12 Chapter 12

“I don’t think so.”

“Why not?”

“Well, why leave the amusement park before trying allthe rides?”

I thought I knew what he meant: explore the island, discover the full story of our situation; but the phrasing struck rather too close to my own imagination for comfort. And, as I sometimes do when unsettled, I said something a bit more outréthan most of me was comfortable with.

What I did, was stare at him in mock outrage, then reach around and gingerly feel my ass.

“I would have thought you’d had your time on thatride.”

For a second, he looked astonished. Then he guffawed and, rubbing his chin, looked away. I grimaced in mortification. He shook his head.

“Well,” he said, “okay. But there areother rides.”

“Oh!” I said, sounding both surprised and also, letting the air out of my playful energy.

“What about exploring?” I offered next. “Or is food more important?”

He considered, then nodded.

“Actually, the first step is—preparation, for both.”