Page 48 of When Love Is Lost and Found

There were fifteen men on board, including our commanding officer and two crewmembers.

"Jimmy," I said. "I think we should take off our gear. We have to get ready in case of an evacuation."

"I don't think it'll come to that," he said.

I couldn't believe how calm he was while my nerves were on high alert.

"Jimmy, this stuff doesn't float," I reminded him.

"The water is almost to our knees, Sir!" exclaimed a crew member.

"The second they open that hatch," I said, "we have to be ready. "Jimmy, are you listening?!"

"Let's not panic just yet," was his reply.

"I think this is a perfect time to panic," said the recruit sitting beside me.

The vehicle rocked back and forth, and as soon as they opened the hatch, it started taking in water a lot faster than it could expel it, and then the power went out.

I could hardly see Jimmy in the almost pitch-black compartment, but I knew he could hear me—even with all the noise, voices, and chaos, I prayed he was listening.

"Jimmy," I said, "take your gear off now!"

"The rescue vehicle is here, men!" Fletcher's voice pierced through the darkness. "Stand to your feet and prepare to evacuate."

By then, the water was up to our chests. We all stood and started unfastening our gear and dropping it where we stood. The men in front of me started heading for the exit, which meant Jimmy would be one of the last to climb out of the vehicle.

"Jimmy," I said. "Switch places with me." I was third in line.

"I'm okay, Jon. I can hold my breath a lot longer than you can. Go!"

Those were the last words he ever said to me.

To this day, I don't know why I offered him my spot, but in hindsight, I know that if he had taken me up on it, we would both still be here.

"Linder!" Fletcher yelled, "Move it!"

I had no other choice but to follow orders.

Once outside, I waited, watching each man exit the vehicle and cross over to the rescue vehicle floating alongside ours.

"Where's Bowman?!" I asked when Jimmy didn't emerge.

"He was helping Smitty remove his gear," someone said right before a giant wave slammed into us, causing our vehicle to begin tilting to one side.

"No, no!" I screamed, "The compartment is filling up with water. It can't hold!" I threw myself forward to keep from falling.

"Jimmy!" I screamed. "Jimmy!" I watched as one more recruit, a crewmember, and Fletcher exited the vehicle.

"Where's Jimmy?!" I asked.

"He's right behind us," Fletcher said.

The waves were higher now, filling the vehicle almost to the top. It was going to sink. When the rest of the men safely crossed over to the other vehicle, Fletcher and I were the only ones left. He got down on his knees and looked inside the compartment. "Bowman, can you hear me?! Bowman!"

"Is he there? I asked, growing more frantic by the second. "Can you see him?"

I reached for the hatch opening and grabbed onto the edge to prevent myself from slipping off the tilting vehicle. When I looked inside, all I could see was water and darkness.

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