As Caleb and I stood by the railing, looking out at the ocean, the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard blew its horn and began to depart. I looked down and saw the moving water, and was excited. I loved boats. I felt happy, and free. As I watched the waves rising beneath me, I realized that right now I’d probably be sitting in some stupid class, listening to a teacher drone on. I felt like an adult. Independent. The whole world was mine.
I looked over at Caleb, expecting to see him also happy, and was surprised to see him looking so nervous. I had never seen him like this.
He looked more pale than usual. I wondered if he didn’t like boats, or if maybe he didn’t know how to swim.
I reached over and lay a reassuring hand on his. “You okay?”
He nodded, and swallowed. He clutched the railing, and
