The quiet moment with her husband was there for taking, and Magema stole the opportunity. Her embrace was as warm as the evening Summer air. Their half filled wine glasses clinked as his fingers weaved through hers. From the balcony of their rental property Able and Magema watched their children play with their cousins on and off the dock below. Between the sounds of dishes being washed in the kitchen, the quiet hum of the stereo, the splashes of cannonballs and children's laughter, there wasn't much room, nor necessity, for conversation. Instead Magema spoke through affectionate eyelash grazes against the corner of her husband's jaw as her head snugged into the crook of his neck.
Under the lush hush they shared a soft kiss, swaying beneath the falling light. Within each other arms they let their minds wander from this to that and sipped in the silence. Able's thoughts moved from awe, to his children, to the fire pit, and the kindling he'd need to find before dark. Magema's voice broke the evening's ambience. "Have you noticed Jeffry hasn't been swimming with the others?"
Their focus zeroed down to the dock where their little guy was running and shouting with the rest of the children. He had his life jacket zipped, and little neon water-wings on each arm. By all appearances he was enjoying himself. With a little scrutiny it was obvious that he was the only child whose hair wasn't wet, and whose swimsuit wasn't leaving a dripping trail of lake water across the dock. It was peculiar. Both parents had seen him swim countless times before, at his grandparents, at birthday parties, at the rec centre. As with all their kids Able had taken time to teach him how to swim a year or two prior.
Confused looks bounced between the parents. What was happening with their son? A boy whose bravery leaned to recklessness, and decisions often led to an array of bumps and scrapes. "i mean, i suppose i spent a little more time teaching the girls than i did with him. Maybe i didn't do a good enough job? Maybe he thinks he can't swim?" Able's words were shepherded by a sheepish look, his eyes brushed in guilt.
The sentiment hung around them, hissing like a mosquito. Each plagued by insecurities of how they divided their attention between their children. While the enormous task of welcoming and tending to an adopted child with a hearing impairment had not been beyond their capacities as guardians, Emmanuella often consumed most of their concern and consideration. They did their best to make sure each child received as much of their care as they could, but there was an understandable tilt.
Especially in regards to the water, Able poured so much care into teaching Emmanuella. Overly-cautious would be an understatement. He spent diligent hours learning the correct ways to sign his instructions, days in the community pool with her, found child friendly subtitled instructive videos online, and on top of that, hired an expensive ALS swimming instructor- just to be sure of her safety. By the time his son had grown to be of age to learn, Able was burnt out.
It was easy to overlook little Jeff. He had a natural charisma and confidence. Emmanuella's relentless can-do attitude, and the supportive, empowered philosophies of the household had, for the most part, moulded the little terror since his birth. With his good nature, and humour abundant, the boy had no trouble enlisting friends, and admirers- despite his proclivities to being a rascal.
Outside of his, at times, loud personality, their son was an ease. Their worry for his well being paled in comparison to their daughters. The realization that attention to the beloved boy had slipped through the cracks, stung both of them. Able whispered a small promise to Magema to make time alone with Jeffry the following day.
In the quiet of the Sunrise, Able rose, boiled water, filled a french press with coffee, and set to fetch Jeffry. He slipped into the bunk room and crept from toe to toe over the snoozing children cocooned in their sleeping bags scattered across the floor. Their heavy dreamy breaths raised and fell like waves across the ocean. With a gentle hand Able rubbed his son's shoulder, and stirred him awake. "C'mon Bub, we're going swimming"
Able cradled his son up out of his bed, over the kids, through the hallways, and down to the kitchen. Jeffry rubbed sleep from his eyes as his tiny feet touched down on the cool tiles. Able handed him a yellowing banana to eat, and poured himself a mug of coffee. Together they collected their towels from the porch railing while Jeffry chewed the soft fruit breakfast. They left the cabin hand in hand, barefoot, sweeping the dew off grass more straw then green. As they stepped to the shoreline they paused to water the trees. Entirely unnecessary, but a small bonding moment Able had always appreciated while camping with the older men in his life.
The wrinkled textures of the worn, loved wood felt welcome on the pads of their feet. They hadn't been scalded by the Sun yet nor drenched by soggy children. Each plank was warm, soft, and smooth. Able snapped their towels over two plastic lounge chairs, as Jeffry chose a life jacket. While the boy searched for the perfect flotation device Able took the empty seconds to connect to his bluetooth speaker, unable to function without some tunes. He kept the volume low, as snickered to himself as the first notes of Mac Miller's Swimming album rang out. The soft guitar chords, and welcomed hook of Come Back to Earth sparkled across the calmed water. His son tugged at the bottom of his shorts for attention, and together they snugged water-wings up each of Jeff's arms. Able made a big show to showcase safety and care as he zipped, and fastened the lifejacket up tight.
