The trip was reasonable, the schedule was agreed, and I had planned it with care.

Piper and Quinn were toddlers now, with quick feet, stubborn opinions, and a shared fascination with anything that moved on water.

Piper liked asking questions.

Quinn preferred to announce answers before hearing them.

“Is Daddy on that boat?” Piper asked, pointing at a ferry.

“No, sweetheart.

His ship is the big white one.”

“That one has a slide,” Quinn observed solemnly.