Page 10 of Always Another Sunset

JC nodded. “I understand that,” she said, still assisting Bella in a way that was both helpful and distracting. “But we are not in a race, and I want us all to stay together right now.” Not wanting to waste any breath arguing the point, Bella kept climbing.At least we will be going downhill soon,she thought.I only hope I will have the strength to paddle once we get there.

Before long they approached the spot where she and JC had stopped to appreciate the view. A glance as they passed let Bella know they weren’t kidding that the ocean looked rougher. The amount of white lines on the water made her worry they were too late.

Clearly seeing Bella’s worried expression, JC leaned closer. “Don’t get overly anxious about this, Bella,” she said. “We will go together, just like before. And well…”

“Well, what?” Bella gasped, not sure what she expected, but if JC believed she wasn’t going to be anxious, she didn’t remember her as well as Bella thought. When JC didn’t finish her sentence right away, Bella glanced at her only to see the woman studying her face even as they walked. “Should I be worried about what you’re going to say?”

JC shook her head. “You should not,” she said. “I was only going to tell you I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“Oh,” Bella said between gasps. “Thank you.” Even through the pain in her legs from hiking fast, she felt a tug of tenderness in her chest knowing JC cared so much. The kindness and consideration were something she did remember from college—JC always watching out for her and keeping her safe.Just another thing I didn’t realize I missed so much,she thought.Until now.As she reflected on that reality while putting one foot in front of the other, she had to admit that no one had ever treated her a special as JC.

11

Watching a wave crash and then run up the beach, JC was even happier they decided to leave. The surf had raised considerably, and a strong wind threatened worse weather to come.This is going to be a rough ride back,she thought and glanced at Blake. Their eyes met, and it was clear from the concern on his face that he felt the same. “Okay,” JC said as she moved to help tie everyone’s bags onto the front and back of his kayak. “Lifejackets on. Make sure the straps are pulled tight. We’re going to make a quick trip of this.”

Knowing without even having to look that Bella would be even more anxious than the rest, she picked up Bella’s life vest from the pile and took it to her. “Thank you,” Bella said, reaching for the vest. JC’s guess was right, the woman was pale, and her eyes were wide. Without another word, she dressed and clipped the fasteners together to secure the vest around her.

JC moved closer. “Here,” she said, reaching for the top strap on the life vest. “Let me help with these.” With expert fingers, she pulled on the black nylon until the device was more secure. “How does that feel?”

When Bella didn’t answer, she looked at her face. Bella stared hard at JC. “Be honest with me,” she said. “We’re going to tip over, aren’t we. I’m going to have to swim.” It wasn’t a question, and the resignation in her voice would have been almost humorous to JC if the woman wasn’t so utterly serious. Unlike JC who was always comfortable in the water, going in the ocean, especially with it so rough, was possibly Bella’s worst-case scenario.

Knowing she had to be honest, JC nodded. “There’s a possibility, but it is small. Remember, I’ve navigated this stretch of water hundreds of times in all kinds of weather,” she said. “What I want is for you to stay in your seat and not let go of the paddle. But keep it out of the water until I tell you when to start rowing.” She smiled, hoping to look as reassuring as possible. “Then we will go like hell.” When Bella didn’t smile back or even reply, JC went on instinct and took her hand. “Bella, you can do this. No matter what you’re thinking, you will handle it because you’re brave and resourceful, and I will be with you. We will do this together.”

The message seemed to get through because Bella grasped JC’s hand, nodding, slight at first, but then with more confidence. “You’re right,” she said. “I can be brave, and we will do this.”

“Exactly,” JC said, and knowing to capitalize on Bella’s moment of confidence, she led her to their kayak. Blake had already unfastened it from the rope that kept it safely ashore during their hike. Standing close to hold the craft steady, he waited for JC to help Bella into her spot at the front. “Remember, focus on staying in your seat. We will rock some, but not tip over,” she gave Bella’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze before letting go. “I promise.”

Not wasting a second, JC moved to the back of the kayak while Blake handed Bella her paddle. “JC’s the best kayaker on Oahu,” he said to her. “So have some fun with it.” Then, he moved to JC, handing her the other paddle. “Ready?”

“Are you three okay launching on your own?” JC asked, knowing she was responsible for the entire party. Bella was important to her, and her highest priority if she was honest with herself, but so was the safety of everyone else.

Blake nodded. “Yes,” he said. “We will be right behind you if you need anything.”

