I have been to four states including Utah.

Colorado, Arizona, and Idaho.

My goal is to go to every state in the country.

That was another reason why I really wanted to go to Las Vegas with Carlene.

One time I heard on TV that you could be an exchange student in the United States. Like if you wanted to go to school in Texas or Minnesota or even Hawaii and you were from stupid Utah, all you had to do was apply and then go live with a family and be their kid for the year and go to a whole new school and eat lobsters if you were in Maine.

I thought Maine might be good.

I told Berkeley that and she said, “They have lobsters in Maine?”

And then she asked me, “Why would you want lobsters?”

I had to explain and then she said she thought that was a good idea but she wouldn’t want to eat lobsters.

And I said, “I think you’d like them,” even though I’d never eaten one or even a shrimp in my life.

Next time I got to the library I was going to apply.

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Dear Dad,

I went back to school today. It was really fun to see all my friends. I’ve been staying home a little bit because of Berkeley’s cough but now I’m back.

We only have two more months left so I have a lot of things to finish. One is a report on an animal native to Utah. I wondered if you had a good idea for that? I was thinking an animal you encounter a lot at Bryce? Wolves? Skunks? Bears?

Also, I might be coming to summer school to help some of the other students. I’m excited! I wanted to know what dates we might come visit you or if you’re coming here, when that is so that I can make sure summer school isn’t at the same time.

Do you think you’ll go to Monster Jam in Las Vegas? I haven’t talked to Carlene about it in a while. Do you ever talk to Chip? Maybe you could see if it’s still okay if I go?

Also, that boy Bart may have been abducted.

I hope you get back to your ranger station or whatever it is soon to get this letter. Am I sending them to the right place?

Love, Olivia

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