Shark Lover

by Marie, Gracie

  “Marc!” She yelled calling after him. “Please don’t do this. I don’t want to see you get hurt. I’m sure he’ll be fine. He’s with three or four of his friends. Please don’t go there as well. I’m already worried enough about him, I can’t imagine having to worry about both of you.” Her eyes glared at Marc, pleading for sympathy.

  “Mom, I have to go check on Dad. He’s too reckless and fearless sometimes. He thinks he can fight Mother Nature even. I have to go save him, from himself.” He took a few steps closer to the door, announcing his exit and his need to go check on his father.

  “Marc, please don’t do this! Don’t get in that water!” She cried out as tears started running down her face. “I don’t want to lose you.”

  “You won’t. I’m just going to go see if he’s okay. This is just something that I have to do. I’ll be back, Mom.” He said with his hand already on the door. He walked out and started running to his car. He loved his mother and he wanted to listen to her, but in his heart he felt as if this was the right decision. A bad feeling enveloped his system as he opened the car door and started the ignition. He knew he would have to get there as fast as possible. He didn’t know if it was just a son’s intuition or a sign from God, but whatever it was he knew it was bad. It was one of those feelings, that told him today wasn’t going to be a good day.

  He was on the freeway and he opened the window on the passenger’s side. He needed to feel the cool breeze to calm him down. His father had a fiery passion and he couldn’t deny his talent to surf, but sometimes he wondered about his common sense. He had a wife and a child to care for, he shouldn’t be risking his life like this. Stinson Beach had been closed all week. He didn’t tell his mother, in fear of worrying her more. But he knew that it had been closed. Tony told him earlier in the week at school. Tony had wanted to go to Stinson Beach with a bunch of friends, but he wasn’t going to risk his life for it. Marc had been glad he hadn’t had to convince him out of going. He had always been the voice of reason and it felt nice to have Tony decide not to go on his own.

  If he would have known earlier that his father was going to Stinson Beach, he would have stopped him. It would have been a hard task since his father was unstoppable, but he could have managed it. Marc would have hidden his keys even in order to stop him from going. He figured his father purposely left early without telling Marc the location of where he was going. He knew that Marc wouldn’t approve of him going into shark invested waters. His father never backed down from a challenge, which was a quality that Marc was really starting to dislike about him.

  Marc was nearing the beach, he started to see the rocky surroundings that seemed to have been abandoned by mankind. He figured his father and his crazy surfing pals would be the only ones in the water. Nobody else would have been foolish enough to try something like this. He knew his father didn’t take no for an answer, but he would have to today. Once Marc got there, he would make sure that he got out of the water. He wasn’t going to lose his father to something so irrational and imprudent. His father’s pride would have to simmer down as he needed to put his safety first and his family’s well-being.

  Marc had entered the beach now. He parked his car and ran out as nippily as he could. In his heart, he felt as if he was running out of time. Running down to the beach, he stopped in his tracks. He could see the waters from the cliffs, but he didn’t see any surfers in the water. His heart was pounding double time. Looking around the parking lot, he spotted his dad’s car. He had to be around here somewhere. Marc had to get down to the beach and fast.

  Rushing down to the beach, as quickly as his feet could take him, he was running out of breath. He knew he couldn’t stop here. The hunt wouldn’t stop until he found his father. He threw off his shoes in the sand dunes and continued his brisk running pace. He would run this entire beach if he had to. His father needed him and he knew it. In the distance, he could hear a siren. The blaring noise was getting louder and louder by the minute. Another bad sign. His father and his friends were the only ones on this beach as he predicted. How or why they got in the water was beyond him. He knew the worst was coming.

  Picking up the pace to the fastest that he could go, he could feel that he was nearing where his father was. Marc heard screaming in the distance. Loud, pinching high voltage screaming. He knew that something bad had happened. He was right. Figures emerged in the distance. He could see four or five figures gathered around someone on the ground. His feet wanted to fail him, he could feel his knees giving out. Crashing down into the sand, he took in a mouthful full of grains. Burns could be felt throughout his entire body. He ached while trying to get up. Forcing himself out of the sand, he started running away from the mound as fast as he could. He wasn’t going to stop now. Not when he was needed so desperately.

