ON THE TOP DECK OF the ship officers waited for the stretcher to arrive. When they were almost to the designated spot one of the officers beside the stretcher spoke into his headset and a few minutes later the rescue helicopter appeared over their heads in the sky and proceeded to hover. The doors opened in the red and white Italian coast guard helicopter and straps descended with an extra harness attached for Nick. The two coast guard officers expertly strapped the stretcher into place and guided the stretcher up until it disappeared into the helicopter.
Another strap was thrown out the door and Nick attached himself with a habit that bespoke years of experience. He was swiftly pulled up into the machine and it sharply banked and swiftly left the ship.
Nick held Maggie’s hand and told h
