Storymania - Boundless by Leah Russell

Boundless
Leah Russell

The bright morning sun peeked into my bedroom window. I walked across my wooden planked floor to my closet and slid my black Speedo® swimsuit over my tanned thighs and shoulders. Then, I found my faded blue mesh shorts and pulled them over my one-piece swimsuit.
“Same old. Same old,” ran through my head. Would today be any different? For the past two years, I have been living in Chattanooga Tennessee. I work at the Big Frog as a whitewater rafter. People, from all over the world, come to Big Frog to whitewater raft. I am their official tour guide. At one time, guiding people through the Ocoee River was truly an adventure everyday. Now, I dread at the thought of having to paddle one more group of people on a raft. Grabbing a scrunchie, I pulled my long curly hair back into a tight bun. Glancing in the mirror, I spotted bumps, but I just carelessly shrugged my shoulders
        I left my cabin and walked to the mess hall. I enjoyed two cherry bagels with chocolate milk. Brad, one of the emergency kayakers, stopped by my table. He easily was three times as tall as the table, but I knew I was taller. My dark brown eyes confidently reached to meet his overpowering blue eyes. “Ryan, are you eating your usual breakfast for luck? You know you have no talent or business to be one of us. I mean, after all, you are a girl.”

I glared directly back at him and shook my head. Brad walked away laughing. After throwing away my milk bottle, I raced towards the boathouse. Adults and children were already seated in the lobby area. Amidst all the other kayakers and rafting guides, I found my manager, Rory. His bright red buzz cut was noticeable along with his short and plump stature. “Rory!,” I yelled.
His head turned around while his big puffy red lips carelessly yelled out in his southern dialect, “What do ya want Ryan?”

“My assigned duty.”

His short fatty fingers flipped through pages on a clipboard. His eyebrows furrowed in frustration. “Why do ya always ask that? Your usual spot. Rafting guide! Go, because yer wasting time!”

I nodded in approval and thought, “Wait! Rory?!”

“Now what do ya want?”

“You and I need to meet in the conference room today.”

“I don’t think I have time Ryan.”

“Then, I’m putting my two weeks –“

“OKAY!,” Rory interrupted and continued, “We can meet together. How about 1:00 in my office?”

“Sounds great!”

From then on, the day seemed to inch by. Each section of the Ocoee River was put into slow motion, and I felt like I could have guided my whole raft blinded. Every twist, rapid, and wave had no intention of speeding me up. Even my rafters seemed more irritable and slower than usual.

A teenaged girl asked, “Why do we have to hold the top of our paddle? It hurts my hand.”

Rory had already explained the rules and procedures to the whole rafting unit, so I reminded her, “If you don’t hold it while you’re rowing, you could knock someone’s eye or even teeth out. It wouldn’t be pretty. I suggest you strongly hold onto it.”

Eventually, the tour ended. Feeling hopeless and aggravated, I decided to skip lunch and go for a run. I ran three miles when my clock read 12:45.

As I walked towards the boathouse, I felt my legs give in and wobble. My stomach boiled with excitement and energy. I deeply inhaled and exhaled several times and pictured myself calmly confronting Rory. “This is what I want. I can do this,” I repeated in my head. My legs carried me up the long flight of stairs to pass the lobby, gift shop, and café. I pushed a tan door that read, “Employees Only” and followed the drab hallway to the end.

I knocked on the last door to the right. “Come on in Ryan.”

I slowly walked in and took one last deep breath. Rory sat in a gray ripped swivel chair behind a desk covered with dozens of papers and folders. I sat in a yellow stiff backed chair, across from his desk, with my legs crossed.

“What brings ya here Ryan? I urge you to be direct.”

I looked fiercely into his relaxed hazel eyes. “I feel that I am experienced enough to be a white water kayaker. I’ve been with this company for two years. I‘ve been kayaking since I was twelve. I am strong and alert for being twenty-five years old. Also, I have a strong desire to experience the privilege of being an emergency kayaker.”

