Ellis’s step slowed as she approached the water and wondered who owned these little boats. Hesitation crawled up her spine. Jenny steered Ellis toward the boat that Merrick and Alicia had just boarded. The little boat bobbed in the water against the dock. He held up his hand. Jenny took it and gingerly stepped aboard. Ellis looked out across the ripples of the Persian blue water. A sense of dread welled up in her and her breathing became shallow. “I don’t like going out on the water, do I?” she asked Merrick. “It’s quite safe, I assure you, Ellis,” he answered. “Yes, but I don’t like going out in little boats, do I?” “Jenny, it seems your guest has remembered something about her former life.” Merrick turned to Jenny, who had seated herself. She was looking off to sea and didn’t respond. “It’s all right. Why don’t you all go have your sunset sail around the bay? I can walk home.” Ellis hoped the weariness she felt didn’t show. Ellis stood awkwardly on the rough wooden planks of the dock, knowing that Jenny must want to sail away with Merrick, and was equally certain she could not voluntarily get into the boat.
