Page 103 of Catch a Wave

“I hear from him. He’s doing well.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear it. Our readers and viewers would love to know if you two are ever getting back together.”

“We’ve each been through a lot. We’re supportive of one another. He’s a special man.”

“Okay. So you’d rather not talk about Bodhi.”

Ding. Ding. Ding. And the winner is, Megan!

“This interview is about me, my accident at Mavericks, and my recovery. I’d like to focus on that. If Bodhi and I ever officially get back together, we’ll call you. Does that work?”

“It works, Kalaine. I hope I didn’t overstep. It’s sort of my job to ask the hard questions—the ones everyone wants me to ask on their behalf.”

“I get it.”

We go on to talk about my plans. I mention the Vans event in Huntington, which is the weekend before the charity surf event in San Diego—the one Bodhi still refuses to attend. Then we wrap up and the camera finally turns off.

“I’m sorry, Kalaine.” Megan looks contrite. “I didn’t mean to go into a subject that was off limits by bringing up Bodhi. I just figured when I saw the two of you together …”

“We’re still figuring things out. It’s not at the level where either of us wants details out in the public eye yet.”

“I should have asked you off camera first. I’m truly sorry.”

“No problem. I trust you to keep things between us until I get a hold of you with any status update. If I ever have one.”

I stop talking. No need to yammer on about all my uncertainties with Bodhi. Ever since our talk in the kitchen we’ve been more affectionate, even in front of Kai.

It took a lot for Bodhi to tell me all his fears and the details of what happened after his fall. He comes across as easy-going, and he is, but admitting his struggles has always been an issue. It’s like he thinks his weaknesses will hold me back, so he tries to protect me from them. I’d love to be the woman who teaches him that weakness is strength when it’s shared with the ones we love. I’m not sure if he’s going to extend me that privilege.

I’m sittingon the couch with Shaka, reading a book I picked up called,Life on the Edge: A Story of Ten Big Wave Surfers. My phone rings with an unknown number. In small print under the area code, it says, San Diego, so I answer.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Kalaine. It’s me, Jammer. Do you remember me?”

“Sure, Jammer.”

“I just saw the piece on YouTube—your interview with Megan Woodruff fromSurfer?”

“Yeah? I didn’t realize it was live yet. I was out in the water this morning and then I went to work. I’m just curling up with a book right now. Actually, you’re mentioned in one of the stories.”

“Is thatLife on the Edge?”

“It is. How’d you guess?”

“I’m not included in too many books—not like you and Bodhi. Anyway, I was calling you about something specific. Not just the interview.”

“If it’s about getting Bodhi to come down, I don’t think I can help you out.”

“Nah. He’s already shot me down a bunch of times. I’m getting the hint. He wants me to back off. I’ve left him alone after the last string of texts we sent one another.”

I run my hand down Shaka’s back.

“What do you need then?”

“Well, I wasn’t aware you were back in the water until I saw the vid on YouTube. I thought you might want to come hang. You’ll know a lot of people down here. You said you and Dan were considering what’s next. There are a lot of shoulders youmight want to bump into—people who might be instrumental in helping you get back into contests and even some new sponsors. If not that, you could just see some old friends. Ride some waves if you want. Or not. We’d all love to see you.”

“Wow. That’s … thanks. Can you give me a minute to think this over? I’d really love to say yes. I just need to think.”

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