I let my shoulders fall to the ground when I finished talking. He turned his chair to face the blank white walls. I could feel the tension in the air; he was going to say “no.” When Rory turned his chair towards me, he repeated, “Ryan, I have no doubt you can kayak extremely well, but I can’t go against the company policy. Ya’ll need one more year of experience to apply for the emergency kayaking job. Ya know you need three to five years of experience. No exceptions.”

As Rory finished his last statement, he went back to filling out forms with his fancy black fountain pen. I wanted to shout at Rory till I was red in the face. Resisting the urge, I forcefully replied, “Thanks for your time Rory.”

I ran through the hallway, pushed the tan door open, and left the boathouse. I quickly skipped down the stairs and reached for the keys in my pocket. Running across the street, I spotted my white Jeep, climbed inside, and started the engine.

I started to drive away when Crash, one of the rafters, ran out of the mess hall and yelled, “Ryan!” His blue eyes seemed to sparkle at me. His long blonde locks were intricately braided into small cornrows. My foot pressed the brake as I rolled down my window and yelled back, “What Crash?”

“Rory told me on the walkie-talkie.”

“And he said no. So, I’m going kayaking on my own. Screw Rory.”

“I’m coming with you. Give me five minutes.” Without much of a choice, I parked my Jeep on the side of the road, switched the radio to my favorite country channel, and waited for Crash. Five minutes later, Crash showed up in his neon green wet suit. Crash threw his Spiderman lifejacket and orange paddle into the backseat of my Jeep. He murmured, “Three seconds” while running towards the boathouse.

A moment later, Crash emerged carrying a neon green kayak. “That’s not yours!,” I said.

“You’re just jealous,” he chuckled and added, “Yes, it is mine. It says ‘Crash me a rapid’ on both sides.”

I jumped up from my seat and followed Crash to the passenger side. In curly blue letters, I read the message. “Well, you fooled me. Since, when did you like to kayak anyway?”

A giant grin spread across his face. “Well, I prefer rafting if you ask me but my talent definitely lies with kayaking.”

Seated and belted in my Jeep, I drove out of the Big Frog complexity and turned left onto highway sixty-three. Right about that time, “One Hot Momma,” came on the radio.

“Come on Ryan! Gas it up. You gotta love this song.” Crash rolled down his window and sang loudly to the song.

I rolled down my window, hit the accelerator, and joined in with Crash. His bass voice blended well with my alto voice.

I turned right at the dropout spot for the Ocoee River and said, “I’m glad you’re here Crash.”

As I parked the Jeep in the first parking space, Crash opened his door, stepped out, and yelled, “This river is ours! Let’s do this, Ryan!”

I smiled brightly at Crash and agreed, “I’m ready for some full blown adventure.”

When our helmets were securely on our heads and our life jackets were on, Crash and I unloaded our kayaks. Resting my maroon kayak on the water, I carefully climbed inside and noticed that Crash was already paddling into the distance. I fiercely started paddling to catch up.

Swirling, rushing water carried Crash and me down the Ocoee River. “Paddle Ryan. Speed is your friend.”

“The waves are powerful today” I said.

“I think you’ve been on a raft for far too long. A kayak lets you experience everything closer up which is both good and bad,” Crash commented.

The raging water caused me to soar on water. I paddled twice on each side to quicken my pace. Crash and I were evenly paced as we flew down the Ocoee River. “You’re better than I thought Ryan. Now all we have to test is your endurance and tolerance.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet.”

Crash smiled lopsidedly and replied, “No one can beat me, the crash of all crashes.”

I laughed and shook my head. In the corners of my eyes, trees and rocks were blurred into green and gray blobs. Kayaking was so different from rafting.

“Here comes the 360! The turbulent twister! Get ready!,” Crashed hollered.

