Falling by A.L. Knorr

Author:A.L. Knorr [Knorr, A.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Intellectually Promiscuous Press

14

"You can register for snorkeling gear or book a sea kayak, just see this goofy guy here," a wide, dark fellow with a Spanish accent slapped a blond crewmate on the back. "This is Frederik. Myself, you can call me Valdez, and he, Ian." He pointed to a towering man with skin as black as coal. "We make up your sports crew, come and see us for any activity your little heart desires and we'll get you set up."

All of the guests were standing on the main deck for orientation. We'd been taken through the safety instructions already and had moved on to the sailing itinerary and activities timetable.

"For those of you who want something a little more exciting than snorkeling or kayaking, there is an opportunity to scuba dive on a beautiful little Spanish wreck in the middle of next week."

Already, most of the gray-haired heads were shaking back and forth in a 'no.'

My hand involuntarily tightened around Nathan's at the word 'wreck.'

"That would be awesome, hey Mir?" Nathan whispered. "I've never been scuba diving. Have you?"

I shook my head.

"Would you want to try it?"

The idea of putting on scuba gear was completely ridiculous. But if it meant we could go underwater together, then... How bad could it be? The idea of exploring a wreck with Nathan was a thrill that had never occurred to me we could share.

"Would you want to?" I asked.

"Absolutely, I've always wanted to try it. Just never had the opportunity."

Valdez continued, "Those of you who wish to dive and have your Open Water already can see Frederik to register, just make sure you have your papers. Those of you who have never dived before will have to see me for training before we arrive at the wreck site."

When the orientation was over, Nathan and I were the only two guests to register for the wreck dive. We had instructions to meet Valdez at the foredeck swimming pool the next morning to learn how to use the equipment in a safe environment.

From the moment I pulled the scuba mask over my face for the first time and put the regulator in my mouth, the days leading up to the dive vacillated between heaven and hell. Heaven was all the time spent with Nathan on board the ship, enjoying delicious dinners, island-hopping to lie on the beaches, and trying surfing for the first time off the coast of Nicaragua. Hell was every time we had a scuba lesson and I had to go underwater parading as a human with all the ridiculous gear and tanks strapped to me. I felt like a donkey laden with pots and pans. Breathing with tanks instead of gills was like wrapping layers of wet cloth over my mouth and nose. It baffled me that any human could tolerate this kind of torture, but to my utter shock, Nathan loved every minute of it.

"You don't seem to be enjoying yourself, Mir," he said one day after we'd wrapped up our third session of training.

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