THE KAYAK is a short story that was published in Takes: Stories for Young Adults by Thistledown Press. The story is used in the language curriculum of many school boards throughout Canada and the USA.

Teresa is physically disabled and feels smothered by her over-bearing parents, but finds her freedom and independence by kayaking. She in turn becomes a heroine and saves a young wind surfer from drowning. Eventually, she learns to find herself on land as well as on the water becoming empowered as she takes charge of her own life and the land and water merge together.