Breathe // Bondi Rescue

chapter four

Standing at the water's edge, Reidy shook his head, impressed by Grace's ability to remain calm and collected during such a serious rescue. As he watched Grace turn the board around to the shore he muttered into the radio, "Grace got the woman. She seems okay."

"Copy," Jesse responded to Reidy from the tower via the radio. "That was pretty impressive. She's got skills," he said, clearly surprised. 

Sitting next to Jesse In the tower, Jethro watched Grace intently as she catches a wave back to shore through the binoculars he held up to his face. Keeping his eyes on Grace, Jethro grabbed his radio and announced to the boys, "What an ace. She's an absolute ace."

Reidy's voice crackled over the radio. "Grace the ace," he responded with a small laugh.

"Aw hell, mates. She's so beautiful." Jethro blurted out to the radio. Reidy's and other lifeguards' laughter could be heard over the radio. "She's quite lovely, isn't she?" Reidy responded.

"Careful, boys," Corey said from his spot on the north end of the beach, "I think she will fit right in."

//𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚎//

"Thank you so much," the woman on my board cried.

"It's all good! You doing all right?" Even after being rescued, the danger wasn't always averted. Secondary drowning was always a big concern, especially with people who were very close to going under.

Once we reached the sandbank, she was able to stand and walk. All good signs. "Did you swallow any water?" I asked her.

Shaking her head, she replied. "No. I guess I just got really panicked and tired. I can swim, but not well...so, I guess I just got really tired." We began walking out of the water, the camera crew followed us up to the buggy.

"You were caught in a rip," I explained. "It was strong enough that there wasn't really any way you could swim fast enough to get back to shore. Next time, swim parallel to the rip and you will get out of it." I pat her on the shoulder.

"Thank you so much." She turned to leave. She was clearly embarrassed, but I was just so thankful that I got there in time. Now I understood why so many of the boys say that saving a life is such a fulfilling experience.

Dragging the surfboard through the sand back to the buggy, I was met with a clapping Reidy. "Nice job, Ace!" he exclaimed. "Best first rescue I've ever seen." He stood there holding a towel and my shorts.

Breathing heavily, I smiled. "Ace?"

Reidy grinned at that. "Yeah. Grace the Ace." I laughed and took my shorts and the towel from his hands.

"Aw, I haven't proven myself yet." Secretly, I reveled in the nickname. Most of the guys have one nickname or another. Maybe, being accepted wouldn't be so difficult after all.

"Grace," a voice asked behind me, "how are you feeling about your rescue?" I turned around to find the Bondi Rescue camera crew.

"It was pretty intense," I began. "It really looked like she was in a bad way. When I got there she was really tired, but she hadn't swallowed any water. If I had gotten there seconds later, it could be a different story. I'm just glad she's sweet now." I felt Reidy rest his arm on my shoulder.

"Grace did a great job. She's gonna make a phenomenal lifeguard." He playfully shoved me. "I think she's earned the nickname Ace." I smiled at Reidy. The producer gave us a thumbs-up behind the cameraman, signaling that we could stop specifically addressing the camera.

Reidy and I got back into the buggy. "So, we're gonna go ahead and go up to the tower. Jesse and Corey are gonna trade with us so you can get some experience there today."

"Awesome, '' I responded, in the process of drying off. "I'd rather end my beach patrol on a good note anyway."

Reidy scoffed while smirking. "Believe me, everyone is already impressed with you. No need to worry."

⸺ ╳ ⸺

Arriving at the tower, Reidy and I were met by Jesse and Corey at the base of the stairs. They both congratulated me before hopping into the buggy Reidy and I just got out of and driving off to the South End.

"So, the tower is probably the most important resource we have. It gives us an invaluable vantage point. The most important rule is to never leave the tower unmanned, no matter what is happening on the beach. Like, if there's a resus happening on the beach, then the only one watching the water is the person in the tower." We walked through the tower doorway as Reidy continued. "Ideally, we have multiple lifeguards working in the tower so we can help patients who aren't in the water."

We walked around the corner to find the guy with the long blonde hair, Jethro, glancing over at us while holding a pair of binoculars in one hand. Following Reidy up to the windows, I thank took the seat next to him, putting me between him and Jethro. "How's it been so far up here, Jeff?" Reidy asked.

"Ah, the usual, been pretty calm other than Gracie's rescue," Jethro responded, looking right at me. He winked.

Reidy shook his head beside me. "Alright mates, eyes on the water." Grabbing a pair of binoculars I used them to watch a group of swimmers in a rip. The tower went quiet for a few moments.

All of the sudden, Jethro blurted out, "Gracie, where are you from?"

"Well," I began in a joking voice, "I'm from the United States. You couldn't tell?" Reidy snickered. "I was born and raised in Laguna Beach, California. It's south of LA," I clarified.

"California is such a beautiful state. I've been there a few times," Reidy said.

"I'll be honest, I've never been. But, I've heard good things," Jethro responded.

"It's alright, but I definitely prefer being here over there. I mean, there are some things I miss, but people are just more friendly and laid back." When I first decided to move to Sydney, I truly thought I would never want to come back to the U.S., but the thought of Laguna Beach always reminds me of that elusive idea of home.

"So why'd you move to Sydney then? You're a long way from home," Reidy asked, still watching the water.

I preferred to not talk about my parents' deaths, but sometimes, being vulnerable and honest with other people reaps unforeseen rewards. "Well," I began, "my parents died about six months ago in an accident. They were actually both Australian nationals, so I have dual citizenship. I didn't really have anything left in California, so I figured I should spend my time figuring out what made my parents fall in love with Sydney. They loved this city. I've visited many times, but I've never actually lived here, you know? So, here I am, I guess..." my voice trailed off.

I felt a light hand on my shoulder, and I looked over to see Reidy watching me. His usual smile was gone.

"Wow," Jethro said. I turned my head toward him. "I'm so sorry, Gracie. You're so strong." I nodded my head in thanks, too afraid to speak.

"Well, you've found a family here. We're here," Reidy said over my shoulder.

"Thank you," I said while smiling softly. Sometimes, there is no other way to describe how much someone's words mean to you other than by thanking them, even though the words seem too weak to describe what I am feeling.