Talk of continuing to have some kind of relationship after their week in paradise ended made her happy. “It’s nice that you’d like to wait for me.”
A pleasant peace overcame them as they rode in silence. Ten minutes later, the engine cut off, and the crew tied the boat to the mooring lines. The crew and divers readied their equipment for the second dive.
After donning and securing their equipment, everyone double-checked that their dive lights worked before entering the water by jumping off the back of the boat.
“Ready, dolcezza?” Tony dipped his mask into the water and waited for her response.
She gave him an enthusiastic nod. “I can’t wait to see the coral reef at night.”
Tony gave her a kiss on the cheek before putting his mask on; a rush of warmth spread throughout her body. As she donned her own mask, she couldn’t help but think about returning to the villa later tonight. Tony had proven to be an adventurous and insatiable lover.
Tony and Carm made their descent following the dive instructor and the three other classmates. Because none of the students in the class were night certified yet, they would all have to stay as close as possible to their instructor. He swam slowly enough that they could keep up and still take in their surroundings.
Carm marveled again at how different everything appeared in the dark. All she could see was what was illuminated by the beams of their lights. When an adult reef shark swam into the glow of her dive light, she stopped moving her fins, and her heart raced with fight-or-flight adrenaline until she rationally told herself the creature meant her no harm. Tony took her hand, and she realized everyone in the group remained stock-still as well, looking on in wonder at such a close encounter.
Moments later, they resumed their dive and swam deeper toward the rock outcropping they’d explored Thursday. As they neared the arch, she released Tony’s hand to swim ahead. Everywhere she looked on the rock and coral, she found new creatures she hadn’t seen during the daytime dive. Some of the fish literally appeared to glow in the dark as they flitted in and out of the light’s beam. There were many she’d never seen before.
Sharing this experience with Tony made it even more special.
The dive instructor swam under the archway; Carm followed the other divers with Tony behind her. Knowing he had her back made her feel protected.
The sheltered area under the arch was teeming with life, and Carm moved closer to the coral and rock wall to see what her light would reveal. Tony swam up beside her and gestured the symbol for an octopus then pointed toward it. Carm’s eyes opened wide with amazement. She marveled at how active it was; the only ones she’d seen in the daytime were always tucked into rock crevices hiding or sleeping. The color of its skin changed to match the nearby coral as it searched for food. Tony seemed to be equally mesmerized, and they stayed a bit longer to watch. When he signaled that the group was leaving, she nodded, and Tony led the way. So far, the dive had turned out even better than anticipated.
Suddenly, something darted from the outcropping, startling her. Carm jerked away, snagging her regulator hose on a jagged rock and ripping it out of her mouth. As she grabbed for it, her hand released her dive light. The erratic flashes of light disoriented her, and panic ensued. Without her regulator, she couldn’t breathe under water.
Carm’s mind flashed back to when she was six and had followed her two teenaged brothers, Gino and Marc, into the closed swimming pool at her parents’ condo one night. Knowing late-night swims were forbidden, the boys had left the lights off. Not one to be left out of an adventure, Carm had slipped from her bedroom and into the pool unseen, planning to sneak up on them. Still wearing her summer pjs and hugging her stuffed Wolfie, she’d been snagged by the pool’s filter and sucked against it. Carm had tried to scream but only managed to suck water into her lungs. She’d tugged at her pj top, trying to pull herself free, but without success. The world had gone black that night, because she’d lost consciousness.
Carm couldn’t let that happen tonight. She kicked her fins to try to pull away but hit her head on the rocks above her. Closing her eyes in pain, she wanted to scream for help, but only managed to gulp water into her lungs. Where was that damned mouthpiece? Frantic to locate her regulator, she reached behind her to try and locate the hose which should be attached. Her dive light dangled from her wrist, continuing to cast frenzied flashes and beams of light around her.
Help, Gino!
No, Gino’s dead.
Where was Tony? The instructor?
Carm tried in vain to locate the regulator. She couldn’t go much longer without air.
Out of nowhere, a hand grabbed her upper arm. Another hand took her by the chin, forcefully turning her in his direction.
Tony!
He released her arm and using his dive light located and grabbed her mouthpiece. Pulling down her chin, he placed the regulator between her lips and purged it.
Carm sucked in much-needed air, which only led to her coughing uncontrollably as her body attempted to clear her throat and lungs of water. Her chest grew tighter and her breathing more rapid and shallow. Panic erupted again.
Tony wrapped his arms around her in a bear hug against his chest, making her feel safe. Gradually, Carmella’s heartbeat began to slow and her breathing steadied somewhat. After a minute, Tony pulled away to assess her in the beam of his dive light. She gestured that she was okay, even though she wasn’t yet sure. As if sensing her uncertainty, Tony indicated that he wanted her to maintain eye contact with him by pointing two fingers toward his eyes then gestured
