Chapter 2

I remember a couple of somersaults and some scraping and dragging and a turtle that looked disgusted or terrified, I don’t know which. By this time, I had sand and salt water in my eyes and really couldn’t even see. If I hadn’t been studying karate, I’m sure I would have died. When my body hit bottom, I instinctively rolled with it, backwards, and that was apparently (since I lived) the exact and only right thing to do. Was I just lucky, or had it been destiny? I don’t know, but it gave me the chance to know which way was up. The water got lighter and thinner, and as I neared the surface, I was able to feelthe bottom under my feet and stand up, wobbly and insecure. I may have been in shock, actually, but I wassomewhat used to rolling around and taking punches. Though this had been incredibly different, there was still so much of my training and reactions that kept me from being completely at the mercy of the sea.

As I dragged myself and stumbled toward the beach, someone helped me up and wiped the blood off my eyebrow. Wincing, even with my blurred and gritty vision, I could see that. He offered to drive me to his doctor. I really had no choice but to take him up on it. The only other people there were locals who ignored us and a family with a young pit bull that was trying to nip at my ankles until I kicked him, accidentally. Okay, a bit on purpose, but still.

But back to reality. Here I sat, on a bench somewhere on Maui, alone, half blind, and wearing nothing but my bathing suit and a borrowed shirt. And those huge, ugly, wrap-around almost black sunglasses they’d given me. All I needed now was a damn dog and a white cane. I could work up a really good pity party for myself, I thought, thinking about how much practice I’d had with my former lover. And then knowing that what I’d had with my karate classes was what I should be thinking about and grateful for.

Someone sat down beside me and put a hand on my shoulder. “Ready to go back and get your things?” a familiar voice said.

It was the man who had brought me here. He had waited; I don’t know why I hadn’t thought he would. I felt like crying, I was so grateful. Afterward, after all the crises and terror is over, that’s when things usually hit me, and it tried to do so now.

Of course, I had no idea what he looked like, unless he was the fine, handsome guy in board shorts I’d seen coming out of the water as I went in. But the first wave hit me, and I got tumbled so fast. I mean, come on, I’ve been to the beach, I’ve lived near the ocean, but this shore break was incredible! I am lucky I lived, I knew that. My head still felt full of sand. Luckily, my hair was short and sandy-colored anyway, ha ha. I wished I’d been wearing more than a Speedo, though. Well, maybe I’m lucky I still was.

“I forgot you can’t see me yet. I’m the guy who brought you here. I saw you go in just as that wave wascoming, and I was too far away to warn you. I’m so sorry. I’m assuming you’re visiting here? Oh, my name is Steven. My shirt looks good on you. You should keep it.”

“I don’t know how to thank you. You probably saved my life,” I blurted.

“Oh, that was nothing. I saw how you coped with the backwash. That was impressive. How did you know to roll like that?”

“Karate lessons,” I said, thinking that must sound very unimpressive, but it was the truth. “I’m not a surfer or waterman at all. I just know how to duck and roll.”

“Well, you did great,” Steven said, “I know some of that myself.” He then helped me to my feet. “Where’s your white cane? Oh, I guess I’m it. Say, no insult, but I hope, I mean I bet, you’ll clean up well. Here’s my car.”

The traffic must have been heavier now. I wondered how long we’d been at the doctor’s office. They hadsaid it was okay about not having my insurance card or cash with me, that they knew my rescuer would be good for it if I didn’t come back with them. Besides, you had to do good once in a while, right? Also, I’d mentioned where I worked, so they had that to go on. I was actually surprised I remembered my name and work place, the way my head was hurting. Why hadn’t I thought to bring my things? They were right inthe car. We must have walked right past it.