  As he started nearing the group, he could see that they were all male. Another bad sign that his father and his friends had probably been the ones who were out surfing. Please don’t let that be my father, he silently prayed in his mind. Please God, don’t let that be my father. He kept repeating the thought over and over again in his head. He didn’t want anyone else to be hurt, but if his father was hurt it would be the end of the world to him. Marc couldn’t think of living in a world without his dad. It would be way too painful.

  Marc had finally reached the group and touched one of the men on the shoulder. The man was kneeling down towards the ground, covering the body of the injured. When he turned around, Marc realized that it was Ernie, one of his father’s best friends. Ernie had an expression of true fear as if he had just seen a ghost. Marc looked up at him with fear himself, afraid to ask him what had happened. But somehow he managed the courage to ask.

  “Ernie,” He said breathlessly. “Where’s my Dad? Who’s on the ground?”

  He gave Marc a look of desperation. “I don’t know how to say this! The worst thing ever has happened!” He yelled out in panic.

  Marc could tell that Ernie was losing it, which was an even worse sign. “What happened?” He cried. “Please just tell me what happened!”

  “There was a shark. I saw it in the water. I yelled to the rest of the group to get out of the water, but it was too late. It already had attacked. Now we are waiting for the ambulance. It’s taking so long, I don’t know if he’s going to make it.” A few tears ran down his cheek as he stood up and held Marc.

  “Who?” cried Marc as he embraced the hug quickly and let go.

  “I don’t want you to see him like this Marc. If these are his last moments, I don’t think he would want you to remember him like this.” Ernie cried as more tears ran down his face.

  “My Dad?” He pushed Ernie aside and started pushing through the rest of the group to see his injured father laying on the ground. “I have to see my Dad! Dad! Dad!” He yelled in panic as he got down to his knees. He finally pushed through enough to see his father and from what he could see, his father was not in good shape. His stomach had a large gap missing from it and Marc forced himself to look away in order not to cringe. It was hard for him to see his father in pain. Tears flew down his cheeks as he felt the pain that his father was feeling. It was as if they were connected as one, just like his father had always wanted Marc to do with the waves in the ocean.

  “Marc?” His father gasped out. He choked on the words, unable to speak fully. He coughed up some water and held his side as blood gashed out of his stomach. The blood was pouring out now. Marc took off his shirt and tied it around his father’s waist in order to save more of his blood.

  “It’s me Dad. Hold on! We will get you some help. Ernie said he called the ambulance and I heard it while I was running so I think it’s coming soon. Just a little while longer.” He tied the shirt tighter around his father’s waist. He didn’t want him to lose any more blood than he already had.

  “What happened Son? I remember surfing then I blacked out after that.” He said so softly it sounded like a whisper.

  “You were attacked by a shark. Dad we are gett
ing you help. Just stay awake. Please just stay awake!”

  “I don’t have much longer, Son. I have to tell you something before I go.” He choked out the words as he held his stomach and winced in pain.

  “Don’t say that Dad! You’re going to make it! The ambulance is just around the corner. Don’t give up now. You can’t give up now. You never give up. Come on Dad, you can make it another minute if you just try!” He said through tears.

  “You have a lot of hope Son. The only thing I can feel is my heart. Now let me tell you one last thing.”

  “Stop Dad! You’re not going to go anywhere but that ambulance. Look they are over there now! They are coming out with the stretcher for you.” He pointed to the lot nearly a mile away in the hope that his dad would fight harder to live. “You can’t give up Dad! This isn’t your time to go. You have more years left. You’re healthy and fit. You were born tough and I know you won’t give up now!” He moved his father’s head into his lap to comfort him and give him support.

