And then it happened. The thing I was afraid I was no longer capable of, the thing I thought I might never do again. As a laugh escaped from my throat, I realized that no one—and no Bellini—in the world could make me feel as carefree as my sisters.
A FEW HOURS LATER,back on the boat, my sister was saying, in typical Caroline fashion, “Girls, the beach walk was great, but we need a little Yogilates before we get going.”
Emerson and I groaned. “No one wants to exercise after drinking on the beach all afternoon, Caroline. That sounds awful.”
She was already setting up the mats on the bow. I gave Emerson a withering look. “Why?” I asked. “Why do we keep her in our lives?”
“I don’t know,” Emerson said. “I can’t figure it out.”
“It’s because you love me and you know I’m right,” Caroline said.
“Damn it,” Emerson said.
We were only into our second sun salutation when I noticed Emerson’s form looked a little off. Caroline must have noticed it too because she jolted up and screamed “Em!” right as Emerson collapsed to the bow, landing solidly on her right side.
“Oh my God!” I cried, running over to her.
“Did she pass out?” Caroline asked as we crouched around our sister, who had opened her eyes and was looking at us, confused.
She tried to sit up. “No, no. Wait!” I said.
“What is it again?” Caroline asked.
“If it’s red, raise the head,” I said.
“If it’s pale, raise the tail,” Emerson finished. No permanent brain damage.
“She’s definitely red,” Caroline said, sitting Emerson up. “I’m so sorry, Emerson. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” she said. “I think I’m just dehydrated.”
I looked at Caroline skeptically. “I think we need to get you to a doctor just in case,” I said. Caroline nodded in agreement.
“Youguys, absolutely not,” Emerson said. “It’s hot, I haven’t eaten much today, and I’ve been drinking. I’m totally fine.”
“I say better safe than sorry,” Caroline said. “We can get an Uber, run to urgent care...”
“I said no,” Emerson said, taking charge.
I ran into the salon and grabbed a water for her. As she sipped, she said, “OK. Yoga is over. Caroline, you go drive. I want to wake up in Savannah.”
Caroline looked at me warily. “Emerson,” she said, trying again. “We are going to be out at sea. If you need help, the Coast Guard is going to come, and it’s going to be very dramatic.”
“Is that what you want?” I teased. “A dramatic rescue at sea by a hot sailor?”
She smiled. “No. I’m fine. I’m ready to get home. I miss Mark.”
I shrugged at Caroline.
“If you’re sure,” she said.
“Totally sure.”
Emerson turned over her water bottle, gasped, and threw it to the ground like it had suddenly grown fangs and bitten her.
“What?” Caroline asked.
“Are you kidding me? You’re feeding me water out of a number-six plastic? Have I taught you nothing?”
