“The ambulance is coming, hang on, baby. Don’t try to talk,” her husband whispers, brushing her hair out of her face. Then he notices me for the first time.
“Thank you. I don’t know what I would have done if I lost her.” Tears spill from his eyes as his two children catch up and add to the family pile. The woman holds on to her children as she sobs.
Standing, I head back to my belongings. The ambulance siren grows louder as it pulls into the parking lot above the beach entrance.
Two paramedics rush down the wooden ramp with a stretcher between them.
“She’s over there,” I call out.
One of them salutes, and they make their way over to the woman.
I pick up my shirt up off the ground and shake out the excess sand. The cracks in my soul mend slightly with the good deed. Saving that woman was a rush, something I would like to do again. Maybe I could honor Eli this way?
More commotion comes from the parking lot as police and other authority vehicles arrive. A Jeep, labeled Marine Safety Department, pulls up alongside where my car is parked.
A broad-shouldered, tan guy gets out. He’s got the air about him of someone in charge and walks with purpose over to the scene.
I finish putting my pants on and grab the rest of my stuff before jogging over to him. Swallowing down my nerves, I tap him on the shoulder. He spins around and gives me a once-over.
“Hey. I’m Carson. Carson Stagg. I pulled her out of the water.” I sound like a complete idiot. Who introduces themselves like James Bond?
“Great job, son. You a lifeguard?” His question puts me at ease.
“No, but I’m a competitive swimmer. Have been since I was old enough to float on my own. The water is my second home.”
“Well, it’s a good thing you were here then, Carson. I’m Rick Mather, Captain of the Marine Safety Department.” He holds out his hand for me to shake.
I grasp his hand in mine. “Will she be okay?”
The woman had been breathing when I’d left her with the paramedics, but something else could have gone wrong.
“She has a laceration on her leg, but nothing major. You’re her hero today.”
“It was a rush. I’ve never saved anyone before. I could get used to the feeling.”
“Your first time is always the best. I remember mine well.” He gets lost in his mind for a moment, and then brings his attention back to me. “You from around here? I’ve never seen you on the beach before.”
“No, L.A. I was passing through and the water called to me. It’s been a couple of days since I swam.”
“You heading to Mexico?”
“Don’t know. Didn’t really have a destination. I’m relocating, trying to find a place that calls to me.” I don’t know why I’m offering up so much information, but I get some comfort talking to him. It’s been too long since that’s happened.
“Bordentown is a great place to settle. Different from L.A. Nice and laid back, artsy.”
“It’s beautiful. I’d love to stay, but there is the matter of getting a job.” I leave it hanging in the air, hoping he’ll take the bait. My grandmother taught me this tactic. If you let someone think it was their idea, they’re most likely to give you what you want.
“Ever considered being a lifeguard?”
I almost jumped at the question but tried to keep cool as if I was considering it. To be honest, it would be the perfect job since I have no other skills.
“Offering me a job?” I can’t help but give him a little of the Stagg charm. I got that from my grandfather.
He laughs. “Try-outs for the seasonal positions are this weekend. We already know you’re a powerful swimmer. We could use you on the team. The seasonal guys don’t make much, but after the summer, we’re hiring a recurrent lifeguard for the year. It’s a permanent gig. One of my crew moved out east and I’ve been looking to replace her. I’m not going to lie to you, the training is rough. A lot of people fill out the application and most don’t get the job, but I got a good feeling about you.”
Excitement rushes through me. This would be the first time in twenty-nine years that I’d have a paying job. To be able to do something on my own, make my own money regardless of how shitty the pay is, sounds like exactly what I need.
He offers me a business card with the address of the meeting place. “Why don’t you stop by the station tomorrow, and I’ll give you more details. I have an application you can fill out and the waiver. Then we’ll see where you’re at with try-outs this weekend.”
I take the card, rubbing the thick paper in my hand. It feels like a lottery ticket. My new start away from the darkness of my past.
“I’ll be there.”
I give him one last nod and shuffle back to the stairs toward the parking lot. If I’m sticking around, I’ll have to find a hotel for the night. It’s still the off-season in Southern California, and I don’t think I’ll have a problem finding a place.
Starting my car up, I take one more glance over at the water and send up a little thank you to Eli. I have a feeling he had a hand in this. My older brother always pushed me to be better. I just wish he was around so I could tell him.
CHAPTER TWO
THREE MONTHS LATER
BLISS
As soon as my feet touch the ground in this dinky town, dread bubbles up all over again. I don’t know why anyone would get married in a place like this. Hippies and stoners line the streets. Families with screaming babies run through the Sea Lavender Hotel. It’s
