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Show Fair Forever - 92 chairs. The moon rose and reflected on the bay. Amanda said, 'I'm going to ask the Great Turtle about you, Bradley. I'm going to ask about your heart. ~ I was shocked by her announcement. 'Do turtles know about hearts?' I asked. 'They might,' she said. 'They 're ancient and wise. I plan to, ask him many, many questions. ' . ' „ ' „ . She seemed to have a lot of plans for that turtle: The moon settled over the bay like it was posing for a picture. Amanda stood and leaned against the railing. She asked, 'How will you celebrate, Bradley?' I wasn 't sure what she meant. I think my eyes were blank. She tried again, 'How will you celebrate when you get your new heart?.' I caught my breath. I hadn 't ever, thought about celebrating. I 'd always thought of the transplant as one more time that doctors could prod and poke and promise I'd feel better. More tests and more drugs. 'I don [t know,' I answered truthfully. 'Should I . celebrate?' > • . 'Absolutely!' She,cried. 'You have.to!' She turned and took my hands. Her \ voice was calm and solemn like someone speaking in church 'Bradley, your new heart, will be a miracle! You '11 be like a baby turtle rushing from his clutch, ready to take on the big world.' She pointed out into the night, straight to the light of Beacon 9. 'You '11 be just like the ocean, alive and strong. Imagine. . . you '11 be able to jump into your skiff and row to that beacon anytime you want. All the way.to the lighthouse, if you want. " / laughed at that idea, but I shouldn 't have. She was being serious. She looked into my eyes, and said, 'Bradley, most people go down a path in life and, before they know it, they make a wrong turn, and then another, and then they can 'tfind their way back. |