But you have been nothing but kind and gracious this entire time, and your attitude has been so positive. I just think that’s really great, and I admire you for it.”
“Wow,” Brenna said. “I don’t quite know what to say to that, but thank you so much. Your words are so kind.”
“I’m only speaking the truth.”
“Well, thanks,” she said, shrugging her shoulders.
Man, I thought.She is absolutely adorable.
We arrived at the beach and I helped her out of the car.
“Have you tried walking on the sand in that cast?” I asked.
She nodded. “Yep, I came down here with my friends, and with my mom.”
“Oh good,” I said. “What did your friends think of it?”
“They couldn’t believe the waves. They had a lot of fun swimming, but I wouldn’t let them go out past their waist. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to go out to help them, and although I do trust the lifeguards here, especially because I know you have been one of them, I would have felt awful if something happened to my friends and I wasn’t able to get out there to help them.”
I laughed. “You sound like their mother," I said. “You wouldn’t let them go out past their waist?”
“I know,” she said laughing. “I felt like their mother! But they listened to me and we had a great time. I have a feeling that they’re going to be coming out to visit quite a bit.”
“That’s great,” I said. “I’m glad they had fun out here. But, I mean why wouldn’t they? This place is amazing!”
“Yes! It is," Brenna said.
She handed me her coffee. “Would you mind carrying this for me?” she asked. “I can walk on the sand, but it’s a little difficult. I don’t want to spill!”
“Of course,” I said. “And if you want me to give you a piggyback, let me know.”
“Thank you,” she said, smiling.
We walked towards the edge of the water, I spread out my blanket, and we sat down.
“So,” she said, once we were settled. “Tell me about your trip,”
I nodded. “Okay,” I said. I took another drink of coffee, and then I told her everything. I told her about the job offer, what it would all entail, and everything that I had learned while I was there.
“Wow,” she said, once I was finished talking. “That’s huge.”
“I know,” I said.
“Have you talked to Ryan about this?” she asked. I nodded and told her about the conversation he and I had.
“He sure is wise beyond his years,” she said. “And so mature.”
“I know,” I said. ”I am in awe of that kid.”
“You know you’ve had a big part in why he is the way he is, right?”
My eyes filled with tears, and I was surprised at how emotional her comment made me.
“Thank you,” I said. “You’re so kind. Honestly, I think you’re too kind, since I don’t feel like I’ve done that much. I was just there for him, gave him a home, and kept my word to my friends.”
Brenna shook her head. “No,” she said. “It’s been much more than that. You have been a role model for him. You have taken him and helped him learn. He’s a great kid, and a lot of the traits he has are things he has learned from you.”
“Thank you,” I said again, and then looked out at the ocean.
