by D C Grant
Chapter Twenty-six
After the helicopter had left, Josh let Chris lead him to the surf club. Chris gave him a coke and made him sit down. Mitch and Scott had been sent back to the bach to tell Bevan’s parents what had happened and where he was being taken. They said they would stop off at Josh’s house to tell his father to come collect him.
As Josh sipped his coke, Brendan and the driver of the inflatable came to join them. “Good work,” Brendan said, slapping him on the back.
“I don’t know if I did much good,” Josh said.
“Are you kidding?” Brendan said. “That guy would be dead if it wasn’t for you. The delays in getting out there in that surf, then searching for him … man, we wouldn’t have had a chance.”
“But he died out there, didn’t he?” Josh asked Brendan. “He’d stopped breathing. I know that.”
“Yes, but his heart was still going. But another few seconds and that would have stopped too. Once that happens, we’ve no hope of getting him back. The extra time you gave us saved his life.”
“I suppose this is where you say, this is what lifesaving is all about?” Josh said to Chris.
“It’s not always like this. It’s more like watching and waiting for something bad to happen and then hoping that it doesn’t.”
“But it does.”
“Yes, it does and that’s when it feels like you’re doing something worthwhile. You should try it one day.”
“Perhaps I will.” Josh looked up as a familiar figure came into the clubhouse.
“Josh!” It was his father. He rushed up to Josh and put his hands on his shoulders. “They said you’d almost drowned.”
“Drowned? No, not me. Bevan.”
“Bevan? Who’s Bevan?”
“He’s the guy … the guy that beat me up.” Josh thought it was about time he let his father know.
“He’s here?”
“Not any more. The chopper took him to hospital.”
“I don’t understand. What was he doing here and why didn’t you tell me?”
“Do you think I was going to tell you that? We haven’t been getting on too well lately, have we? Come on, let’s go home. I’ll tell you on the way. Cheers, Chris.”
They left the clubhouse and Josh told his father about Bevan and the beating and the past few days at Piha. When he’d finished he felt better. He was grateful that his father passed no comment, but instead listened almost silently, only interrupting when he wanted to clarify a point.
“And you saved him,” he said when Josh had finished.
‘I couldn’t let him drown,”
“No, I guess you couldn’t. I … just …” His father hesitated.
“What, Dad?”
“You saved someone’s life today. You’re not a boy any more. You’re a young man.”
“I have to save someone’s life to grow up?”
“No, it’s me, not you,” his father said, shaking his head. “You’re growing up and I have to remind myself of that.” He placed his arms on Josh’s shoulder. “You know, it’s hard for us parents to admit our children are growing up.”
“Why?”
His father smiled and said, “Because it means we’re getting older.”
Josh laughed as they turned into the driveway. A familiar car was parked in front of the bach.
“Hey, that’s Mum’s car!”
She came out onto the deck as they approached.
“Mum!” Josh cried and put his surfboard down so that he could run to her. He threw his arms around her and hugged her tightly.
“Goodness, Josh, I can’t remember the last time you hugged me. What is it? What’s the matter?”
“It’s a long story, Mum. I’ll tell you later.” He stepped back. “I’m glad you came back.”
“I brought Penny back. She’s next door.”
“Is Hayden all right?” Josh asked, thinking it ominous that Penny was at the bach and not at the hospital.
“He’s holding his own,” his mother said with a smile. “It’s just a matter of watching and waiting. Penny thought she’d come back, pack up the house and collect the car. Once Hayden wakes up, she won’t want to leave him so this seemed to be her only opportunity.”
“What about you?” his father asked softly, coming to stand alongside Josh. “Are you going back with her?”
She turned to him.
“No, I’m not going back. When I woke up this morning I knew I needed to be back here.” She looked at Josh. “If it was you that had been injured in that accident, I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself for not being here.” She held out her hand to his father. “No matter what we have to face in the future, we have to face it together.” Josh stepped back as his parents embraced.
Cyndi came out onto the deck and Josh scooped her up. She giggled and he smiled. His family was complete.
