15
Rebecca felt someone’s hands on her face, her arms. She forced her eyes open. The smoke was so heavy she could scarcely see, but she recognized Richie.
She ached all over, but she could feel the heat of the fire. She remembered the blast, the force of it lifting her off her feet. She remembered feeling as if she, like the Celine, was being torn apart, and then hitting the wooden pier so hard it knocked the breath out of her.
She could see that Richie was talking to her, but her ears were so painful, their ringing so loud, she couldn’t begin to hear or respond. All she could think of was that they were in danger there—that they had to get away from the fire. She tried to sit up, and could see the relief on Richie’s face. He quickly helped her and then put his arms around her and lifte
