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Isaac grew rounder and more smiley and the rains waned and then stopped. Timothy found himself in a new life rhythm and was surprised that it was good. Prema came many mornings to watch Isaac while Timothy left to swim or take a walk on the beach. The beach filled with other travelers so quickly that Timothy sometimes wondered if it was the same beach as the empty place he had moved into. He still hadn't seen any dolphins. The sun turned the waves to slate and green and gold as it fell toward the sea in the late afternoon.
Isaac put on weight, learned to sit, and began laughing, mostly when Timothy looked at him suddenly and said "Boo!" The gurgle of his laugh was so joyous that Timothy felt even more warmth slipping into the hurt places inside him. One month went by, and then two. Wi