  “You’re the man of the house now. I need you to be strong Son. Take good care of your mother for me. She needs you. I love you Son. You were my greatest pride and joy. Don’t give up surfing, the legacy lies on you now. Make me proud.” His eyes closed and Marc knew in his heart that he was gone.

  He just didn’t want to believe it now. “Dad! Wake up! Look the stretcher is almost here! It’s only a few feet away! Please Dad, I need you. You can’t die!” He shook his father in an effort to wake him up, but he knew it was no use. His father was gone.

  “Marc, it’s okay. You did everything that you could. We all did. It was just his time to go.” Ernie leaned down to give Marc a hug.

  Marc pushed him away again. He didn’t feel like hugging. He didn’t feel like doing anything. He just wanted his father back. He didn’t know how he would go on without his dad. He hadn’t even gone a week in his life without seeing him. Now he would have to go an entire lifetime without him. Marc looked down at his dad, laying so peacefully in his lap. Tears started streaming down his face. His father had died right there in his lap. Life would never be the same ever again.

  He awoke from an edgy sleep still tired and traumatized from his nightmare that he had dreamed up. Marc was breathing hard as he put a hand to his heart and realized that the beat of it had speeded up double time. He looked down at Cathy sleeping on his chest. She looked so peaceful sleeping, almost like an angel. Her hair was sprawled out across his body and was a complete mess. Running his hands softly through her hair, he felt more relaxed that she was still here with him. He was glad that he hadn’t had to wake up alone after his terrible nightmare. The worst part was that it wasn’t just a nightmare, it was real life.

  Cathy’s eyelids fluttered as she started moving her head slowly. Her eyelashes wavered as her eyes finally opened and he could see the deep blue color flashing him a sign of concern. “Are you alright? I could hear you breathing heavy as I was sleeping. Your chest was going up and down so fast.”

  “Yeah, I know.” He sighed. “The last thing I looked at was that red surfboard. It probably brought all of those bad memories back. The funny thing about that board is that I don’t even know how it made it back in one piece and he didn’t.”

  She turned her head up to look at him more closely. “Who didn’t?” She asked sitting up in bed after pulling the covers over her body.

  He paused for a moment thinking of the best way to say it. “My father. He was attacked by a shark on Stinson Beach years ago. I didn’t witness the attack, but I was there when he died. He died in my arms.”

  “Oh, I am so sorry Marc. I didn’t know he died surfing. That makes sense now why you gave it up. It must have been so painful having to recover from something like that.” She laid back down in the bed and held him closer to her body.

  “It was very painful. That is why I gave up surfing. The last time I surfed was in high school. It was after he passed away. It was freeing and it did feel so right, but it also felt wrong too. I just couldn’t bring myself to ever try again. It got even worse as I got older. I couldn’t even imagine trying when I was in college.” A sadness enveloped his voice as he hid his face in the pillow.

  “I know it was painful having to see that. I know how you feel. Believe me I know what it’s like to lose a father. Even though I know the whole story now, I still think you should try again.” She looked across the room at the red board lying beside the dresser. “Maybe you should even think about using that board again. In honor of your father who has passed away. I think it would bring him pride and joy to see you surf again. Even if he can’t be here to witness it, just from the way that you describe him I can tell that he would be proud.” She said as emotion filled her eyes. He could see tears forming and he didn’t want her to cry. Not now. He would end up crying too.

  “I just think it would be too painful to surf again. Now that I think about it. Back then I wasn’t as traumatized as I am now. I’ve had years to let the incident sink in and I think that’s why I am so fearful of the water now. Plus I just think everything about surfing would remind me of him,” He said looking down into the covers. “But the board is what gets me. I still don’t get how it made it back in one piece. You would think there would have been a shark bite in it or some sign of a struggle, but it’s completely flawless. That is what is so confusing.”

  “I don’t think you should give up on it. Surfing was your passion and passion is hard to find. It doesn’t have to be today, tomorrow or even any time soon. You could try to surf again in a few years. I’ll even go with you if you want. Just whatever it takes to help you get over your fears and make your father proud.” She moved in and kissed him softly on the lips. “That’s strange about the board. Have you ever asked any of his friends the story about what exactly happened that day?”

