by Marie Arnold
He’s also really good friends with Egg, the dog. The two of them do yoga in the park every Sunday. There’s another unlikely friendship—Tianna and me. We’re not best friends, but we hang out sometimes, and Carmen comes along too. The more we all get to know each other, the more we find we have in common.
And since I defeated the witch, my Haitian Creole is back! My hair is back the way it was, and, well, I can see what Carmen was talking about. I like my hair the way it was before. I’m teaching Carmen Haitian Creole and she’s teaching me Spanish. And I’m also helping Stephanie with her English so she’s prepared for the day she comes to America.
“Are you ready?” my uncle asks me.
“Yes!” I reply. The day has finally come. We are here at LaGuardia Airport, waiting to pick up my parents.
“Gabrielle, I see them!” my aunt says.
I look at the crowd of people, and I see them—my parents. I run toward them. My dad picks me up and spins me around. My mom kisses and hugs me—way too tightly.
“Gabrielle! We’re so excited to see you. We missed you so much!” she says.
“I missed you too! I have so much to tell you,” I reply.
“That’s good,” my dad says. “We’ll need your help. We don’t know a lot about America. We don’t even speak the language. I’m afraid it will take a long time to learn English.”
I smile back at them. “Lucky for you, I know all about how to deal with being new to America. Now, there are a few rules.”
My dad smiles. “Oh really? Rules?”
“Yes!” I reply confidently.
“And what are they, Gabrielle?” my mom asks.
“Well, the most important rule is this: If you want a mango, buy one at the store. Don’t get one from a witch. She says it’s mostly free, but trust me, it’ll cost you.”
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About the Author
Author photo by Stephanie Girard Photography
MARIE ARNOLD was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and came to America at the age of seven. She grew up in Brooklyn, New York, alongside her extended family. Marie enjoys creating stories full of adventure, and wonder, that center on girls of color. The Year I Flew Away is her debut middle grade novel. She lives in Los Angeles, California.
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