Chapter 11 – Philip
Once the paramedics arrive and take over caring for the kid, I figure it’s okay for us to leave. Haley looks like she’s on the verge of keeling over. Her eyes have a haunted look, and she’s white as a sheet.
I take her hand and walk her back to the spot where we left our things. “Sit down, Hale.”
She sits on her beach towel, draws her knees up to her chest, and wraps her arms tightly around them. She’s shaking, whether from cold or nerves I don’t know, so I grab my towel, shake it free of sand, and drape it over her shoulders.
I crouch down in front of her and put my hands on her knees. “Everything’s okay, babe. I’m pretty sure the kid’s going to be fine.”
She looks up at me, her eyes rimmed with red. Her voice is raw when she says, “You could have died today, and it would have been my fault.” And then she shudders violently and lays her forehead down on my hands.
My heart cracks wide open at the pain in her voice. “Aw, Haley, no.”
I remove the towel from her shoulders, lay it on the sand, and I take a seat and pull her down onto my lap. She buries her face against my chest.
“No, Haley,” I murmur against her head. “It wouldn’t have been your fault.”
“Yes, it would have.” Her voice cracks. “It was my idea to come here today.”
“Honey, if that was true, then nobody would ever go anywhere.”
“If it weren’t for me, you never would have been here and risked your life like that.”
“Going into the water after that kid was my choice, Hale. If the situation had gone south, it wouldn’t have been on your shoulders, sweetheart. It would have been on mine.”
I tilt her face up so she’s looking at me. “None of this is your fault.” I lean forward and press my lips to her forehead. “I mean it. None of it.”
When I pull back, she gives me a weak smile. “I didn’t know you were a lifeguard. How many other secret talents do you have?”
I chuckle. “It was years ago.”
“You were so incredibly brave today, Philip.”
“Honestly, it wasn’t that big of a deal. Today wasn’t the first time I’ve gone into Lake Michigan to pull out a drowning swimmer.”
She reaches out to brush my damp hair back. “You’re so modest. It was a very big deal. You could have died. You were under so long I feared the worst.”
“The water was murky, so it took me a while to find him.” I tighten my arms around her. “I have a suggestion. We were planning to eat somewhere along the Riverwalk—”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t right now.” She shudders.
“I know. So, here’s what I’m thinking. We could catch a cab back to my place. You can change into dry clothes, and I’ll make us some lunch. Then we can relax at my place.”
“But your truck is on campus.”
“That’s okay. We’ll take a cab back to campus. And after I drop you off at your dorm room, I’ll come back home in the truck. How does that sound?”
She slips her chilled arms around my neck and closes her eyes on a sigh. “Perfect. Thank you.”
* * *
Haley is awfully quiet on the cab ride back to my apartment building. Before we left the beach, she put her clothes on over her swimsuit, but now her clothes are soaked through, and she’s chilled to the bone.
She had a hell of a shock today. When I went into the water for the kid, I never dreamed it would turn into something so traumatic.
“Here you go, folks,” the cabbie says as he pulls up in front of my building.
I get out of the car and hold the door for Haley. The cabbie pops the trunk lid, and I start to reach inside to grab our stuff, but Antonio, the apartment’s concierge, beats me to it.
Antonio carries our beach bags as he follows us into the building. “Everything okay?” he asks as he looks at Haley with concern.
“Yeah. Just a bit of a stressful day.”
“Do you want me to bring these up to your apartment?”
“Thanks, but I can manage.” I sling both of our bags over one shoulder and put my free arm around Haley. As we head for the bank of elevators, I think, Oh God, please don’t let us run into Mack. I really don’t want to explain to him why his daughter looks like she’s been through the ringer.
Fortunately, we don’t run into anyone we know on our way up.
“Why don’t you go take a hot shower?” I say as soon as I get her into my apartment.
She shakes her head. “I just want to change into dry clothes and sit on the sofa for a while.”
“Okay. Undress in the bathroom, and I’ll bring you something to wear. I’ll put your wet clothes in the dryer.”
While she’s in the bathroom, I search my closet for something suitable for her to put on.
All my clothes are going to be huge on her, so I do the best I can.
I grab a clean pair of gray sweats and a plain white, long-sleeve T-shirt.
That should keep her warm. I hope she doesn’t mind going commando. My underwear are way too big for her.
While I’m in my room, I quickly change into a pair of jeans and a gray Henley shirt. And on my way out, I grab a pair of white sport socks so her feet will be warm.
“Ready for some clothes?” I ask as I knock on the bathroom door.
“Yes.” She opens the door and sticks her hand out for the clothes.
“Here you go. Let me have your wet things.”
She hands me her clothes and swimsuit, all cold and wet still.
“While you’re getting dressed, I’ll start on something for lunch. What sounds good? I could order something in, or I could make grilled cheese sandwiches. I have some potato chips.”
“I would love a grilled cheese.” She peers out at me through the partially open door. “Thank you.”
I leave her to finish getting dressed and head to the kitchen. After putting her wet clothes in the dryer and hanging up her swimsuit to dry, I return to the kitchen and start making lunch. I cook for myself all the time, just easy, basic stuff, but I’m not used to cooking for someone else.
By the time the food is ready, I carry our plates and some napkins out to the living room. Haley’s seated on the sofa, with her feet drawn up. She looks adorable in my oversized clothes.
“Here we go,” I say as I set the plates on the coffee table. “I’ll grab some drinks. You want a Coke?”
“Sure.” She laughs. “How about adding some whiskey?”
I’m pretty sure she’s kidding. “Um, if you don’t mind, let’s skip the whiskey. If your dad ever found out I plied his underaged daughter with booze, he’d never forgive me.”
I come back from the kitchen with two cold soft drinks.
“Thank you,” Haley says as she pops a chip in her mouth.
The color has started to return to her face, and she’s no longer shaking.
“Are you warm enough now?” I ask.
She nods as she takes a bite of her sandwich. She chews, then swallows. “This is really good. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, but it’s just a grilled cheese.” I sit beside her on the sofa and reach for my plate. I’m famished after the water rescue. “I’m sorry our swim date got messed up.”
“You literally saved a kid’s life today, Philip. You have nothing to apologize for.”
After we finish our food, I dish out two bowls of chocolate ice cream for dessert.
Haley makes an appreciative noise as she slides her spoon into her mouth. “Mmm. You made dessert, too.”
I laugh. “Scooping ice cream out of a carton hardly qualifies as making dessert.”
She smiles as she goes for another spoonful. She’s about to say something—probably make a joke—when her smile suddenly vanishes, and that haunted look returns.
I reach out and brush her soft cheek. “What’s wrong?”
“You could have died today.” That realization came back and hit her without warning.
As her eyes flood with fresh tears, I set our ice cream bowls on the coffee table. “Come here.”
She climbs onto my lap, and I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight to my chest. “Shh.” I press my lips to her temple. “Just let it go, sweetheart.”
She presses her face into the crook of my neck and sobs. All I can do is hold her close and remind her I’m fine.
We sit that way for a long time. Eventually, her breathing evens out and she rests her full weight against me. I suspect she’s fallen asleep, and that’s fine with me. She’s had a stressful day. She could use a nap.
Careful not to disturb her, I straighten myself out on the sofa. I prop my head on a sofa pillow at one end, secure my arms around her so she doesn’t accidentally roll off, and close my eyes.
I guess we could both use a little comfort.