As they finished their meals, Christina said, “The rain has really stopped.”

“Good. I’d like to take a walk. I think I ate too much.”

“It’s your own fault. That clam chowder was crazy good.” She’d enjoy walking in the clear, cold air, too, Christina thought. “Andy, want to go somewhere fun? I mean, the Brant Point lighthouse, the short, fat lighthouse right on the curve of beach entering into the harbor. Have you been there before? Has Wink?”

Andy laughed at her enthusiasm. “I don’t know about Wink, but I haven’t.”

“Good. Get your coat. We’re going for a little adventure.”

They quickly stacked the dishes in the dishwasher and tidied the kitchen in case Mittens felt like exploring. They pulled on their warm coats, wool hats, thick gloves.

“We’ll take my car,” Christina said. “I know where we’re going.”

“Fine,” Andy agreed, sliding into the passenger seat.

Christina drove her car down the quiet streets from town, past the yacht club and the White Elephant hotel and a row of waterfront mansions until they came to the end of the road and the beginning of the beach.

“Take off your shoes and socks,” Christina said. “You don’t want sand in your shoes.”

“Well, I don’t want cold feet!” Andy responded.

“Silly, it’s not that cold.” She whisked off her shoes and jumped out of the car. “Hurry!”

She ran. For a few steps, her feet touched tarmac, and then she was on the beach, running toward the Brant Point lighthouse. She veered around it and raced down to the edge of the water. When Andy caught up with her, she tugged his arm and pointed.

“Look.”

Above them, the clouds were fading from the night sky. Stars came out, twinkling in the dark. Across the harbor, no lights shone—most houses along the harbor front were summer houses. Behind them, the lights of town beamed, but right here at this point, the sky and water were dark.

Then, through the darkness, came the Hy-Line ferry, moving smoothly, even regally, through the waters. From the many passenger windows and the pilothouse, dozens of lights shone, the nautical lights and the colorful Christmas lights strung around the boat. For a few moments, it was as if creatures made of light were headed toward them, and then the ferry moved closer, its engines rumbling as it slowed down for harbor waters, and the lights became brighter, and through the foggy windows shapes and colors moved as people gathered their belongings and got ready to disembark. Soon the large ship was beside the lighthouse and it seemed as big as a castle. Slowly, it turned toward the docking area and slid away.

“That was breathtaking,” Andy said.