Final answer:
"If you can save up enough babysitting money to pay for half of the plane ticket, I will let you go," she replied. I was thrilled!
Explanation:
The completion for the first blank is "save," as the context suggests the need for the protagonist to accumulate enough money for the plane ticket. This aligns with the common understanding that one needs to save money to afford expenses. For the second blank, the appropriate word is "was." The past tense is used here to convey the emotional state of the protagonist at that moment in the narrative—expressing excitement and joy upon hearing the favorable response from the mother.
In the narrative context, the protagonist's request to visit a cousin is contingent upon their ability to contribute financially by saving up money. The use of "save" implies a financial goal, suggesting that the protagonist needs to accumulate sufficient funds from babysitting to cover half of the plane ticket expenses. This requirement introduces an element of responsibility and independence for the protagonist, highlighting the theme of financial autonomy and the challenges faced by individuals, especially teenagers, in achieving their desires.
The choice of "was" in the second blank conveys a snapshot of the protagonist's emotional state at that specific moment—excitement and joy about the prospect of being able to undertake the desired journey. The combination of these words contributes to setting the tone and context for Griffin's personal narrative, "Saving Up."