45. Alone. Sophie writes that, when she was at the helm, she turned and saw Uncle Stew with his arm around Brian, and Uncle Mo with his arm around Cody, and then Uncle Dock holding the rail, looking out at the sea. She says that she wanted to leave the helm and put her arm around Uncle Dock, or vice-versa. But she couldn’t leave the helm. She says, “we are all alone out here.”
Turning to see everyone (but Dock) holding one another in compassion and love, Sophie must miss her father and mother back in Kentucky. Left facing what seems like an imminent death without the support of her family, she must feel incredibly frightened and alone.