Page 33 of Chasing Sunsets

“Thank you.”

“We’ll miss you the rest of the competition.”

“We’ll be at the finish line,” Floyd replied.

~

On the fourth day,Sadie, looking somewhat improved yet definitely not herself, said she wanted to drive. Encouraged she felt good enough to offer, Zack didn’t argue. He detected a slight shaking of her hands on the steering wheel, although nothing as bad as the first couple of days. She drove 180 miles to South Padre Island.

For the first challenge, they prepared two-hundred boxes of non-perishable food at the food bank. Then they traveled to the bayside. When Zack and Sadie arrived, Ruben and Tamara were discussing who should ski and who should weave baskets.

“Do you guys water ski?” Ruben asked.

Zack nodded.

“Neither of us has. Do you know which of us would do better?”

This was the first time someone requested their opinion during a challenge. Sometimes alliances were made between competitors, and they helped each other with tasks. On one hand, it usually slowed a team down to help another. On the other hand, it didn’t hurt for your competitors to feel like they owed you a favor.

“Which of you is more athletic?” Zack questioned.

“I am,” Ruben said as Tamara pointed at him.

“Then you should probably do it.”

“Wait,” Sadie interjected. “I think Tamara’s size will be an advantage over Ruben’s strength. Remember my cousin Tiger was too muscular to get up easily.”

Zack nodded. “She’s right.”

~

“Come on.” Sadie wavedfor Tamara to join her as she jogged down the dirt path where the signs led. Zack and Ruben headed in the other direction. “When you’re in the water waiting for the boat to take off, make sure your skis are aimed at the sky and tuck your knees as much as possible until you’re lifted out of the water and onto the skis. You’re so tiny, you’ll pop right up.”

“I hope so.” Tamara kept in step with her.

They ran to a long wooden pier where boats were lined up waiting. An engine roared as a boat slowed to the spot where two crew members pulled Uri out of the water. Blood gushed down his face. A crew member handed him a white towel.

The engine died as the boat continued to slowly coast toward the dock. A camera worker called from the boat, “You okay?”

“Yeah. Fine.” Uri wiped his wet, bloody face, then pressed the towel to the top of his head.”

Sadie hurried up and crouched close to him. “What happened?”

“When they threw the rope, I tried to catch the handle with my head.”

She chuckled. “Next time you might want to use your hand.”

“Good tip.”

“Want me to take a look?”

“If you would.” He pulled the now blood-soaked towel away.

“There’s so much blood,” Tamara uttered.

“Now look what you’ve done, Uri.” Sadie used the edge of the towel and found the open wound. It wasn’t deep, but anytime someone bled from the head, you’d think they were losing all their blood. “Tamara was already apprehensive, now she’s terrified.”

Sadie slightly pressed on the wound. She glanced up when she felt vibrations from the pier. Medics trotted their way.

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