Page 101 of I'll Carry You

ChapterThirty-Three

Twenty years earlier

The tasteof barbecue chips clung to Jason’s lips as he sat on the pier, feet swinging off the side.

The waters of Lake Michigan stretched in front of him, glistening in the sun. They’d been up since four o’clock, when Jason and Kevin had snuck into their parents’ bedroom. “This is the best time to go fishing.” They’d wheedled and whined—until their dad had promised them that if they didn’t wake up their mother, he’d take them.

But they hadn’t caught anything.

Four hours of sitting there and nothing. At least the July temperatures hadn’t made it so bad. And their dad had let them stop at McDonald’s for breakfast.

Dad wound the fishing line up, tying it off as Kevin climbed the rails of the pier. “Jason, I’m going to go pack up the car with this stuff here.” He pointed at some of the gear and chairs they’d brought. “Keep an eye on your brother until I get back, and then you boys can help me carry the rest.”

Dad was barely out of view when Kevin hopped up on the top of the rails. “Watch my balance,” Kevin said, grinning with two big front teeth that didn’t match the rest of his mouth.

“Get down. Dad doesn’t like you climbing up there.” Jason stood, frowning down at the churning waters below.

“You’re a sissy.” Kevin laughed, then stuck his arms out wide. “I won’t fall. You’re just afraid to do it.”

“I’m not afraid.” Jason puffed out indignantly.

“Fine, then you just can’t do it.” Kevin continued his balance beam act, walking the length of the rail until he reached the corner.

Jason rolled his eyes, then climbed up onto the rails. He put one foot securely on the top plank, then the other and stood straight. “I’ve been climbing since before you were born.”

Kevin lifted his leg. “Okay, then let’s see who can stand here longest on one foot.”

Before Jason could respond, Kevin wobbled. He tried to put his leg down but missed, his foot catching the air behind him.

Jason watched in horror as Kevin’s face froze in shock. Then he plunged off the side of the pier, legs and arms flailing, into the deep waters below.

The yell that ripped from Jason’s throat sounded as though it had come from somewhere else. Had Kevin yelled, too? Jason took one step forward, his palms sweating, hands aching. He jumped off the rails, then squatted, looking for Kevin’s head to come up. Circles rippled in the water where Kevin had dropped.

Jason didn’t see him. “Kevin!”

He looked back toward the parking lot. It was too far away for his father to have seen. And the other people on the pier were several feet away. When Kevin still didn’t turn up, Jason jumped, feet first.

The fall was faster than he expected. He plunged into the cold water, bubbles around his eyes and nose and face, the water dark. His arms immediately went into action, clawing toward the surface until he broke free and gulped a deep breath.

Where was Kevin? “Kevin!” He called his name repeatedly. Where had he gone? Swimming out farther, he looked back toward the pier. Then he saw him. Kevin was climbing out onto the rocks near the base of the pier. He waved toward Jason.

The relief that filled Jason made his arms and legs shake. Kevin was safe. He wasn’t dead.

Jason started the swim back when something brushed his leg. He shivered, then went the long way around the pier instead of the dark water under it. The more he swam, though, the more he didn’t feel as though he was going anywhere. The water seemed to tug him along, pulling him in the direction it wanted rather than where he wanted to go.

Jason pushed harder. Panic slid up his body, his arms and legs exhausted from the struggle. He couldn’t get out.

A wave crashed over his head, and his head went under.

The waves broke over his head, and he was kicking, kicking, exhausted. Water filled his nose, and he felt himself being pulled by the currents. Powerless to get out of them.

As exhaustion increased, so did his fear. Water filled his nose, choking him, stinging his throat.

Then powerful arms locked around him.

Dad’s voice was in his ear. “Hang on tight, Jason. I’ll carry you.”

Dad swam, but they kept getting pulled out, farther and farther. Still, Jason clung to his neck, his body shaking, his muscles relaxing in the strength of his father. He was no longer alone.

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