2 Bookmarks
List of Bookmarks
-
Tags
Summary
Why are they googling? That hadn’t even occurred to JJ.
Because he has a better resource.
His mama. She is his lighthouse, his compass, his answer to everything. But especially his answer to anything regarding dolphins.
Because Larissa Maybank is a marine biologist. She works with turtles and dolphins and sometimes even sharks when she drives up to the research center on the mainland. On weekends or on days when JJ doesn’t have school, she often takes him with her to the Kildare marine animal rehabilitation center—her main workplace. JJ has seen her kiss a sea lion on the nose and pick up a baby turtle like it was the most precious thing in the world. She knows ocean facts like other moms know casserole recipes.
OR
JJ loves Mrs. Darcy’s class because she always makes learning fun. This Friday, it’s a contest: find the coolest dolphin fact and win the biggest lollipop in Kildare. While everyone else runs to Google, JJ turns to his favorite scientist—his mom.Series
-
Bookmark Notes:
"When the bell rings, signaling the start of the weekend, JJ grabs his backpack and bolts through the school doors like he’s been fired from a cannon, backpack bouncing against his spine, sneakers slapping the pavement. His heart is still doing that thumpy-fast thing it always does after something good happens—his own personal drumroll, louder than the bell that just rang.
And then—there she is. His mama. Leaning against the side of the old Jeep Wrangler with the faded sea turtle sticker on the bumper, sunglasses pushed into her hair, her tank top still a little damp from the dolphin pool. One leg crossed over the other, arms folded, the kind of smile on her face that belongs in storybooks. The kind that says you are my whole world and I came here just for you.
JJ doesn’t slow down. Not even a little. He runs full speed, crossing the sidewalk in five long strides and launches himself straight into her arms like a cannonball with feelings.
“OOF—JJ!” Larissa laughs as she stumbles back a half step, catching him with a practiced mom grip. She lifts him up like she’s done since he was three. He’s long now—too long for her arms, his legs dangling and skinny and scruffy—but she holds him like he’s light as sea foam. His arms go tight around her neck, and he buries his face in her shoulder, the shark tooth necklace pressed between them.
“I won the lollipop,” he breathes, and then, as if remembering everything at once, he pulls back just enough to see her face, his blue eyes bright and burning with excitement. “But I gave it away! To Pope! He’s my new friend, and he’s real smart, and he got all shy when he talked, but I think he’s cool, Mama. So I gave it to him. I didn’t even care.”
Larissa’s eyes soften, her arms holding him tighter. “You gave away the lollipop?” she repeats, brushing the hair from his eyes with the back of her knuckles. “The big swirly one?”
He nods furiously, so fast his bangs flop again. “Yup. But I still won. Cause you helped. And everyone laughed in the good way, and Mrs. Darcy said I had the coolest fact, and Connor was being dumb and said dolphins were fish, but I said my mom is a marine biologist, and then John B laughed so hard he almost fell off his chair!”
Larissa giggles, tipping her head back. “Of course you told them that. You little showoff.” She lowers him slowly to the ground, cupping his face as he looks up at her. “I’m so proud of you, baby. Proud for winning and prouder of the heart.”
JJ beams, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet, unable to stay still for even a second. “Can we do something fun now, like you said?”
“We can do anything, my scientist,” she promises. “Wanna hit the store? I think this day calls for a treat.”
“YES!” JJ whoops, throwing his arms up again like he’s just won the Olympics. He scrambles into the passenger seat while Larissa climbs into the driver’s side, the smell of sunscreen and sea salt filling the Jeep like it always does after her shift. The windows are down, and JJ’s hair whips in the breeze as they pull out of the school lot, the sun hot and golden above them."🥹🥲🥰
send it on by d'angelo
someday (i will understand) by britney spears
i'll always love my momma by the intruders
thankful by kelly clarkson