the raft

  The driver went to the rear of the truck, opened it, and pulled out a sixteen-foot Kevlar canoe, with paddles taped to the thwarts. It was a beautiful canoe, light and graceful, with gently curving lines that made it look wonderfully easy to paddle.
  Written in gold letters on each side of the bow were the words:
  THE RAFT
  “It’s from a man named Derek Holtzer,” the driver said, setting the canoe on the lawn. “There’s a note taped inside.”
  He climbed back in the truck and drove away and Brian found the note.
  “Next time,” he read aloud, “it won’t be so hard to paddle. Thanks.”