The field notes
How it got out of hand.
The sky turned dramatic before anyone had finished arguing about whether the clouds looked worse from the dock. A small sailboat needed a hand, the lighthouse lamp was already glowing, and Sandy started the rescue boat before Robert finished tying his boots.
Sandy took the helm and Robert worked the rescue line from the bow. The waves were big enough for a movie poster, but the plan was simple: get alongside, get the line across, and keep everybody moving toward safe water.
The boat reached the sailboat, the line held, and the lighthouse watched the whole operation end with everyone safe. By the time the storm arrived, Robert and Sandy were back on shore with wet jackets, full smiles, and another story that got better in the telling.