Hand in hand they stepped to the edge of the dock. Able began a well practised pitch he'd given all his kids with their swimming. The importance of kicking, how you could float on your back if you felt worried or tired, how to tread water, and the infallible doggy paddle. They mimicked their moves to the quiet beats of the music. High above, unbeknownst to Able, Magema chuckled to herself as she spied at her fellas from her bedroom window. She shook her head and fawned, her heart warmed watching the care and connection below.
Their arms slid and swam as their dock dance continued. With each move Able quizzed and encouraged the boy, rallying the lads' energy up to a brave frenzy. He told Jeffry he was a rocket ship ready to blast off and began a loud countdown from ten. At two Jeff began to run. But when he reached the edge of the platform he hit the brakes rather than jump. With his toes curled over the ledge Jeffry stuck his bottom backwards and hunched himself forward, his arms spiralling like pinwheels as if to propel himself to safety. He looked like an insane bird fighting unruly winds.
Still watching from her window Magema could hear a laugh Able failed to stifle. Her eyes twinkled as she watched her husband drop to his haunches and check in with their son. "What's the matter buddy?"
The words had hardly left Able's mouth before Jeffry's arms swung up and around his neck. "i can't see the bottom!"
Relief washed over the young father. It was a completely understandable problem. Jeffry wasn't suffering from a lack of care or attention. He was a little nervous. It felt different than swimming in pools where he could see the depths. The murkiness of this water hid away the fish, tangles of seaweed, monsters, and squishy things. Jeffry's eyes pleaded with his father. In the lake he faced the unknown.
Able sat and took his time to address each concern. That he knew the fish in the lake, and while he wished it was as exciting, and vibrant as the coral reefs he'd snorkelled in the past, there was nothing more than rainbow trout, kokanee, and bass. Nothing that could hurt them, nothing that would bite. At worst, one might touch him and feel a little weird, a little slippery. Not one could cause him harm. That while sometimes seaweed felt a little icky, it was easy to break, and was as scary as the floors in their garden. He reminded his son that the delicate plant had a hard time holding their sushi together, and had no hope of pulling them under water.
"And what if i can't get up! What if i drown!?"
They went through the strength of the lifejacket again. Able made sure to remind the child of the immense power in his arms and legs, and that even without the life preserver he could keep his head above the water with ease. In regards to any risk of drowning or monsters, that's why Able was there. To protect him. At even the smallest hint of danger, he assured his son he wouldn't hesitate to dive in and rescue him. There was nothing, in this lake, or the known world, that he wouldn't face, and save his boy from.
The declaration of love and protection was enough to quiet Jeffrys concerns. Able stood and Jeffry gave his leg a quick hug before lining himself along the edge, readying for his plunge. "Ok! One more time, on the count of three!" Able championed "One...two..."
But by the third number the boy froze. He turned to his father with a sad sheepish look. "Dad, i can't do it!"
Able nodded, "don't worry, i can help."
Like lightning Able's arm shot out and knocked the centre of the lifejacket, sending his little boy up in to the air. Jeffry's arms flailed above the mirrored threshold of the water before he came crashing down in wiggling, tumbling heap. Hundreds of bubbles overwhelmed his vision as he howled, and sank. Long thick threads of seaweed danced around him and his eyes bugged at the underwater scene. Then, before he could fully register his panic, he felt the fabric of his life-jacket clutch under his arm pits as its buoyancy catapulted him to the surface.
In the milliseconds he spent at the bottom of the lake Jeffry experienced a lifetime of emotions. Shock, surprise, disbelief, terror, glee and wonder. Hurtling up to the top was fun. He'd felt like a superhero. His head had hardly broken the surface when Able reached out, grabbed the jacket's nylon handle behind Jeffry's head and scooped him out from the water. He hung the boy there, dripping from his outstretched hand. "You ok son?" the question hung beside Jeffry as he collected himself.
Jeffry gasped as the water trickled off him, and gave an ok to his father. "You see, there's nothing to be afraid of. i'm right beside you and i'll always make sure you're safe. Now take a deep breath because you're going back in."
As Jeffry's eyes opened, so did Able's grip. A brief nervous giggle escaped before Jeff plunged back to the depths. And his father followed, diving behind him, ready to play.
Thanks for reading!
-Mr. Write