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Show Fair Forever . 81 "Where were you earlier?" I ask, ignoring his question. He stares at the shore, his eyes blank, vacant. He's trying to remember. "There was a storm," I say, giving him a clue. "I rowed out anyway. I was alone,, except for a turtle." I wait to see how he reacts to that announcement. "You saw a turtle?" he asks, his voice suddenly excited. "Maybe." He's grinning like a little boy, but his smile quickly fades. "Wish I had come." He mutters something I can't understand and spits over the side of his boat. "It was pretty rough," I say. "I shouldn't have come out. My feet were covered in water. I had to bail to make it back. I was worried for a minute that, summer ending or no, I might have pushed my luck, tried too hard to get strong enough to make the light." "Earlier, you say?" His eyes fade blank as he stares toward shore. He's scratching his chin, looking suddenly older and more tired. Somehow he misplaced his day and can't seem to find it. He stares at the water, shaking his head, looking for all the world like a little boy who's lost and confused. "Remember Amanda?" I ask. I want to be sure. His chin hangs open like I've asked the dumbest question. "She rowed out in that skiff," he says, opening his penknife.. "She sure could row." , ! r "She sure could," I say, relaxing a little. - And I talk as he carves. |