Out of My Heart

Although the lake is stunning in its colors, Melody cannot take her eyes off the boy from the campfire. Then he waves to her. The two, smiling, initially communicate by pointing at things, like the happy families passing by on boats or the birds flying low over the water. Then the boy, with his walker, comes over and says how much he would love to live on a boat. Melody is frustrated. There is so much she wants to say, but it is all “stuck inside her” (150). She realizes though she is not helpless—and she types out her name. He tells her his name is Noah. The two agree to meet that night by the campfire.

After a pizza dinner, the campers head to the fire pit. Other campers, including the boys, are now warming up to the camp experience. They introduce themselves around the fire. Melody sees other campers using Medi-Talkers and relaxes. The campers toss pinecones into the fire to watch them burn. Trinity asks Melody if she might like to move closer to the fire, and Melody agrees. The campers enjoy the night, singing songs and laughing. Melody looks up at the night sky and takes in the shimmering stars.