LITMIR.BIZ

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on. As the waves lapped rhythmically onto the beach I sat and formulated my reasons for dropping out of scuba diving. When I had my speech worked out I rode my bike home. The closer I got the more I realized that my excuses were lame and Aunt Beatrix would see through them in a moment. I also knew that she’d remind me of the sacrifice Mom made so I could take the lessons. Then Mom would point out how disappointed Eddy and Dr. Hunter would be. And if that wasn’t bad enough, there was a niggling little question in my mind about what Captain Whittaker would think I should do.

      When I got in the house I tried to sneak up to my room, but Aunt Beatrix’s hearing was sharper than I thought.

      “So there you are. I hope you’re finally over yesterday’s little mistake and ready to have another go at this diving business.”

      “A little mistake — I nearly drowned! It was a good thing I was in the pool when it happened. If I’d been in open water you could actually be talking to a ghost right now.” Aunt Beatrix started to tsk at me. I could feel the blood rushing to my face.

      “Oh pishposh! You’re Peggy Henderson, of the stock of Reynolds … and Reynoldses are not quitters.”

      I sighed and flopped down on the sofa. That’s when I knew there was no point in trying to refuse — that’s because I’d never get a moment’s worth of peace if I didn’t give it one more try.

      “All right — I’ll try again. But be warned … if I drown this time, you’ll have no one to blame but yourself.”

      That night just before I went to sleep, Mom came and sat on the side of my bed. “I’m really glad you decided to stick with it, Peggy. I’m proud of you.” She kissed the top of my head. While she might have been proud, I felt like I was being forced to dive into a pool of sharks. “Hey, by the way — they announced on the news tonight that ‘some underwater archaeologists’ were off to find the long lost Intrepid.” I sat up straight. “They said it would be the biggest discovery of its kind and likely mean big bucks for the researchers too. I could only think how exciting it was that my daughter was going to be one of those people to find it.”

      What? How did the media find out? Dr. Hunter said if this got out to the media prematurely treasure hunters would get in there and alter the site — it could ruin everything. I just hoped he didn’t think it was me who blabbed the news. I shrank back down in my bed and spent the next several hours in and out of sleep.

      Friday afternoon came too soon. Even though I knew the scuba diving manual inside and out, I wasn’t a bit sure of how I’d do in open water. When Mom talked to Tornado on the phone he called it a minor glitch. He said: “Could happen to any beginner. Tell that Patty Cake she’s a natural at this stuff and to just get back up on her donkey and ride.”

      Mom smiled. “Does he talk like that all the time?”

      “Like that or worse!” He might call my near-drowning a minor glitch, but he wasn’t the one who was panicking at the bottom of the pool. Just then I realized something — if I failed my PADI test it would all be over. I wouldn’t have to listen to Aunt Beatrix or Mom telling me to get back out there. I wouldn’t have to feel guilty about letting Eddy or Dr. Hunter down either. Failing would be my way out.

      TB came by the house and we walked together to meet Tornado and the class at the pier near Blackie’s Spit.

      “I’m glad you made it, Peggy. Today’s going to be so awesome — an actual dive in open water. Hey, wouldn’t it be cool if we found an old sunken ship filled with long lost treasure?” I punched his arm.

      “If there was a sunken ship out there don’t you think the thousand or so other people who’ve been diving and snorkeling around Blackie’s Spit all these years might have seen it by now?”

      “As I see it, anything’s possible. If a dipstick kid like you gets a chance to go looking for some long lost ship off the coast of B.C. with a bunch of scientists, then it’s possible I’ll find treasure today.” He shot me back a punch in the arm and sped off towards the pier before I could catch him.

      “So you’re back,” Tornado said when I arrived at the pier out of breath. “I didn’t really think you’d be here today.” That was annoying — I hated that he assumed I’d be a coward.

      “Yup, I’m here … ready to get back up on my high horse.” I thought he’d appreciate the old metaphor.

      “Are you sure you’re okay, kid? ’Cause we’re all here for diving lessons, not horseback riding. Maybe you should get checked out.” Some of the other kids giggled. “Just pulling your arm, Pegsy. I know that saying too … kind of like: ‘If at first you don’t succeed try, try again.’ Right?” Imagine that — he finally got one right.

      “Okay kiddos, today is the day you’ve all been waiting for,” Tornado announced when everyone finally arrived. Not exactly true in my case. “After we get suited up we’re all going to go through an equipment check. Then we’ll review emergency procedures — Patty girl here is going to take us through that part …” My face felt like it was going to melt right off my skull. “So let’s get started.”

      When everyone was ready I reviewed all the procedures from the manual. Then Tornado gave everyone further safety instructions. Just as TB and I were about to walk with everyone else down to the end of the pier Tornado stopped us.

      “Hold on, you two. Now I know TB here is breathless over the thought of being your partner …” He chuckled at his lame joke, while I willed my cheeks from turning crimson red. “… But for your first open water dive I’ll be going down with you both. Just want to make sure there’s no more of that mouth-to-mouth resuscitation business …” Gross — my sentiments exactly. I felt like a dolt that Tornado had to accompany us. But the sooner he could see that I was no good at diving — the sooner the test would be over.

      After we got in the water Tornado said: “Okay, kiddo, we’re going to try the buddy breathing again and we’re going to keep doing it until you either swallow a fish tank of seawater or get it right.” Could he be more insulting?

      “I’ll give it another try. I just hope I don’t choke up with fear.”

      “Don’t worry, we’ve got your back,” TB said. Tornado nodded.

      As we bounced around on the waves I could feel my heart pounding inside me. A part of me wanted to be the coward Tornado expected me to be, but there was another part of me who was trying to recall all the things Mom and Aunt Beatrix had said to give me courage.

      “Just remember to breathe calmly as we descend. And remember this is going to be fun!” TB said.

      “That’s right!” Tornado smacked my back and I caught a mouthful of salt water. “Okay, let’s go.”

      Even though it went against every instinct in my body I put my head under water and took my first tentative breaths through the regulator. Then I could hear it — scush-shhhh, scush-shhh, scush-shhh — it was the sound of my breathing under water. I looked over at Tornado, who was giving me the okay sign. I returned the signal. Then he gave me the signal it was time to descend. My heartbeat went into hyper speed, but I knew better than to hold my breath. Easy, steady breaths, I told myself over and over again. And down we went….

      December 25th, 1811

      It was a pleasant Christmas Day for the men. The general merriment included carol singing, rum cake, and for dinner a fine cooked turkey — we had been nursing the tasty fellow along since St. Catherine’s for this very purpose. Afterwards the men partook in games of various sorts and more carol singing.

      The air is getting warmer as we near the Sandwich Islands. According to my first mate, rations are getting low, so we will wood and water there and may stay on for some time. I know the men look forward to it and it will be a welcome respite for us all.

      I am pleased to report that Mister Lockhart has been contrite of late and we have begun to take our supper together once again. Now that we know we will soon arrive at the Sandwich Islands our conversation

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