The other children: Molly, Mary’s twin of the same age, seven-year-old Mike, five-year-old John, and Sila, who was three, were giggling. The only kids not joining in were a ten-year-old girl named Lily and Chloe, who was a year older. Lily and Chloe were basically their helpers. They were wading in the water. Eloise, who had gotten up, whispered into Rosemary’s ear, “Why don’t we distract them?”

Then, to the kids, she said, “Why don’t we take a canoe ride?”

“They’re too young!” Rosemary exclaimed. “Well, I mean John, Sila, Molly, and Mary”

“Don’t worry, they will be fine,” Eloise said. “I have some experience.”

“Okay,” Rosemary said cautiously.

Eloise found a ten-person canoe lying on the beach, and after they dragged it towards the water, they climbed into it together. It fits them perfectly. Rosemary took their lunches in case the little ones got hungry. By that time, the kids were chanting “Canoe!” over and over again. Rosemary and Eloise buckled the children up in their life jackets and pushed them off into the deep, wondrous, scary, and vast ocean. Away from land.

Eloise was feeling excited. Maybe a tad bit too excited. She normally never went on adventures. She loved the ocean, everything about it, the sea creatures, the waves, and the deep blueness of it all. Sadly her friend Rosemary didn’t feel the same. Eloise didn’t understand. How could anyone not like the sea? It’s amazing; it’s spectacular! This time she managed to get Rosemary into a canoe, and she would see how fun it was. 

Eloise and Rosemary had been friends forever, at least as far back as Eloise could remember. Rosemary lived next door. Everyone in the neighborhood is close. That’s why they babysit so many kids. It’s a lot of work, to be honest, but they were paid, making it a good deal in her book.

“I don’t know about this,” said Rosemary, driving Eloise out of her thoughts.

“For the one-hundredth time, we’ll be fine.”

“But still,” Rosemary said.

“But nothing. This is going to be an adventure” Eloise said.

“But Silla, Mary, Molly, and John,” Rosemary said. “What if they fall out of the boat?”

“That won’t happen,” Eloise reassured Rosemary.”

“But…” Rosemary said.

“It won’t,” Eloise said firmly.

“I trust you,” Rosemary finally said.

“Good. Now we can get this adventure started, Eloise said.”

“But we have to be back by noon,” Rosemary reminded her.

Eloise sighed. “We’re already on the boat. What’s to worry about?”

Rosemary bit her lip but didn’t say anything.

“Okay kids, we have to be back by noon, but until then, let’s get this party started,” Eloise said. 

“Yes!” the kids yelled.

“But please stay seated for your safety,” Rosemary said. 

The children looked to Eloise for help, but she just said, “I second it. Sit down.”

Eloise, Rosemary, and their helpers Lily and Chloe took turns paddling the boat. They had fun, talked, and laughed. It was a perfect day for Eloise. 

But then Rosemary said, “Okay, time to go back.”

Eloise froze. Which way was back again, she wondered? She might have skipped over 

that tiny, well big part, of going on a canoe trip. 

“Which way is home? She asked sheepishly. It was almost funny the way Rosemary’s face turned from happy to scared and angry. 

“You forgot the way? Rosemary said urgently.

“Shhhh” Eloise begged. “The kids will hear.”

“Too late,” said Rosemary. The kids had already started whimpering.

“What are we going to do?” asked Rosemary.

“I don’t know,” Eloise said.

Chloe was watching the younger boys, Ricky, Mike, and John, pretend to be pirates walking the plank. She couldn’t help whimpering when she heard Eloise didn’t know where they were. Eloise didn’t think Chloe and the boys heard her, but she was wrong. Somehow, over all their pirate arrs and screams, they still heard.  “You’re kidding, right?” Chloe cried. 

Rosemary and Eloise exchanged a glance. After a few seconds, Eloise responded, “I’m afraid not.” Then she snarkily said, “Chloe, why don’t you tell us the way back? You’re a genius after all.”

That cutting comment brought flashbacks to Chloe of kids being terribly mean and rude to her. Chloe was Asian American. She had long, sleek, black hair. She was very, very smart. This is why everyone was terribly mean to her. She had skipped a grade and nobody wanted to hang out with her.  In elementary school, they simply ignored her, but in middle school, they actively picked on her. She was in 7th grade along with Rosemary and Eloise, and she did help them babysit, but it was more like being forced to hang out. Her parents had bothered her until she finally just gave in. Eloise and Rosemary treated her just as badly as the other kids. Although Chloe was supposed to be babysitting, Rosemary and Eloise, older by just one year, insisted she was just their helper. 

With annoyance in her voice, Chloe made a sarcastic comeback. “You’re a year older than me, and besides, apparently you’re the one leading this trip.”

Eloise looked like she wanted to yank Chloe’s hair. Sila was bawling, and Mary, Molly, John, and Mike were on the verge of tears.

Rosemary said in a mellow voice “Eloise, calm down.” It seemed like Rosemary was taking charge. “Let’s just head in one direction until we reach land.” Nobody had a better idea, so the older girls resumed rowing.