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Show Fair Forever 149 Yeah, right. Why is everything so complicated, I wonder? Going back to school should be a good thing! Riding the bus should be a good thing. Having a party should be a good thing. I touch my scar. I look at Beacon 9 and catch sight of a pelican, sitting on his perch. He opens his wings and drops, gliding silently to the back comer of my skiff. I scoot back in my seat. "You can't come to my party either," I say. "I'm not having one." The pelican cocks his head and stares with tiny eyes. "I think I'll quit school and go live at the lighthouse," I announce. "That's a good idea, don't you think? No parties. No school. No buses. No phone calls to girls." The pelican stretches his neck to the sky and shakes his head. After a minute, he launches from my skiff and rises in a growing circle, landing finally atop Beacon 9. Dropping on the bench, I lay flat on my back and yell at the top of my voice. "Are you out here Cornelius? I'm waiting. If you're going to meet me, it will have to be soon. I'll be taking Fair Forever out of the water." My voice sounds funny, calling from the bench, echoing in the ribs and wood of the skiff. "COOORNEEELIIIUUUSSS!" My words throb from the bench and bounce through the boat. "COOORNEEELIIIUUUSSS!" And that's when I hear it-a loud and distinct thump on the bottom of my skiff. Fair Forever rocks and I scramble to sit up. I look about the boat. Ripples radiate from |
