The Lifeguard
by Jens
"How hard can it be? It's not like a real job. I work eight hours a day at the grocery store. We lift heavy crates and deal with crabby managers all day. You get to sit out here in the sun and work on your tan, looking at all the hard-bodies. You've got it easy.
***
I'm watching the swimmers. Some bigger kids out on the raft were pushing each other, so I whistled at them. They laughed and sneered, but that's ok. I expect that from tourists. If they push again, I'll have to call them in. I'm worried about the smaller kids out there. I stand on the edge of the dock. Unless I make my presence felt for a while, they'll start pushing again right away.
***
"I can't believe you make $7.00 an hour doing this. It's a joke. Why don't you go home. I'll stay here and ogle that sixteen year old babe for you. What do you have to do to be a lifeguard? Take a class? You've got it good.
***
I scan toward the shore. I see a little girl. She's under. I leap. She has on one of those little kiddy innertubes -- the kind that are made out of clear plastic, with cartoon animals. It fits snugly around her waist. She has tipped over backward and her head has gone under the water. The innertube is drowning her. She is flailing her hands like she is doggie paddling but this just pushes her head farther under. Her lips are blue.
***
"Oh wow, look what's walking down the beach. Do you think she's a local? You lucky.... You get this every day.
***
I land in the waist deep water and barrel toward her. She's panicking, which is good. It means I'm not too late. Without breaking my stride, I shoot my arm around her waist and pull her out of the water. I tuck her under my arm like a football, and hold her securely. By the time we get to shore, she's throwing up water. Good girl, get rid of it.
***
"How old ya' think she is? Prolly illegal. Hell, what do I care right?
***
I set the girl on her feet and steady her shoulders. I kneel so I can look at her. She is confused and scared. That's normal. Her eyes look sharp though, and she's breathing fine. This one won't need a doctor. A woman comes charging down the beach. "Give me my baby!" she snarls. She snatches her child by the arm and drags her back up to the shade of the trees where she had been sipping her iced tea and talking with all the other mothers who seem to agree that the waves make a good baby-sitter.
***
"D'ya think she'd go out with me? Damn she's fine.
***
I walk back up to my stand and watch the swimmers. I hold tightly onto the armrests of my chair, so my shaking doesn't betray the waves of adrenaline still coursing through my body. I will myself to calm down, my heart to slow. It's going to be a long day, if I can't calm down.
***
"No, she probably has a boyfriend. Nobody looks like that and doesn't have a boyfriend. You scuzbag. I mean think about it, nothing really to do except watch the women and soak up the rays. You, my tan friend, have got it made."
"I know. . . I know."
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3.15.2002