I look at Pa's familiar, kind, blue eyes.

"Where do I begin?"

He smiles.

"Wherever you want to [my Nori.]"

I nod.

"Then I'll begin with my tail. My Mom hated it. She was always trying to get rid of it but she never could. Sometimes she'd vent her frustration about that by cutting my back. I guess you saw my scars. I wasn't really sure how to tell you about them and, since I didn't really want to, I hid them in every way I could. I'm surprised I was able to hide them for so long, mainly because there's 12..." "You kept track of them?"

I nod.

"Wasn't much else I could do with them anyway. I..." My eyes well up with tears. "I'm sorry I hid them."

I blink my tears back.

"As I'm sure you know, my tail is an otter's. I don't know why I have it. I don't think I ever will. But, as you can see, it's a part of me. I...think it makes me who I am because I'm certain that I wouldn't feel like myself without it. I'm not exactly sure how much of my DNA is otter. I've tried to secretly figure out but I've never had much luck. I know I've always had my tail, much to my Mom's chagrin. What else should I tell you? Oh. I was valedictorian. I couldn't give my speech though. I had a good one but Mom burned it. As you probably know, she also burned my cap and gown. I easily managed to save my tassel but I just barely managed to save my diploma. You saw I didn't have much stuff besides that."

Pa nods as he continues to carefully apply the aloe vera.

"I didn't just wake up from nightmares. In the loosest sense of the word my life was a nightmare. You've seen my diary. The ending's kind of fitting because, well, the next day I got a new beginning. You saved me." "Well, that's what heroes do. Just about done here."

I realize he needs my tail. I place it in his hands as carefully as I can. He smiles.

"I still think it's beautiful." "Thanks. I'm glad you like my [tail] even though it's kind of a mess right now." "Nori, I like everything about you." I grin. "And I like everything about you. Even if you didn't have your powers, I'd still like you. You'd still be my hero."

Later, I'm in new clothes as I stand before my grandparents.

"Hi."

They smile at me, giving me a warm feeling that I really like. I like everything about my family. Especially knowing I have one. It tells me everything will be alright.