Guarding Lives
This story is based on a true story. My sister wrote this story to ease the shock and concern for her son’s horrible experience.
Things were beginning to look up for June and her family — finally. They bought a fixer-upper home, but it was theirs. Their little, much-deserved piece of Heaven, especially considering what they had left behind.
Luke was delighted to have a job and made better money to support his family. Luke is a very family-oriented man. Some days, he gets angry with his limitations but powerfully moves forward.
Charlotte, their daughter, is a strong-willed creative young woman. She is gifted with drawing. Charlie, her preferred nickname, tends to enjoy time with her family. How often is that said about most young teenagers?
Jake, their son, a little older than Cher, is bright and gets good grades in school. He was ready to work- a desire to help his family drove him to want to be a lifeguard, or maybe it was his fascination with sharks. Either way, he was determined to get a job.
Being apprehensive and enthusiastic, June and Luke supported Jake’s newest dream. Thankfully the hope to be a megalodon trainer is well behind him. With his realistic dream, June was worried but also knew Jake needed to spread his wings, and this was something she wasn’t looking forward to — his first job.
June took many deep breaths when she brought Jake to the required classes to become a certified lifeguard. She praised Jake through to his successful completion.
Her baby boy was a lifeguard, and her heart swelled with joy. Along with the nervousness any dedicated mom has for her kids.
With all of the excitement around Jake’s new adventure, June took a moment to look at her daughter, and for the first time, June noticed how much Charlie had matured. Being outspoken, Charlotte informed June that she wished Jake had more training so she could spend extra time alone with her mother.
Charlie said she would miss playing video games with Jakob when he started his job. June was not as good of a competitor as Jake. Charlie would be frustrated with June when she tried to play the games with her, “Forget it, mom,” and rolling her eyes with a smile.
Jake enjoyed his job. It felt good to be part of his community. After a few weeks passed, June received a phone call she had never considered.
“June, it’s Brandon. Have you talked to Jake?”
Her guts hurt, and many god-awful thoughts crossed her mind within the second it took her to answer, “No. Jake should be on his way home.” She paused, “Brandon, why?”
“June, I’m leaving the lake now. I will be there to get you. Is Luke home…” and then silence.
“Fucking cellphones!” She frantically called Brandon, “Come on, answer the damned phone!”
“June, I am almost at your house.” Faintly she heard the words, “accident at the lake,” static, “Jake isn’t coming home,” and silence again.
Charlie saw Brandon speeding up the road, “Mom, Brandon is here.”
“Cher, I’ll be back. It’s going to be okay. Please, stay here.” Dread, fear, and urgency carried her wobbly legs to the truck.
Charlie agreed to her mother’s frantic words with concern in her eyes. Charlie wanted to ask what was happening, but she couldn’t. Not now.
As June jumped into the truck, she demanded, “What happened? Where is he? God damn, Brandon, say something! Anything!”
“June, Jake is doing better than anyone could imagine after what happened.”
Trying to pull herself together, she clenched her jaw, “Where is my son? Where is he, Brandon?”
He pulled to the side of the road, “I need you to listen to me. Physically, Jake is doing well. My concern is how he will be emotionally after what happened.”
“Jump to the chase, Brandon,” her breath was hot on his face.
“As Jake was getting things ready to close the lake, a little girl told him her floats floated away. Jake jumped into the water to see if he could find them, but the water was too murky,” before he could continue, June abruptly interrupted, “Where is my boy?”
They pulled closer to the lake; there were police cars, an ambulance, a team of investigators, and the most terrifying, the coroner. June’s heart sank into the pit of her stomach.
She closed her eyes as she remembered Jake had told her all morning that he had a gut feeling that something was going to happen; he didn’t know what or when. But, like June often did, he pushed the feeling aside and continued to go to work.
“June, hello?” She opened her eyes, “Jake pulled a man out of the water today,” he paused, “the man was dead.”
June gasped with an equal sign of relief, “Take me to Jake. Now.”
As they drew closer, she saw Jake wrapped in a towel; he was shivering. When his eyes met hers, she saw him fighting back the tears — trying to be brave for her.
June ran up to him and swung her arms around him. She hoped that this would take away the anxiety and fear. He quietly told her, “Mom, his eyes,” his voice shook, “his eyes were gray and lifeless. I tried,” he gasped, “I tried so hard. We tried, and he died anyway.”
It felt like hours that she held him close to her.
Brandon later shared that the victim had severe heart problems, and there wasn’t anything medical rescue, or Jake could do to save the man’s life.
Knowing that doesn’t stop the horrific nightmares from jolting Jake awake in terror.
Through his fear of finding another dead body, he courageously goes to work each day, hoping the swimmers will be safe.
Looking back at Jake’s younger years, maybe being an imaginary megalodon tamer wasn’t that bad.
THE END
Billie-Marie Tanney
2022
