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buildings were many much shorter ones along streets that, from above, seemed as spontaneous as the rivers' flow. |
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Along one river, at the far edge of town, was a steep hillside. On the more level shore, beyond where the two rivers joined to form the third, sat a round stadium. What was it called? Oh, yesvery appropriate. Three Rivers, if Mariah recalled correctly, though she wasn't much of a sports fan. |
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But what really captured her attention was the park at the point of the triangle. In its center geometric forms, oddly star-shaped, bisected its green surface. Walkways lined with trees spanned the riverbanks, and at the point where the rivers met stood a fountain, its plume of water reaching toward the sky. |
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The rivers appeared to flow lazily. A few small boats meandered clown them; she could barely make them out but saw their trailing wakes. There were a few larger craft, too. |
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Mariah looked forward to seeing the rivers more closely. Perhaps taking a boat ride. |
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Visiting that intriguing park. |
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"Nice town, isn't it?" Helen asked. Despite knowing she was being rude, Mariah ignored her. She wanted more than anything to soak in all she saw by herself. |
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She realized she'd been holding her breath, and with a silent laugh at herself drew in some air, then let it out again. How ridiculous could she be! She practically had her nose pressed against the coolness of the plane's small window, the proverbial child at the candy shop entry aching to be inside. |
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She, instead, yearned to be on the ground. In the park. |
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The plane continued its circle. She sighed, eager to be down, to explore this town. An ugly city? Not from this angle. Dirty? No; it sparkled in the sun beneath the cloud-free sky. How had it ever been tainted with such criticism? Maybe in time gone by it had been a hellhole. But today it was wonderful. |
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Mariah felt herself smiling. No, glowing. She was filled with a delightful sense of anticipation. |
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Could this be it? Might her quest be at an end? |
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