Taken by Storm by Angela Morrison Read Free Book Online Page B

back in a minute.” i take two strides to the pool’s edge and dive in. It’s not painful like jumping into her lake. It’s cold, even with the seven mil, but i can hack it.
     
    “Be careful.” Leesie’s pacing the pool’s edge. “What are you doing?”
     
    i zone her out, kick my legs up, and fall through the water. i relax on the bottom, facedown, eyes shut. Everything’s sunlit blue. No black, dark lake. No quarry vis. i’m actually warm. My final dive with my parents, Mom in the lead, Dad and me lagging behind with the camera, replays in full color. We find a barrel sponge with a party of hermit crabs packed down its tube and shoot video of a pair of queen angelfish. Dad films Mom, and she pushes away the camera.
     
    Lying on the bottom of that pool, i feel like i can open my eyes, and they will both be there, hovering inches above me. Just like Leesie’s poem. i want my parents. Come to me. Now.
     
    My eyes stay shut. i know there’s only empty water and an ugly patch. My parents are gone. i hold my breath and swim with memories. The cold turns into a drowsy warmth, and my dream parents dissolve.
     
    Then i’m trapped. Isadore has me. She sucks me deep. The pressure pains sharp in my ears. i manage to equalize before the drums rupture but use air. i slam into something hard, big rock, maybe a wreck, fight to the surface, think i’ve made it. Breathe and get seawater. Choke. i break the surface again and inhale through teeth clenched to keep the salt water out, packing like crazy. Isadore pulls me under again. i fight her, claw through the water trying to find the surface, holding my breath. i will myself to relax and float with the storm surge. The storm gets quieter and quieter, fades into shimmering Caribbean blue.
     
    My parents are there—just through that canyon. i’m swimming as fast as i can, but i can’t catch them. They’re ahead of me. Caught in a current that won’t take me. Please. Wait. i’m almost there—
     
    Leesie’s in the water, grabbing my weight belt, wrenching me away.
     
    “What do you think you’re doing?” i shout at the surface.
     
    “S-s-saving your l-l-life!” i don’t need her screaming in my face.
     
    We swim to the edge of the pool. i climb out. She tries to pull herself up but can’t, so i grab her arms and yank her onto the pool deck.
     
    “You’re saving me?” The cold air hits my wet suit, and i start to zip out of it. “Good one.”
     
    She drags herself upright. “You don’t have to be a snot about it.”
     
    Goose bumps rise on my chest. “i didn’t ask for a rescue.”
     
    The glow of the streetlamp makes her face look bluish white. She pulls off a dripping fleece. Her skin shows through her soaked T-shirt. Her bra keeps her decent, but it’s made of thin stuff. As i peel my wet suit down to my waist, i can’t help noticing she isn’t totally flat-chested. Small, sure, but enough’s happening there to make me stare.
     
    She gives me a lesson in Disgust 101 and crosses her arms. “You were down there for like four minutes. What was i supposed to think?” Her teeth chatter as the night air super-chills her wet clothing.
     
    i put my hands on my hips. “i told you i free dive.”
     
    “That means you don’t have to breathe like normal people?” Hysteria plays at the edge of her voice. “We had a deal.” She’s screaming.
     
    “Shut up.” i glance around—expecting sirens or at least a night watchman. “You should have left me alone.” i keep my voice low and cold.
     
    Her face draws up tight. “If that’s what you want.” She takes off, manages to get over the counter despite her soaked jeans and wet tennis shoes.
     
    i pick up my duffel bag and follow her to the pickup. “You better get out of that wet stuff.” i hand her my towel. “You can use this.”
     
    Her mouth drops. “Here? No way.” She pushes the towel back at me. Guess she doesn’t change much on boats.
     
    “At least get in the truck.