Let's Swing

by Piquette Fontaine

“How long did it take you to look?” she asked.

  “I don't know, I've been in the scene for so long now that I think it's just always been with me.”

  He was about to say something else when one of his students came up to him.

  “Thanks for another great lesson, I'm looking forward to finding some big waves next time,” she said.

  “No worries, good luck with your exam!” Matt said. Gradually the class dispersed, leaving Amanda and Matt there alone.

  “So what do you think, you fancy coming back for a proper lesson tomorrow? I'm here every day.”

  Amanda looked at him and down at her board, feeling it under her feet. She looked out to the sea and how inviting it was, how peaceful and tranquil, and how far removed it was from her normal life. It had been a long time since she had learned anything new and she thought that she just might like to try something that she had never done before.

  “Sure, I think I will,” she said. Matt smiled. “Class starts around 2, I'll see you tomorrow,” he said, and helped her off the board.

  Chapter 3

  Amanda couldn't stop smiling as she walked back along the beach. Matt was handsome and strong, and there was definitely some kind of attraction between them although Amanda wasn't sure how strong it was, but she liked the idea of trying to surf even though she had never done it before. Part of her felt like she was going to make a big fool of herself but she knew that the only way to get herself out of the rut into which she had fallen was to try new things and keep pushing herself. Besides, if it failed completely then she would only lose a little bit of her time. As she walked along she noticed that the shadows were getting longer and there were less people in the sea. But Danny was still out on the waves. There was something beautiful and elegant about the way he rode the waves, and she found herself to be entranced. She remained by the edge of the water, transfixed by the way his body moved. Now that she had been taught how to stand on a surfboard by Matt she could see the stance that Danny was employing, and how he moved his body just like Matt had said, flowing like a river.

  Eventually he directed the board back to shore and came closer to Amanda's view. The water lapped at her feet while she stood there, all foamy and warm, spreading in between her toes. Danny approached her and as he grew closer she could see that his body was athletic and smooth. He was clean-shaven and had a fresh face, and his blonde hair was slick against his scalp. Is toned chest heaved as he took in deep breaths.

  “Hey,” he said in his distinctive accent. Amanda tilted her head as she tried to place it. “I'm from Australia,” he said, answering her before she even asked the question. His voice was smooth and honeyed.

  “I guess you get that question a lot,” she asked, looking sheepish.

  “Sure do, but it's cool, at least you yanks never think I'm a pom,” he said. She was about to ask him what a 'pom' was but he quickly introduced himself, giving her a wet handshake, for he was still covered in the sea.

  “I know, I was just talking to your friend Matt, I'm going to go along to the lesson tomorrow. Figured it was about time I tried something new,” she said, adding her name as well.

  “That's cool, I'll make sure I'm there too. Y'know, if you fancied it I could take you out for a quick lesson now. Sea is pretty good.”

  “That's very kind of you but I think I'm okay for now. I'll leave it until tomorrow. I've spent long enough at the beach today anyway, I need to go home and get the smell out of me.”

  “I don't know about that. I think you smell pretty good. If you've got no plans later let's grab a drink.”

  Amanda looked at him, surprised that he would ask her out so quickly after first meeting. She'd only just met Matt and there had been something between them...hadn't there? But there was something about Danny as well. He was so confident and assured...and the accent was like music to her ears. He looked at her expectantly, waiting for an answer. Fear played with her mind for it had been so long since she had been on a date.

  “I barely know anything about you,” she said, brushing a loose strand of hair away from her face.

  “That's the point of going for a drink isn't it, to get to know someone? If you're not up for it just say so, I won't be offended, I know I'm not everyone's type.” He ran his hand through his hair, stretching his neck back, and as he did so droplets of water fell away from his head.

  “No, it's not that,” Amanda said, “it's just that it's been a while since I've gone for a drink with anyone...”

  “Then all's the more reason for you to go for one tonight. There's a small bar a little down that way, meet me there. It's the only bar I've been to in this country that knows how to do proper beer. I'll see you about seven,” he said, and then walked off. It was the strangest offer she'd had for a date before, and almost couldn't believe that it had happened because it had been so abrupt and unplanned but now that it had been done she couldn't back out of it.

  When she returned home she grabbed a quick shower and started to get dressed. In the middle of pulling on her top she looked at herself and burst out laughing, wondering what on earth she was doing. Never before had she gone on a date with a man with whom she had only had the briefest of conversations and if they had exchanged numbers she had a good mind to cancel it, but she hated the idea of standing people up so despite her reservations she found herself going to the bar. It was a mere short walk down the falling hill. The sun was setting and the shadows were long. The sky burned orange and the sea looked still. As she walked to the bar she found herself hoping that Danny wouldn't show up because it would have been far easier than if he had, but when she arrived she found him with a drink in front of him already.

