“If there’s any medical emergency on the water, head there immediately. It’s much closer than returning here.”

The briefing ended.

Nobody seemed especially interested.

Everyone just wanted to get on the water.

A little later, Maya and Liam walked over together.

Both were smiling.

“Liam has a question,” Maya said.

Liam looked at us.

“Would it be alright if Maya and I took the last banana boat ride before sunset?”

I glanced at Daniel.

He shrugged.

“They’ll both be wearing life jackets.”

I turned back to Liam.

“How long does it take?”

“About 20 minutes.”

Rebecca smiled.

“We’ve let him go dozens of times.”

“I promise I’ll bring her back before dinner,” Liam added.

Daniel looked at me.

“What do you think?”

Every protective instinct inside me wanted to say no.

Not because of Liam.

Because saying yes meant accepting that Maya was growing up.

She noticed my hesitation.

“Mom.”

One word carried an entire message.

Please trust me.

I smiled.

“Alright.”

Her face lit up.

“Thank you.”

She hugged me quickly before either of us could reconsider.

Daniel laughed.

“I think that hug was mostly for getting permission.”

“I’ll take it.”

A staff member handed them orange life jackets.

Liam checked Maya’s straps before securing his own.

They climbed onto the inflatable with six other riders.

I pulled out my phone.

“Look over here.”

They both turned.

Maya grinned.

Liam raised a thumb.

I took the photo just as the boat began pulling away from the dock.

The inflatable bounced across the golden water while Maya laughed and waved once more.

Daniel put an arm around my shoulders.

“You did good.”

“I almost didn’t.”

“But you did.”

We returned to our chairs.

“They’ll be back before you know it.”

Fifteen minutes passed.

Another banana boat returned.

Families climbed off laughing.

Maya and Liam weren’t among them.

I frowned.

“Maybe they took a longer route.”

Daniel nodded.

“I’m sure that’s all it is.”

I tried to believe him.

Thirty minutes passed.

The sky turned from gold to orange.

Still nothing.

I sat upright.

“Aren’t they taking a while?”

Daniel looked toward the water.

“A little.”

Another boat returned.

Different riders.

Different faces.

To see the full cooking instructions, go to the next page or click the Open button (>) and don't forget to SHARE it with your friends on Facebook.