Reassured, JC held her paddle in one hand, took ahold of the kayak with the other, and started watching the waves come in to get her timing. “Meet you over there,” she said before looking to her passenger. “Here we go, Bella.” The woman nodded, and as if on a cue, JC and Blake started to push. After three steps, she leaped onto the kayak while he gave them a final heave. The minute her butt hit the seat, she threw all her focus into paddling with rapid, strong strokes. The kayak plowed through the oncoming wave, but the ones behind it were not so easy. Three waves back, she could see a bit of a monster building and knew that staying upright would be difficult if it crested before they were past it. Worst case scenario, if it did roll before she was over, she could spin the kayak to go with the flow and keep them vertical. But the choice would mean riding the wave back ashore to the little island where they started. Relaunching would only get more challenging as time passed and the storm closed in. Truly the clock worked against them, and she sliced the kayak through the water with a strength built over years on the ocean. The race was on.

Bella stared straight ahead,doing exactly what JC instructed and focusing on staying in her seat. It wasn’t going to be easy though, and she knew it. There was a wave coming that could not miss knocking them over. White had already formed along a knife’s edge in the turquoise blue water. As crazy as it was, because JC surely would already be aware of the oncoming threat, Bella wanted to call out a warning. But when she opened her mouth to yell, only a croak came out of her dry throat. Impulsively, she wanted to paddle or do something to avoid the collision, but JC hadn’t told her to start.And my flailing about would only make our progress worse, she thought, instinctively knowing bad paddling was worse than no paddling.And we are moving fast.She eyed the wave growing as the kayak bore down on it.But so is the wave.

“Hang on, Bella!” JC yelled, sounding a little out of breath. “Don’t panic and stay in your seat.” Then, they met the wave head-on the moment the water started to curl toward them. The kayak bucked, and Bella grasped her paddle in one hand and the rope tied in loops along the side with the other. As the nose lifted, it seemed impossible they wouldn’t tip. A million backup plans for after they rolled ran through Bella’s mind in the blink of an eye—hang on to the paddle, grab a water bottle in case they needed it to survive later, try to float on her back… all of which were probably worthless, but her reasoning mind had to grasp at something. Just when tipping over and going into the water seemed inevitable, they were through the top of the wave and racing down the other side. JC let out a whoop of victory, and Bella was sure she heard her laugh before getting back to business. “Now paddle Bella. One, two. One, two.”

Not wasting a second, Bella obeyed because, in her opinion, they weren’t out of the forest yet.Or, in this case, out of the water,she thought.I don’t care how fun JC thinks this is, I see plenty more waves coming.They did make easier headway though, and before long, they were riding with the current forcing them toward the other shore. The already strong wind started to blow harder and pushed at their backs. On their final run to the beach, Bella felt the first heavy drops of rain hit her face. The predicted storm had arrived in full force.And we beat it.If she was being honest with herself, Bella felt a sense of accomplishment for having survived the day, even with JC’s reassurances.

As she watched, Blake and the others caught up to them. Once again, they made landing look easy but at least it meant Blake could wait for them knee-deep in the water as JC steered to shore. The man grabbed the front tie and started to drag them onto the sand as Bella felt JC step off the kayak. Between the two of them, they moved the seated Bella all the way out of the water.

Once clear, JC held out her hand. “We have arrived,” she said with a smile. It was more relaxed than before, letting Bella know the woman had been more worried about the trip across than she initially let on. “Follow the others to the van, and Blake and I will bring up the stuff.” Bella took the offering, loving the warmth that radiated from contact with JC’s strong hand.

Standing, she didn’t think she was ever happier to be on solid ground. “Thank you,” she said, looking into JC’s eyes. “For getting us back safely. I know it wasn’t as easy as you made it seem.”

JC shrugged, still holding Bella’s hand. “That first big wave made me wonder,” she said with a smile. “But the rest was a piece of cake. And you helped too.”

With a scoff, Bella was about to dispute the claim when the newlyweds joined them. “Wasn’t that a trip?” the bride asked, absolutely beaming from the excitement of the endeavor. “I think I like ocean kayaking more than white water now.” Bella didn’t know how to comment. There was little chance she would ever agree to do either again, so which was better was irrelevant.

Slowly, JC let go of Bella’s hand, clearly not wanting to call attention to the fact she held a customer’s hand. “They both have their advantages and challenges,” JC said. “But the lack of rocks to bash against gives ocean kayaking the win with me.”

The bride laughed. “Good point,” she said. “We will so be back for another run soon.”

“We’d love to have you,” JC said. “Once everyone is loaded up, I will hand out some gift cards that will cover another visit.” She looked at Bella. “Hopefully, you’ll consider going again soon too.”

Before she flat out refused the offer as insanity, Bella paused.What if that’s the only way I’ll be able to see JC again?she wondered.If that is the case, then I might have to.“We’ll see,” was all she said and hoped there was another way.

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