I made long full strokes on each side of my kayak. I held my paddle on the left side of my kayak. The raging rapids pulled me into the circle almost like a tornado immediately thrusting my kayak to the left and pulling me with it. When I felt the jolt, I screamed, “Ahhhhhh!”

Wind and water blasted into my face and chest. I paddled quickly to overcome the wave. Crash waited for me nearby.

“That was incredible Crash,” I repeated.

“Good job Ryan! You looked crazy up there.” He smiled brightly at me. “So, you think you can wait a year?”

“It will be hard, but I will have to be patient. Patience isn’t one of my strong points.”

“Well, you’ll just have to go kayaking with me every week to get your mind off the time.”

I nodded in agreement as we continued to paddle down the Ocoee River. After three more sets of rapids, we found ourselves back at the dropout spot. I grabbed a blanket out of my Jeep for us to dry off with.

When we were finished, Crash said, “Did you know that ninety percent of kayaking is talent and ten percent is in the kayak and paddle?”

“No, I didn’t know that. I did know that about playing an instrument. I guess the rule can apply for many things.”

Crash added, “Cooking, sewing, reading, driving, exercising –.”

“Okay, I get the point Crash! You’re only as smart as you’ll let your mind be. Be better than the appliance right?”

“Right!,” Crash answered.

When everything was packed up, we climbed into my Jeep and went back home to Big Frog. This time, I didn’t turn on the radio. The silence between Crash and I was nice. When I came to a red light, I paused for a second to close my eyes. I wanted to preserve the kayaking experience in my mind forever.

Crash punched my shoulder when the light turned green. “Sorry,” I whispered.

“You all right?”

“Yea, fine,” I answered waving my hand at him.

When I rolled down the big hill, I saw a Chattanooga ambulance with its back doors open. When I parked my Jeep in the parking lot, I noticed a bunch of people huddled together with a darkened expression on their faces.

“What’s wrong?,” Crash questioned.

“I don’t know, but it doesn’t look good.”

Crash replied, “I say it’s better if we give everybody space. Someone’s been hurt. We’ll find out soon enough.”

“Good idea,” I said as I trekked over the grassy hill to my small wooden cabin. On my small porch, I laid my paddle down along with my helmet and lifejacket. I took a twenty-minute shower, soaped every part of my body, and washed my hair with shampoo and conditioner. Once done, I put on my favorite gray sweatpants and matching hoodie. Opening my small brown refrigerator, I pulled out my small container of Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia® ice cream.

I turned on my DVD player and television. I inserted my favorite DVD, “Dirty Dancing: Hava Nights.” I sat cross-legged on my bed, while eating my favorite ice cream, to watch my ideal movie. When I finished my ice cream, I crawled under my covers and fell asleep to the Cuban voices and Latin music.

The next morning, I heard a loud rapping on my wooden door. I popped my head up and said, “You’re not serious?” The knocking continued.

I managed to awaken my fatigued body and walk to my door. I opened the door and released a huge yawn. “Good morning sleepyhead,” was all I heard.

“Huh?” My dilated eyes shrunk to the size of little dots. I saw Rory’s bright orange T-shirt clash with his flaming red hair.

“I need ya Ryan. Right now.”

“What?”

“One of our kayakers failed to rescue a nine-year old girl from the river yesterday. We’ve terminated his contract forever. His attitude didn’t help the situation.”

My mouth dropped open in disbelief. “Are you serious? Okay, that explains why Crash and I saw the ambulance yesterday. How’s the girl?”

“I am sorry to report that she’s dead,” Rory said.

“That’s horrible.” I paused to stare at the ground. Her life had changed in an instant.

Rory’s voice interrupted my thoughts, “Do ya want to be a kayaker?”

“Yes, but I have a few questions.”

“Okay, shoot Ryan.”

“Who didn’t save the girl?”

“Brad.”

I said, “I bet he feels horrible right now. Anyway, why do you want me for the job? Why not Crash? He’s a really good kayaker.”

