WHEN RUTHIE PICKED ME up for school the next morning, dark circles underlined her eyes, despite the layers of makeup she wore. I scooted over to her and leaned my shoulder against her.
"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked. Yesterday's shark experience must have kept her up all night.
"I don't know," she sighed. "I feel a lot better today. Not scared, just tired." I settled into my seat as she stretched her arms above her head and yawned like a cat. "But I dreamed about that stupid shark." She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. "And then I dreamed about the dolphin, only there was a mermaid riding the dolphin, and they fought the shark. Cool, I guess. Probably too much Disney as a kid."
I laughed. She must be okay if she was making fun of herself. "I know exactly how you feel, girl," I said.
She smiled at me. "I bet you do. All those dreams you have must really suck."
"You have no idea," I said, nodding.