Page 57 of Tiger's Quest
“I like to look at it or cruise on it, but swimming in it scares me. Wading is fine, but that’s about it.”
“Why? I thought you loved stories about the ocean.”
“I do. There are some great books about the sea—Robinson Crusoe,Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,Treasure Island, andMoby Dick.”
“Then why are you afraid?”
“One word.Sharks.”
“Sharks?”
“Yes. Apparently, I need to introduce you to the movieJaws.” I sighed. “I know, statistically speaking, that most beach swimmers aren’t eaten by sharks, but just the fact that I can’t see anything in the water freaks me out.”
“But swimming pools are fine?”
“Yes. I love swimming, but I’ve seen too many televisedShark Weekspecials to feel comfortable in the ocean.”
“Maybe you’d feel differently about diving.”
“Maybe, but I doubt it.”
“I’d like to try it sometime.”
“Be my guest.”
“You know, statistically speaking . . .youare much more likely to get eaten by a tiger.”
He tried to grab my arms, but I darted out of his range and laughed. “Not if the tiger can’t catch me.”
I took off running as fast as I could, and he laughed and chased me back across the sand trying to grab my heels.
He let me elude him for a while, even though I knew he could have overtaken me at any time. Eventually, he scooped me up and threw me over his shoulder.
I laughed. “Come on, Tiger, the water’s getting higher, and we’ve left Kishan to his own devices for too long.”
He carried me back to the blanket and set me down.
I got out the marshmallows to toast. Ren challenged Kishan to a race, going from the blanket to the rocks and back.
“Come on, Kishan, first one back wins.”
“What do I win?”
I suggested, “How about you get the first s’more.”
Kishan shook his head. “How about the prize is a kiss from Kelsey?”
Ren’s face darkened.
I ventured, “Uh, Kishan. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Kishan persisted, “It’s fine, Kelsey. It’ll give him real motivation to try.Unlesshe thinks he’s going to lose.”
Ren growled. “Iwon’tlose.”
Kishan poked Ren’s chest. “On yourbestday, you wouldn’t even see my tail.”
“Fine. Let’s do this.”
