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Show Fair Forever 162 When the girl neared shore, Mom jumped into the bay and waded out to the skiff. The water reached her thighs and then her waist. Amanda pulled one last time, and with quivering arms, she stowed the oars. Mom grabbed the bow and Amanda slumped on the bench. Dragging Fair Forever onto the sand, Mom reached out, but as I watched, Amanda showed her hands, palms up, elbows tight to her ribs. Mom gasped. She covered her mouth. Tenderly she reached down and held one of Amanda's elbows. Then reaching around her waist, she lifted her from the skiff as one vould lift an old woman. I started down the stairs. I heard the door slam and the hall squeak. Mom was rushing. By the time I made the kitchen, Mom was already ushering Amanda out the door. 7 need to take Amanda to the clinic,' Mom panted. 7 don't know how long we 11 be.' A dishcloth dropped as Mom closed the door. I walked over and picked it up. It was stained with blood- The Captain leans back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the bay. Far on the horizon the lighthouse blinks, barely visible. "She made it back," he says softly, shaking his head in wonder. Katie is pale and quiet. |