“There’s one major difference between you and Crash. Crash enjoys rafting more than kayaking. Ryan, Crash told me about your kayaking yesterday. He said ya were beyond phenomenal and even fearless! Your heart belongs to kayaking Ryan. So, what do ya say?”

“Hell yeah!,” I shouted while leaping to touch the doorframe. I paused a second to take a deep breath. “So, when do I start?”

“In ten minutes. See ya down at the boathouse.”

My heart soared to my throat while blocking my trachea. I inhaled deeply and tried to retain my resting heartbeat. I ran to my closet door, found my favorite red two-piece swimsuit, and quickly put it on. Now, I could wear two piece swimsuits and even ignore the customers.

I grabbed my towel and left my cabin. While standing on my porch, I picked up my paddle, lifejacket, and helmet. Crash’s blonde cornrows were bouncing in the distant. “Hey Crash,” I yelled while holding my maroon paddle high into the air.

He waved his big hand at me from a distance. “Are you ready to save some lives Ryan?”

“Yes! I’ve never been more excited for a tour than now.”

When I saw Crash up close, my eyes became glued to his neon green Speedos®. “Do you really have to wear those Speedos®? And why do they match your kayak and paddle?”

“I thought you felt mutually about my love for the color green.”

I shook my head as we headed down to the boathouse. My eyes shifted towards the dining hall. Today, I could spare no time to fill my aching stomach. Nonetheless, I continued to smile brightly.

I ran to the parking lot and shoved my lifejacket, helmet, and paddle next to my kayak. As the many buses loaded up, Rory called, “Emergency kayakers over here!”

Ten heads turned instantly, including mine, and followed Rory’s voice. I joined the circle around Rory. “Brad is no longer with us. He is gone for obvious reasons. I have recruited this pastime rafter, Ryan, to replace him,” Rory paused a second and pointed his finger at me. He continued, “I do feel bad about bending the rules a bit, but let me tell you, she’s just as good as Crash. For those of you who have had the fortune of seeing Crash kayak, Crash is an award winning kayaker. Be confident today folks. Stay alert. People are not invincible. Do it right.”

The customers loaded all of the buses. I saw Crash suiting up the last of the customers in lifejackets and helmets. Other rafters were tying down the rafts to the tops of the buses. Someone said, “I bet you’re glad you don’t have to do that anymore.”

I immediately flipped around. A seemingly short girl, with long blonde hair neatly pulled back, held out her fragile hand and said, “I’m Molly.”

I shook her hand and replied, “Ryan. And yes I’m glad I don’t have to do that.”

We both laughed. “I just wanted to wish you the best on your first tour as a kayaker.”

I smiled and said, “Thank you so much. I am so excited.”

“Well, it looks like we’re leaving. See you in the river!”

I walked to my Jeep and got in. After starting my car, I followed all the buses in front of me. I rolled down my windows and let the cool air inside. Within ten minutes, I arrived at the same dropout spot as yesterday. My heart now seemed to reside in my mouth. I let my mouth drop open to inhale more air. Now, I felt like I was in back in my bed just dreaming away. I pinched myself extremely hard. I shook my head to bring myself to reality.

While the rafting groups were being assembled and informed more, I put on my lifejacket and helmet. When I handed Rory my keys, he said, “Ryan, I’ll keep these safe for ya. You’re going to be at the back of the unit today.”

“The very back?”

“Oh yeah. And I suggest that ya keep up. Crash will be keeping an eye on ya. Ya know how he likes to be the last to end all fun and get the last word in. Be careful and alert.”

I gave him a huge hug. “This is more than I imagined. Thank you.”

“Get goin’.”

Before I knew it, the rafting groups were assembled and off into the water. I put my kayak into the water and followed them out. A splash of cool water hit me in the face.

“I guess we’re kayaking partners then?”

I turned my head to meet the culprit. It was Molly. “Huh? Yeah.”

