scurrying about happily. A lazy old turtle floated alongside the pirogue.
I felt myself sit up.
There, just ahead, his shoulders gleaming in the sunlight, was my mythical lover. As I drew closer, the features of his face became clearer and clearer until I recognized it was Pierre.
'I've been waiting for you,' he said, stepping into the water. He took hold of the canoe.
'I came as soon as I could,' I told him.
'It wasn't soon enough.'
We both laughed. He held his hand toward me and I reached and reached and reached. . . . I just couldn't . . . 'Gabrielle!' Mama was crying. 'My Gabrielle!'
I turned slowly and smiled at her. 'It's all right, Mama. I'm fine now.'
Slowly the world behind me began to shrink and darken, but when I turned back to my lover, there was only brightness and warmth.
I was home.
Truly.
I was home.
