Freedom To Surf (Jesse Polock Daughter Story)

Dispar

Riley's pov

You never wake up expecting that day to be potentially your last or to end up on the side of a mountain clinging on for dear life or getting stuck in a really bad car crash, or someone crashing their head into a sand bank.... anything can happen. Honestly, waking up in my house all safe, sound and warm, and returning to that safe, warm place unharmed is such a blessing that I don't appreciate it enough.

I do enjoy the random, sentimental thoughts I get while walking to work, I see the familiar shops and sand scattered on the pavements as the beach comes into view, wow do I feel lucky to work here, in reality, it's just like any job. Yes, really! It reminds me of one of my friends who used to work as a cashier, you get people who are idiots in both jobs, and you make an impact and help people's lives, sorta, that's more of my thing but still, um... your job still benefit people, in that, she keeps people from going hungry and overcharging them and I keep people from drowning, so yeah, totally the same.

As the beach comes into view, I see a crowd of teenagers walking jaywalking across the street.. yeah that's smart, so what if it does it? At least I know CPR and those ragamuffins probably don't. My phone dings in my pocket, well I am almost there and maybe I can blame seagulls for me being a minute or two late... it's better than nothing, besides I have a notification to check. I am never one to say I am glued to my phone, am I? Yes sometimes, but it works as a distraction tactic from anxiety. Peering down at my phone, it's a text from my dad.

(Text Convo:)

"Hey, are you almost at work? My dad's name on my phone is the pain of my existence.

"Yes, Why? if you lose your glasses again they are on your head. Te he he. " I replied.

"Funny, Riles." He quickly replied back.

I respond with the halo emoji, and say "so what do you need."

"How are you going to communicate with people at work?" He asks...he is off his rocker or something. He worked there before he knew we used our radios...

"I left my radio at home didn't I?" I asked, closing my eyes in annoyance ..

"Ding ding, we have a winner!" He replies back.

"Sarcasm not appreciated" I text back.

"So, do you want me to drop off your radio, or are you good?" He asks.

(End of text convo)

Do I want my radio? I could just borrow or snag someone else's... I begin typing back, but before my fingers graze the screen, there is a loud crash behind me and a lot of terrified and panicked screaming.

Turning around, I take a step back in shock. A car has driven off the road and is lodged halfway through the window of the cafe. I jump into lifesaver mode and rush over to help and survey the scene. Everyone is screaming and crying out of shock. I quickly unzip my jacket and throw it off, revealing my lifeguarding blue shirt, just so everyone knows I am not just a random teenager.

There are a couple teenagers standing back from the wreckage, shocked with wide eyes. I recognize them as jaywalkers, but there were six of them, now there are only four... oh no! The cafe was filled with smoke from the car, and the tables that were sitting in front of the mirror were completely crushed.

"Hey, everyone get out of the cafe! If you can walk, get out quickly, try to be calm, and stay low to the ground." As everyone exits, I ask a waitress how many people are still in there. She answers that there were three people eating, and two people walking in front of the cafe window.

I take the neckline of my shirt and pull it up, looking around at the group of bystanders that have gathered to look. I yell "someone go to the lifeguard tower and alert them. Hurry!"