alightmistrolledin,obsgthePacific.Ratherthanturnback,wedecidedtopiallcrestbeachbesideMcWayFalls,ay-fohtdropofwaterthatplungesfromthegraniteclifftothesea.Wesawnoothercarsonthewayinandthoughttheplaceoursaloerlunch,TessandIstretchedoutonabla,andEddie,alloffiveyearsoldandfullofenergy,hadtherunofthesand.Afewseagullslaughedatusfromrocks,andinourseclusiopeaceforthefirsttimeinages.

    Maybetherhythmofthetidesorthefreshseaairdidusinafterlunch.TessandIdozedonthebla.Ihadastrangedream,ohadnotvisitedmeinalong,longtime.Iwasbackamongthehobgoblinsaswestalkedtheboylikeaprideoflions.Ireachedintoahollowtreeandpulledathisleguntilhesquirmedoutlikeabreachedbaby.Terrorfilledhiseyeswhenhebeheldhislivingrefle.Therestofourwildtribestoodaround,watg,tinganevilsong.Iwasabouttotakehislifeandleavehimwithmiheboyscreamed.

    Ridihermalsaboveus,aglidinggullcried,theoverthewaves.Tesslaysleeping,geousinreposebesideme,andathreadoflustwormedthroughme.Iburiedmyheadathernapeandnuzzledherawake,ahrewherarmsaroundmybackalmosttoprotectherself.ingtheblaaroundus,Ilayontopofher,removingherlayers.Webeganlaughingandrogeachotherthroughourchuckles.Shestoppedsuddenlyandwhisperedtome,"Henry,doyouknowwhereyouare?"

    "Imwithyou."

    "Henry,Henry,stop.Henry,where’sEddie?"

    Irolledoffherandsituatedmyself.Thefogthiedabit,blurrioursofasmallrockypeninsulathatjuttedoutintothesea.Ahardypatchofifersgtoitsgraniteskull.Behindus,thewaterfallrandowntothesandatlowtide.Nootherhesurfagainstsh