Ways to Make Sunshine

Ryan is surprised to find that her mother does not chastise her for getting her hair wet, instead promising to do her hair when they get home. She tells Ryan that the next time she asks her to do something, Ryan should listen, and Ryan explains what happened with Red at the party. Ryan’s mother is upset to learn that Ryan got into the pool to try and prove something rather than to have fun and reminds her “you don’t ever have to prove yourself” (91) and that she should be her best self for herself, not anyone else.

At school the next day, Ryan and KiKi hear their classmate Hannah Wilkerson practicing for the fourth-grade talent show in the multipurpose room. Ryan acknowledges that Hannah has an amazing singing voice, but as she listens, KiKi states that she does not like Hannah because “she thinks she’s all that” (93). Ryan asks KiKi if she has ever heard Hannah say that, and KiKi admits that she has not. But when KiKi asks if Ryan agrees with her, Ryan says “Yeah. I can tell [...] She thinks she’s all that” (94) even though saying this does not sit well with Ryan.