title: Starfish On Thursday: essays
author: Amie C. Ryan
description: Amie Ryan is a native of Seattle, WA. who first became known to readers with her viral smash, The Seattle NO. She is also the author of the essay collection Green Shoes Mean I Love You. Ryan is known for her humor, keen observations, and fresh wit.
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  For Aldrin
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I would like to thank T.L. Morganfield for her critique and Ark Redwood, the
  head gardener at Chalice Well, for his corrections about the garden. All
  mistakes are mine. Special thanks to Stephen Mehler for his unflagging
  support, and to my mother for everything.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Prologue
  
  
  Alexander Cagliostro balanced on the side of the yacht, then did a back roll
  and fell into the warm water. With a kick, he surfaced, tested the airflow in
  his special face mask, then took the extra air tanks from his assistant, Karl
  Mueller. He tied his on and looked around for Miriam. Another splash announced
  her arrival. He waited while she adjusted her own equipment, then motioned for
  them to submerge.
  
  
  The turquoise waters of the Caribbean darkened to a royal blue as they swam
  toward the bottom. A yellow cloud of Spanish Hogfish turned as one and headed
  away from the two divers. When he could see the bottom clearly, Cagliostro
  leveled out and t