There's a kind of radar that you get, after years of being talked about and made fun of by other people. You can almost smell it when it's about to happen, can recognize instantly the sound of a hushed voice, lowered just enough to make whatever is said okay. I had only been in Colby for a few weeks. But I had not forgotten.

"It's gonna be okay," I said. It was the first time in a long time that I believed it. "It will."

And that was it. All this buildup to a great leap, and I didn't fall or fly. Instead I found myself back on the edge of the cliff, blinking, wondering if I'd ever jumped at all. It's not supposed to be like this.

Impulsiveness can be charming but deliberation can have an appeal, as well.

And for one second, it was like I could feel the timing clicking together, finally pieces falling into place.

I bet you can't eat ten bananas!" "I bet you're right.

Rogerson," I asked him sweetly as we sat watching a video in the pool house, "where would I find the pelagic zone?" "In the open sea," he said. "Now shut up and eat your Junior Mints.