Bondi Rescue

Shortest Job Hunt Ever

I decided that I would sit and wait with Christine until her dad came to get her. The only problem, my clothes were thoroughly wet, and I didn't have anything to change into. As we made our way up to the lifeguard tower, I remembered to grab my bag, which had my shoes, wallet, and phone.

As we walked into the tower, the head lifeguard, who told us to call him Hoppo, grabbed us some towels to dry off with. The other two lifeguards also introduced themselves. Jesse was the one who got to us first, and Harrison was the one who brought me in. There were two other lifeguards in the tower, who I learned were named Deano and Kerrbox.

After Christine and I were relatively dry, we sat down on one of the chairs to wait for her dad. Kerrbox offered to let Christine look through one of the pairs of binoculars, and she eagerly clambered off of my lap and into his.

"That was really brave, what you did out there, going in to rescue her," I turned at the sound of Harrison's voice, and I smiled softly. "I couldn't just let her drown, and I couldn't tell if anyone else had noticed, so I went in, even without a board." He suddenly looked at me with interest.

"Whoa hold on, you're a lifeguard?!?" Harrison exclaimed, and I could hear Jesse and Deano's conversation stop as they came over to listen.

I laughed a little bit. "Yeah, I'm a lifeguard, have been for about 5 years. I used to live in Hawaii, and I just recently moved here," I said, and Jesse started to laugh. "I was surprised at how calm you'd seemed, and now it makes sense!" That got us all laughing.

"How long have you lived here?" Asked Kerrbox, who was still busy playing with Christine. I couldn't contain myself, and I let out a snicker. "What's so funny?"

I calmed my giggles and told them. "Well, I just landed yesterday actually, I'm staying in a hotel since I haven't even found an apartment. I was planning to start looking today actually!" That got all the boys roaring with laughter, and Hoppo, who I hadn't realized was still here, joined in with us.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and Deano, who was closest to it, answered. A voice could be heard, "I'm here to pick up my daughter, Christine?" and Christine went flying off of Kerrbox's lap to the door, shouting "DADDY, DADDY!" 

We all turned to look as a distinguished-looking older gentleman picked Christine up and spun her around. Still holding his daughter, Mr. Addams walked over to me. "I think it is safe to assume that you are the young lady who rescued my daughter?" 

I stood up and shook his proffered hand. "Yes, that would be me, my name is Emilie," I said with a smile on my face, witnessing the absolute love Christine and her dad had for each other. 

"What can I ever do to repay you for what you've done?" He asked, and I immediately shook my head. "Mr. Addams, I didn't save your daughter for repayment, I saw a little girl in trouble, and I did everything in my power to help her." 

Christine's father laughed, a great big booming laugh. "Considering you've saved my daughter's life, I think you've earned the right to call me David. Our world needs more people like you in it." He handed me a business card with his name and phone number. "If you ever need anything, please, feel free to call me, I'm in your debt."

I smiled, waving goodbye as Christine and her father left the tower. I heard a throat clear next to me, and I turned to look at Harrison. "I know you are probably fine, but I need to check, did you swallow any water out there, do you feel ok?" 

"Yes, thank you, I feel fine. I didn't swallow any water, so there are no worries about secondary drowning," I said, as Harrison grinned at me. "Good, I figured since you are a lifeguard that I didn't need to worry about it, but I figured I should probably check."

Hoppo cleared his throat from behind us, and everyone turned to look at him. "Alright guys, I need Jesse and Harrison to head back down to North Bondi, and Deano to keep watching the water. Kerrbox, Emilie, can you guys come with me for a second please?" The boys nodded and said bye before they headed out to go back to patrolling. Kerrbox and I got up and followed Hoppo. 

We all left the tower and walked across the road to what I assumed was Hoppo's office. As he sat down behind his desk, he gestured for me to take a seat. "So, Emilie, was I correct in hearing you've just moved here from Hawaii, where you used to lifeguard?"

I nodded, not sure where this was going. "Yes sir, I worked at Ka'anpali Beach as a lifeguard. I went to school in Hawaii for EMT services and marine biology."

Kerrbox laughed a bit at that. "Well, I guess we know you like helping people, and you like the water!" I blushed slightly and looked down, "Yeah, I guess you could say that."

"Have you started looking for a job yet, Emilie?" I looked back up at Hoppo and nodded slowly. "Well, in that case, I would like to offer you a job. You would need to do some training to make sure that you are up to our standards here, but I really think you could be an asset to this team."

I stared at him in shock. That was not at all what I had expected to come out of Hoppo's mouth. I realized I'd have to tell him about what had caused me to move. 

"Sir, before you offer me a job, I just need to make you aware, that was the first rescue I'd done in nearly half a year. The last rescue I participated in before that was when my old boss died. I've been keeping up with training and such, but I am a bit out of practice."

Hoppo nodded thoughtfully, a solemn look on his face. "Thank you for bringing that to my attention Emilie, I really appreciate it. I still would like to offer you the job, and we can slowly work up to getting you back doing water rescues until you feel more comfortable." 

I sighed in relief; I had been worried that once my past came to light, they would no longer want to offer me a job. "I can give you the number of the new boss back home if you would like to talk to him before finalizing everything," I offered, still a bit disbelieving about what had just happened. 

"Thank you very much, I can give you a call back once I am ready for you to sign the paperwork and such," Hoppo said as I wrote out mine and Kael's number, as he had taken up the mantel when Hau died. I handed him the piece of paper, shook his hand and left the office. 

I was in complete shock, that was not at all how I was expecting my day to go. One thing is for sure though, that had to be the shortest job hunt ever! 

Oh my gosh!!!! 125 reads?!?!? You guys are amazing!!!!! Here is the next chapter, and we finally get to find out the names of the two lifeguards who saved Emilie and Christine are!! I know it's a bit earlier in the day, but I just couldn't wait till tonight to post it! I am having so much fun writing this story, and I hope you guys enjoy this chapter! If you guys have any requests or ideas, I will gladly take them! Please remember to comment and vote!

~_mindless_ramblings_