She thanked them and assured them that her mom would drop it off for them. “What’s all that about?” asked Mom as she rinsed out her coffee cup and set it in the sink. “The sandcastle contest,” said Emily, holding out the slightly rumpled application from the newspaper. “Huh?” Mom glanced at it then looked surprised. “You mean the one at the resort? This weekend?” Emily nodded. “Me and my friends want to enter.” “My friends and I,” her mom corrected. “You too?” teased Emily. Mom smiled warmly and took the paper. “But there’s a fee, Emily. Twenty-five dollars.” “I know.” Emily scooped out the bills and change that she’d been collecting in her pocket and set it on the counter. “We have most of it already.” “Most?” “All except for my share.” “How much is that?” “Six dollars and twenty-five cents.” Mom nodded. “Well, how about if I cover you on that?” “Really?” “Sure. We’re not totally penniless, Emily. And you’ve been doing such a great job of helping out.
