Page 39 of Catch a Wave
Mavs looks away, and then moves closer to Summer who is chatting with Ben near the cash register.
Kai approaches me. “Get dressed, dude.”
“Just coming in off the water.”
“How was the lesson?”
“Good! She stood up.”
“That’s always the best moment.”
“It’s almost like catching the wave of the day for yourself—watching someone else find their way out there.”
I look over toward the cash register. Mavs is studying me. I can’t quite decipher the expression on her face. Is she sad? Angry? Uncomfortable? Curious?
I wonder what she feels when she’s watching other people surf. I remember being so angry it felt like lava had replaced the blood in my veins and my skin was too tight. Even when other people took easy waves, I had a grudge against the ocean for all it stole from me.
I turn to Kai. “Thanks, man.”
His face contorts in confusion. “What for?”
“Helping me move on.”
“That’s what friends are for.”
I look at Mavs.That’s what friends are for. My mind scrolls through images of our yoga session this morning. I can do this for her. It’s the least I can do.
Jenny comes through the shop, thanking me profusely and setting up another lesson for two days from now. She’s hooked. My job here is done.
I walk down to the sand to collect our boards and then I head to the back of the shack to rinse the wetsuits and hang them to dry. After I change into my clothes, I’m behind the shop, singing a song that’s going through my head while I collect towels that were left scattered back here. The familiar noise of scratching paws on the planks of the dock means only one thing. I turn and look down.
“Hey, little buddy,” I say quietly.
This mutt of a dog has been hanging out around the pier for at least a week. I don’t tell Kai, but I slip some food into a bowl out here every day. The dog looks a bit mangy. He obviously hasn’t been living in anyone’s home. Who knows how he got here, but I’m not going to let him starve.
Another noise catches my attention while I’m bending to scratch my little buddy behind the ears. He’s smiling up at me. Icall it a smile. His tongue lolls part way out of his mouth and his face has a wide grin on it.
If Kai would let me, I’d bring him home. But that’s not going to happen. We’re gone too much to have a pet, that’s what Kai says. I’d be the type to have a dog and let him follow me around. This guy’s chill. He’d lay on the dock and leave people alone. Probably would settle onto the beach while I surfed too. I picture him just waiting for me to come off the waves so I could take him back home. But I’ve got a housemate, so I can’t make that call. Actually, I’ve got two housemates.
I look up to see Mavs leaning against the side of the shack, her arms crossed over her chest and a soft smile on her face.
“Who’s this?” she asks.
“Dunno. He comes around here most days. Doesn’t look like he’s been inside for a while. He could use a bath among other things, but he’s super chill.”
“Awww.” Mavs says, more to the dog than to me. Then she’s bending over to scratch his head, her hand landing next to mine. Lucky dog.
The dog turns and practically leans into Mavs. He knows a good thing when he sees it. Smart little guy. She smiles wider.
“I wonder why he keeps coming here.”
“Might have to do with me sneaking him leftovers.” I look up at her and smile a sheepish grin.
“Oh, you are, are you? You know he’s yours if you feed him.”
“If only. Your brother’s not too keen on pets.”
“Did you ask him?”