  “You’re right about that. It doesn’t have to be anytime soon. I’ll remember that. And no I haven’t asked any of them. I figured it would be too traumatizing to hear the entire story. I did talk to Ernie about it once. He just said he didn’t remember the details. He recalls seeing a shark in the water and he screamed for the rest of them to get out. I don’t think he actually witnessed the attack, but who knows. It would be good to get the entire story figured out I suppose. I think I would have more closure. Anyways, this is depressing,” He said quickly changing the subject. “Maybe we could go eat those steamed veggies now? Well, I’m not sure if they are so steamed anymore. They are probably cold by now, but we can always warm them up.”

  Cathy took the cue that he was tired of talking about his father’s death and went along with his suggestion to eat. She nodded her head yes in agreement as her stomach rumbled. She hadn’t eaten since lunch and she was starving now. As she was getting up from the bed to head to the kitchen, Marc put up his hands in a movement to stop her from leaving. She giggled before saying, “I thought you said you wanted to go eat.”

  “I still do want to,” He said as he pulled her close. “I just want to hold you for another few minutes. I love holding you.”

  She held his arms as they wrapped around her tighter. She loosened her shoulders and let herself relax in the moment of peace. “You do?” She questioned surprised. She hadn’t met a man who wanted to hold her like this. She liked it. Marc held her in a way that was special. He held her like he didn’t ever want to let her go. She didn’t want him to ever let her go, she didn’t know what she would do if he wasn’t near her or in her life. Cathy hadn’t felt this loved in her entire life.

  “Yes.” He replied softly in her ear.

  He could see the sun setting through the shades and he couldn’t imagine getting up. Things were impeccable. He had Cathy, the girl he loved in his arms. Letting her go would mean letting this amazing moment go and he was ready to do so yet. She was so smart, beautiful and everything he had ever wanted in a woman. She understood the death of his father and how it had affected him so badly. It was almost as if she knew him better than he knew himself. He could lay li
ke this forever. Everything was flawless, he couldn’t think of a problem. He didn’t know what the future would hold, but today everything was absolutely perfect.

  Chapter 11

  She awoke to the phone ringing loudly in her ears. She pressed her face into the pillow case. She didn’t feel like waking up. Looking at the blinds, she could see the sun wasn’t even shining through them yet. It was too early to be awake. Why was she awake? Then the phone rang again and she remembered someone was trying to get ahold of her. She wondered who would be calling her this early in the morning. Nobody she knew would be up at this time.

  She reached across the bed and grabbed the receiver. She was probably the only person she knew who still had a home phone. She loved her phone. It was a rotary telephone that she couldn’t dream of getting rid of. It had so much history to it and she loved artifacts that told a story. There was something special about owning someone else’s piece of the past. When she was younger, she had loved creating stories about where her antiques came from and the life that they had before she had owned them. But she remembered now was the present, not the past and remembered that there was still someone on the line who wanted to speak with her.

  “Hello?” She said sleepily into the receiver.

  “Hello, is this Cathy Montanan?” A man with a deep voice asked.

  “Yes, may I ask who this is?” She shivered in the cold of the morning as she wondered who it might be on the other line. She hadn’t heard this man’s voice before, which concerned her.

  “This is Officer Mike Sanchez. A missing person’s case has been filed for Marc Porter. You were listed as his significant other. Have you seen or heard from him lately?” Mike’s gruff voice demanded.

  Cathy sat up in bed shocked as she dropped the receiver. She took a few minutes to breath and picked up the phone again. “What do you mean a missing person’s case has been filed? I just saw him last week. That’s the last time I saw him, we are both extremely busy people. We’re both working full-time and doing graduate school on top of it. The last time I texted him was a few days ago. That’s the last I have heard from him.” She paused thoughtfully. “Am I under suspicion Officer?” She asked with a scared note in her voice.