       “They always put two kayakers together in different spots. Brad used to be my partner. I swear he never stopped hitting on me,” Molly shared.

I laughed, “Sounds like Brad. He hated my guts.”

        “Well, I’m glad you’re my buddy.”

“Me too.” I grew more silent as we started to approach the rapids. My heart could sense the adventure and risk. It started to beat faster and faster. Sweat seemed to rain from all of my glands.

Screams emitted from people as they experienced their first rapid. I fought the waves with my paddle as much as I could. With each foaming wave, I paddled faster. My eyes glued themselves to the people in front of me. I counted three rafts with a total of nine people in each raft. “It’s going to stay that way,” I thought.

I felt Molly’s eyes staring at me. “What?,” I demanded.

“You’re just as good as Rory said.”

I just shrugged my shoulders and continued to watch the rafters. When the tour was half over, my attention span wore out. My muscles burned already from all the paddling. “How do you do it Molly?”

“Practice and time Ryan.”

“I shouldn’t have gone kayaking yesterday. Then again, I didn’t even know I would ever be a kayaker,” I uttered.

“Well you got your wish,” Molly replied.

“If I would have had a choice, I would have preferred for Brad to save that girl.”

“It’s destiny Ryan. You can’t change it.”

I nodded my head as I continued to watch the rafters. I felt a splash of water hit my face again. I turned my head and complained, “Now, what do you want?”

“A little advice for you Ryan. When you least expect it, something horrible will happen. You won’t be aware or even prepared. Kayaking is good fun, but don’t forget you’re on duty. Never stop being vigilant.”

I nodded my head as I listened to Molly. When a rock interrupted my path, I paddled to the right of my kayak and paddled past it.

“There’s one more thing Ryan. You can’t ever be scared. Never be scared of messing up. If you are, then you’ll just mess up.”

“How long have you been kayaking?”

Molly confidently answered, “This marks my fifth year.”

I questioned her again,“And you love it?”

“Yes. I love being in nature and staying in such excellent shape.”

“That’s great.” The white bubbling water carried me past my favorite 360 twist. I didn’t follow through with the twist this time, because my eyes were fastened to all of the rafters. As I watched Crash’s crew do a full 360, he stood up in his green Speedo® and all, threw up his paddle, and yelled, “You gotta love it Ryan!”

I laughed for what seemed a full five minutes. After the tour, I ran to put my belongings away. As I retrieved my keys from Rory, he asked, “Going to get some breakfast, are ya?”

“More like some lunch. I have to be fueled and charged for tomorrow’s tour.”

On hearing my response, his chubby cheeks poked out as he was smiling fully. “That’s good to hear Ryan. Looks like your first tour was a success.”

I smiled back at him and replied, “There will be many more to come.”

Crash ran up to Rory and yelled, “Hey Coach!”

“What do ya want?”

“Can I please, please, please go get some grits with Ryan?”

“Only this once.”

Crash screamed, “Yessssss!” as he picked up Rory and softly placed him back down on the ground again.

“Thank you Rory,” I answered. Crash and I climbed into my Jeep.

“How about Fazoli’s®?,” I asked.

“Yea!”

Ten minutes later, Crash and I were walking into Fazoli’s®. Many people seemed to stare rudely and blatantly at us. I still wore my red two-piece swimsuit and mesh shorts. Crash also sported his green neon Speedos®.

I said, “You look pretty good in those you know?”

“Why thank you. I knew you’d come around to the color green.” He smiled lopsidedly at me. I stared deeply into his blue eyes and smiled.

“You’re looking pretty good in that two-piece of yours too you know.”

“Thank you Crash,” I answered. I wrapped my huge arms around his thin body and slowly said, “Thank you also Crash for being such a great friend these last few days. You have made my life so much more interesting and exciting. You are the biggest and baddest Crash there ever was.” Crash and I gobbled down our pizza as we never stopped talking about the rafting and kayaking.