Rachel had never visited the tropics,never ventured south of the line where it is sure to freeze at least once each year. But the high school math teacher took a chance on adventure, dug into her savings and flew far below the winter frosts alone and spent six days reading in her room, too shy to venture out alone. She told all her friends it was a fine trip, that she could hear palm fronds rustling in pre-dawn breezes
just outside her room.