Because of Winn-Dixie

Opal tells Gloria about moving to Naomi with the preacher and leaving her friends behind, about Mama leaving, and about the 10 things she knows about Mama. She talks about missing Mama and how the preacher hides in a turtle shell. Opal talks about finding Winn-Dixie, meeting Miss Franny, and getting a job with Otis at Gertrude’s Pets. She talks about her excitement for Sweetie Pie’s birthday and how Dunlap and Stevie think that Gloria is a witch. Opal insists that the boys are mean and stupid. Gloria nods, and Opal can tell she’s listening with her whole heart. When Opal is done, Gloria suggests that Opal might be more like Mama than she thinks—maybe Opal also has a green thumb. She suggests they plant something and see how it does.

Gloria selects a tree, but it doesn’t look much like a tree—to Opal, it looks like a plant. However, Opal dutifully digs a hole and pats dirt around it. When Opal asks what kind of tree it is, Gloria replies that it’s a wait-and-see tree. In other words, she doesn’t know what it is, but they’ll find out when it grows up. Opal asks if she can visit the tree tomorrow. Gloria says that Opal is always welcome in her garden, but she warns her that the tree won’t look much different by tomorrow. Opal suggests that she’d also like to see Gloria, which makes Gloria harrumph. That night, as the preacher tucks Opal in, Opal tells him about meeting all of her new friends. He kisses Opal and then Winn-Dixie. Winn-Dixie opens his mouth like he’s laughing, and the preacher laughs back.