You wished for grape soda?' He doesn't answer, and I pull my hand from my pocket. Taking one of his fluttering hands, I wrap his fingers tightly around a dollar. 'Wish granted, toad.'He takes off running and Dad runs after him.I close my eyes and make a new wish.I wish the refreshment stand has grape soda.”

“Wishes are slippery things. You have to be very specific or you can get exactly what you wished for and still end up with nothing.”

“Sometimes you have to stop trying to control everything and let life happen the way it's supposed to, Tess. Even if it's not exactly the way you wanted.But what if it's not even a little like you wanted?Then you deal with it and keep going.”

“Sometimes people don't answer because they didn't hear you, Other times it's because they don't want to hear you!”