  “Hey! Over here!” he said, gesturing with his arm and pulling out a stool. He gave her a quick hug and then offered her the bar. After a quick glance she opted for an Alabama Slammer. Danny was wearing a cotton shirt that hung open at the top, showing off his smooth chest, and cargo shorts that reached down to his knees. He had on a necklace made up of dark beads. Unlike Matt, he didn't have a tattoo, but he had the same perfect smile, and his eyes burned a bright blue. She was able to take her eyes off him a moment to look round the bar, which was more of a shack. A few tables were standing around the floor and an old television, one of those big square ones that looked like they weighed a ton, fizzed and flickered in one corner. The walls were plastered with various pictures and objects that all referred to the ocean, and there were only a couple of souls in there aside from her and Danny. The barman was a portly man with a balding head, and he looked like he was in a constant state of annoyance.

  Danny drained his glass and promptly slammed it down on the bar, gesturing for the barman to refill it, which he did.

  “So tell me your story, why haven't you been for a drink with anyone for a while?” he asked. Amanda gazed at him with her mouth hanging open, amazed at the bluntness of the man. And yet she found herself wanting to answer the question, so she told him how Ricky had left her to go and travel the world.

  “Sheesh, that's harsh. Can't believe any man would walk away from you but there's no accounting for taste. Did you ever hear from him?”

  “Nope. I told him not to bother when he left. Part of me thought he might...part of me even though that he'd start to miss me and even come home, but he never did.”

  “No worries, you're better off without. He's a fool if he thinks the world could give him anymore than you could. Trust me, I know of what I speak.”

  “What made you leave your home then? Did you not have anyone special back in Australia?”

  “Oh yeah, but there's only one true love in my life,” he said, and waved a hand out to the sea, “and I was getting tired of the scene at home. Too many politics and wherever I went there only seemed to be wars between soul surfers and probos and I can't be assed with that shit, all I care about is the waves, y'know? That's why I like it out here. You may be seppos but most of the folks I've met are a good bunch and Matt, he's a top guy you know. I met online be
fore I came over and he offered me a place to stay. We ended up starting this business and it's great. I'm having the time of my life.”

  “You ever think you'll go back home?”

  “I don't know, maybe, but I guess I'll just have to see where the waves take me. Can't plan too much in this life because it can be taken away like that,” he snapped his fingers as he said this.

  Danny had a confidence about him that Amanda found refreshing. He was constantly smiling and she didn't know what to expect from one moment to the next. He was filled with energy and he didn't walk around the bar so much as bounce. At one point he dragged her to the pinball machine and played the game with the enthusiasm of a kid. When the lights flashed, indicating that he had achieved a new high score, he whirled Amanda around and planted a strong kiss on her mouth. It only lasted a matter of moments but it left her stunned for she hadn't been kissed in such a long time, and it had happened so easily. Could life be that easy for her? To Danny it didn't seem to be a big deal and he ran around the bar, giving the bemused patrons a high five. He downed the rest of his drink and dragged Amanda by the arm, leading her out into the balmy night air.

  “Where are we going now?” she asked.

  “Down to the beach, it's the only place that matters,” he said, and walked off. They were cloaked in black, although the stars twinkled above, and the water almost looked alive as the silver moonlight shimmered above it.

  “Let's go for a swim,” he said as he ran along the soft sand. Amanda looked around, worried that someone might see them, and she quickened her pace so that she could keep up with him. Without hesitation he pulled off his clothes and leaped into the water. Amanda remained by the edge, the cold water nibbling at her toes. She folded her arms around her body, suddenly feeling like she shouldn't be here.

  “You coming in or what?” he called out, shaking his head so that the water sprayed out around him.

  “I don't think I should,” she yelled.

  “If you're going to surf you're going to have to give yourself to the sea,” he said. She looked around. There was still nobody there. She dipped her toe and shivered.

  “It's so cold!” she cried.

  “It's warmer once you're in!”

  Conflicted, she hesitated at the water's edge and watched Danny as he splashed around. He looked like a shadow, but he looked like he belonged and she wasn't sure whether she did at all. She chewed her bottom lip as she fought against the shackles of her mind, but anytime she ventured forward there was something that pulled her back. Then she heard voices. She snapped her neck around to see a crowd of people strolling down, and she felt incredibly self-conscious, like she was intruding on a private party.

  “What's wrong?”

  Amanda jumped. Danny was now standing beside her, soaking wet, muscles glistening.

  Amanda didn't get a chance to answer. The group was now upon them. As the glow of the pale moon illuminated their faces she recognized some of them from the class earlier. They greeted Danny and ran up to him. The girls fawned over him with lust in their eyes, surrendering their bodies to him already. Others were stripping off and running into the water and Amanda knew that she was in the wrong place. This was a place for young people, for people who could live freely and had no emotional baggage.

  “I'm sorry, I should go, this was a mistake,” she said, and turned away. Danny tried to go after her but the women on his arms held him back. As Amanda walked away she didn't turn around. She only retreated to the sanctuary of her home.

