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Show Fair Forever , 117 season. Soon, beaches will empty of tourists andsunbathers, and the sea will begin its angry march7 .-'"-" ; ""-.- '[ - -" •, . * .,"-• ' _>. Tcheck up shore arid discover that the runners are making their way back. Gauging the distance to the lighthouse one last time, I turn. I'm shocked. The crowd has swelled and the railings overlooking the beach are jammed with onlookers. I work my way through the crowd and thread a narrow path, winding my way off the pier down to the finish line. When the first runners come through in ones and twos, everyone cheers. I join in, keeping an eye open for Katie. As the costumed runners begin to arrive, I count two crabs and three porpoise and all shapes offish. Turtles of all sizes. Even someone dressed as seaweed. The loudest cheer erupts for a small school of shrimp herded by a seahorse. When everyone realizes the group all belongs to one family, the pier explodes in applause. , I look everywhere for Katie, but I can't pick her out of the throng. In the shadow of the pier, on a wooden stand, medals are being awarded to the first and second place finishers. Pictures are taken. A crowd knots at the finish line and I realize Til likely, never spot the girl, especially if she dressed up. And that's okay, actually. I won't know what to say. Still, I remember the game last night-her grabbing my arm and squeezing. , I grin at the commotion and realize how happy I am to be a part of it all, even as a spectator. The! cheering and fun are contagious: Next year, I decide, I might run myself. Or at least walk. Maybe I could dress like a clown fish or a puffer. . . . "Hey, Brad!" |