The Eighteenth Year

Chapter 13

2:32 p.m.

Neptune and his guards escorted me back to the dock at my Balboa Island home. I was right underneath the ladder to get out of the water, but I couldn’t do it.

“Kaela,” Neptune said. “This is right for you, you’re family is waiting.”

3:00 p.m.

I surprised my family at home. Derek was crying, he was so happy. My mom and dad hugged me for hours on end, but I didn’t care. Julia spent the night at my house for a month. It was exactly what I had hoped for. I was home.

After I told them about my journey, my mom said that I should take something from it.

“I already have. I have become more self confident and I think I’m going to become a swim teacher so that kids can experience what led me on the greatest adventure of a lifetime.” My mom smiled. “I think that is a wonderful idea. Remember, Courage is a muscle; it is strengthened by use.”

“Yes, and my muscles are a little bit overused.” We all laughed. And Kaela lived happily ever after.