That Day by Karen Deen (best novels to read in english txt) 📕

“You’re doing great.” Kurt squeezes my hand a little harder the farther we go into the water.

The floor of the ocean under my feet, uneven and soft, makes it hard to walk. Every time I put my foot down, the sand is shifting through my toes and below my feet. It’s a funny sensation and hard to get used to. Your body is constantly moving.

The water is so different to a pool. It feels a little rough in texture. It must be the salt and sand that is churning around in it.

Once the water is up around my waist, I stop and try to get my bearings.

“See, it’s not that bad, is it? You can still stand up and the waves are breaking far enough away that you’re okay.”

“Yeah. I can manage this,” I reply, not about to take my eyes off the waves in front of us.

I’m not sure how long we stand there just getting used to the waves, but I’m starting to feel more relaxed. Kurt pulls me closer and puts my body in front of his, wrapping his arms around my waist. He leans down to talk in my ear so I can hear him over the sounds of the crashing waves.

“I want to take you out past the waves now. And before you freak out, just listen to me, okay?” I’m about to say no straight up but bite my tongue at the last minute.

“I want you to hop on my back like a piggyback. Wrap your arms around my neck but not so tight where you’ll cut off my breath. Then I’m going to head out and dive under the waves to get us out past the break. So, when I’m ready to dive, you need to close your eyes and take a big breath in, holding it until we pop up again. But listen for my voice because if I call out again, it means quickly take another breath before the next wave. Once we’re out back, you will love it. It’s so relaxing just floating out there.”

“I totally doubt that, but I have a feeling you won’t take no for an answer, will you.” I’m petrified of what we are about to do.

“I’m not that mean. If you really don’t want to do it, we can stay here. But I just think you made it this far, let’s go all the way. Sometimes it’s exciting to break through a fear.”

Kurt’s words are running around in my head.

In the last four years, I have felt fear so many times I’ve lost count.

This fear is nothing like that, it’s actually something that has my adrenaline going for a good reason.

Actually, not just a good reason, it’s for a fun reason.

I’m out spending time with Kurt who wants me to start living a normal life, by showing me all the things he loves to do. I can’t take that away from him.

If I can push through all the fear I’ve had up until now, then surely, I can do this.

I mean, it’s not like I could drown or anything. I laugh a little out loud to myself at my own stupid thoughts.

“Umm, not quite the reaction I was expecting, but I’ll take it.” Kurt’s voice comes from behind me.

“Yeah, well, I’m sure I’ll live to regret this but, okay. Let’s do this, and if I drown, I’m coming back to haunt your sorry ass.” I step to the side of him to move behind him.

“If I’m stupid enough to let you drown then I deserve for you to haunt me with loud chains in the night and spooky noises. But you won’t be able to do that because I’d be dead too. I told you that I’ll die before I let something happen to you. So less talking and more climbing on board, little one. It’s time for some fun.”

Kurt crouches down so I have even a chance of getting on his back. I jump up and latch on like a baby monkey.

“Remember, don’t choke me, otherwise we are both in trouble. Are you ready?” Kurt is holding onto my legs wrapped around his waist.

“Fuck no, but let’s go anyway,” I yell, and he just laughs as we start moving out farther into the water.

The waves are getting taller in front of us, and as that happens, the water around us drops while the ocean sucks it back out, before the wave then breaks and rushes the water back towards us.

Oh god, this is really happening!

Kurt starts running towards the wave and yells to me. “Now!” As his hands go out to dive into the middle of the wave, I close my eyes and take the biggest breath I can manage.

The wall of water hits us, and I cling on for dear life. They aren’t kidding when they say it’s like being in a washing machine. The power of the wave is more than you can imagine.

Popping up out of the water, I gasp for more air, and before I can open my eyes, he shouts again and the water smashes over us once more.

Three more times we do this, as well as floating up over the top of some of the waves that then break after they have gone past us. Until finally, I get to open my eyes and see the rolling swell of the sea in front of us and no big waves.

Breathing rapidly, I try to fill my lungs again.

Kurt’s hands on mine loosen them a little from his neck. Oops, even though I tried not to, I’m sure they were tighter than I meant to.

“You okay, baby?” he asks a little louder so I can hear him.

“Surprisingly, yes.” I start laughing, which I’m sure is partly the release of my nervousness and partly because it seems silly that I was so scared.

“Drop your legs and I’ll spin you around to my front.” Kurt’s legs are kicking under the water to keep us