  Chapter 4

  As the afternoon sun hung high in the sky Amanda almost stayed indoors, feeling like she had made a fool of herself in front of Danny. Would it have been the worst thing in the world for her to have swam in the ocean? Sometimes she hated her own mind, and she was afraid now of going to the surfing lesson and feeling embarrassed, but there was nothing else to occupy her time so she found herself walking down to the quiet part of the beach. To her surprise only Matt was there. As she approached he looked up and smiled. It made her feel better.

  “I thought you weren't going to show,” he said.

  “Me too,” she replied honestly.

  “Danny has taken the others out but I thought I'd wait just in case you showed. Looks like you have me all to yourself,” he said, and she flushed with heat as she saw the look of passion in his eyes. Did he knew that she'd been out with Danny the previous night? Was it even an issue? Amanda was just glad that Danny wasn't there. She looked out to sea and could see the group on the horizon, meeting the waves as they rolled across the sea.

  “I really don't know if I'm going to be any good,” she said.

  “Everyone has to start somewhere,” he replied. He walked among the boards that were planted in the sand and picked one out.

  “You ready to get wet?” he said with a smirk. Amanda shrugged her shoulders and followed him as he led her to the water.

  The beach looked different than it did at night and she wondered whether she should tell Matt about her date with Danny the previous night. In the end she decided against it. Danny didn't seem to have any problem getting female company and it didn't seem like it would turn into anything serious. Danny didn't seem like a serious person.

  “Okay, just take it easy at first and don't worry if you fall off. The water isn't going to hurt you, and it's not going to swallow you up,” Matt said as he helped her onto the board. At first he held her tightly and let her sit on the board with her legs dangling off the side. Her hands were planted against the surface of the board and water dripped down her body. Matt remained in the water, and he dragged her along until the water reached his chest. While he waded through the sea they spoke about his life as a surfer.

  “There's nothing more peaceful than being out there. I haven't had an easy life, y'know, I mean, I've had it a lot better than some people but I didn't really have anything to aim for when I was growing up so when I found surfing it was like I'd found my purpose. I don't know if I believe in destiny and things like that, all I know is that I wouldn't be the man I am today if I hadn't started surfing. There's just something about being out on the water, feeling the waves rise underneath you and carry you. It's like you're at the mercy of the water but also like you're in complete control. It's kinda like what being in love feels like.”

  “You've been in love before?”

  “Hasn't everyone? It wasn't a happy love though. She ended up leaving me because she didn't think I was doing enough with my life. When has being happy not doing enough? But that was a long time ago now.”

  “You must have a lot of girls after you though.”

  “Nah, that's more Danny's thing, they really dig the accent. I probably could if I tried but that's a young man's game. I just like to teach and spread the love try and help people find the same sort of peace out there that I enjoy.”

  “I could definitely use some of that,” she said, and smiled at him. As she looked into his dark, hooded eyes she found herself drifting off into them, as if they were the sea and she was sinking into them. He had a darkness about him that was a sharp contrast to Danny's exuberance. The two were like a yin-yang, and she wasn't sure which one attracted her more.

  Matt steadied the board and told her to stand up. Amanda drew in a sharp breath and slowly rose to her feet. Matt reminded her of the stance that helped her balance, and she shifted her feet to accommodate for that. She held her arms out wide and kept her body slightly crouched. She could feel her knees shake but she was upright, and she smiled.

  “That's great!” Matt praised. “Now just try and relax and feel the way the sled moves under your feet. Feel the water underneath, let it guide you at first, just let it carry you,” he said. Amanda felt it, felt the trembling rush of waves underneath her. The board was uneven and wobbled, but she managed to maintain her balance. Matt was there by her side offering constant words of encouragement.

  “Now I want you to tilt your body to try and guide the sled,” he said. Amanda nodded and clenched her
jaw as she leaned to the side and felt the waves lift her up. Then, suddenly, she felt herself becoming unbalanced. She tried to adjust but it was too late. Her eyes widened with panic as she knew that there was no way she could steady herself. Her arms waved helplessly beside her as she collapsed in the water, and felt it splash all around her. The surfboard spun away as she felt the salty water engulf her. But then there was something else. Matt's arms. She felt his strong biceps around her, pulling her above the surface again. She coughed and sputtered.

  “You okay?” he asked, suppressing a laugh. Amanda's arms clutched his bare skin. She breathed in heavily and tried to blink the water away from her eyes. He wiped her face and held her tightly. All she could do was muster a smile because being so close to his hot masculinity was almost too much for her to handle. Suddenly he was there in front of her, his lips puckered and ready to be kissed, his heart beating close to her hand, his arms holding her and never letting her go. There was a moment when something could have happened, she was sure of that, but the motion of the sea interrupted them as the board came back and prodded Matt sharply in his side. He let out a cry of surprise, and then released Amanda.