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Show Fair Forever .96 "Amanda sang while she rowed. She sounded like a bird. Like a robin in spring. She stayed and stayed while I waited on the dock. Later, she told me all about you. She told me she was worried. She was concerned you might miss your migration." I listen. "April the ninth. That was the day Amanda rowed out." I feel a knot grow in my stomach as I remember the day. "I won't ever forget," I add quietly. Up channel, I catch sight of a large yacht, cruising at high speed, its lights reflecting in the bay. A fifty-footer, f guess, and I calculate the danger. A boat that size could easily crush my little skiff-swamp me without even noticing. The yacht rushes headlong, straight for Beacon 9, and as it nears, I stand and,yell, saluting with my oar, waving it back and forth to be seen. It comes closer and closer, charging ahead, until at the last minute, the yacht cuts its engines and drifts. I wave in acknowledgment. Thank you for slowing. ,'",,;< v ' , ' • • . 7 The captain gives two short blasts from his horn. You 're welcome. As the yacht drifts someone yells, "You okay?" . "Fine," Tyell back. "Just heading home." . "Need a flare?" he asks. - ' "No thanks, I have one." And I reach under my seat for the bag. I pull the ring and the flare pops and lights, and I wedge it in the coils of my anchor rope on the bow. The yacht salutes again with his horn, and as it passes, I can just make out the writing on its stern. Miami, Florida. It's port of origin. . - I pull on my oars and call out, "Have you changed your mind about France, Cornelius? Amanda didn't think you would go. She said you would choose Florida, |