A Crack in the Sea by H.M. Bouwman Part 3 Chapters 1-3

limp, wet, or dirty from or as if from rain or mud

Like everyone else, Sang was bedraggled and soaked.

to make or become less sharp

But his imagination felt blunted, and he couldn't take the fantasy any further.

to turn over : UPSET

Thanh worried less about throwing up and more about capsizing and drowning.

to flow or fall rapidly and in large quantity

Sang was small with delicate features, smooth clear skin, and thick hair that cascaded down her back, straight and glossy.

to show disgust or embarrassment at something

He was glad she wasn't mad, but he cringed at what she must think of him.

planned or done in a rough or unskilled way

The boy's crudely cut hair accented his small neat face, now at rest.

to move slowly and without purpose

Dawdling on the road home, he wished too that could make the words on the paper rearrange themselves into something full of praise.

to make more interesting by exaggerating or adding details

Sang was always finding pretty rocks and flowers to decorate their home, and embroidering everything she could with intricate designs.

to make or copy (something, such as a document or signature) falsely in order to deceive someone

Thanh and Sang's father, meanwhile, had frantically forged new identity papers for himself and moved his family to his wife's village to disappear.

not able to be corrected or changed

So incorrigible that even though he promised to do better next time, every new day was a new adventure in messing up.

a narrow area of water that goes into the land from a sea or lake

Uncle Truc's brother led them away from the village and to a secluded inlet where he had stored his boat.

to lie around lazily

Her head lolled to one side.

funny because of being ridiculous : ABSURD

She snorted like he'd said something ludicrous, then spoke in her caramel sauce voice.

to pass or spread through (something)

Sang's cooking permeated the house.

to gradually become smaller, weaker, or less before stopping or ending

And that was where the daydream petered out, for how could he get an education?

hidden from view : private and not used or seen by many people

Uncle Truc's brother led them away from the village and to a secluded inlet where he had stored his boat.

very heavy and wet

The Turtle and the other kid crouched next to him, tense and sodden messes.

short, broad, and sturdy in build

Uncle Truc's brother, though the elder, was shorter than Uncle Truc and stockier.

free from disturbance or turmoil

The water lay tranquil - a person could almost walk on it.

to search through (something) in order to find someone or something

Uncle Truc's wide-shouldered brother looked at ease, like he was simply on a job trawling up the river to deliver goods.

to force (someone or something) into a very small or narrow space

There wasn't any rope left, so she wedged herself between Thanh and Sang.