My Boy Blue

Welcome to Bondi

At this time in the morning, it was almost silent. The sun was barely over the horizon and the light orange that was slowly sweeping through Sydney was gently illuminating the few early morning risers that dotted the suburbs of Sydney.

Katie Ryan reveled in this early morning quiet. Every morning she did the same run to the beach followed by a quick swim in the surf. It was this time of day that she absolutely treasured. The only sound was her quiet steps on the pavement and the occasional seagull that decided he too wanted to be up early that day. Never breaking stride, she checked her watch. A little behind today, but that was to be expected. It was her first day of the season at Bondi and making sure her bag was set with her bikini and gear rather than her paramedic uniform was always a novelty. She looked forward to this day every year. She enjoyed her work as a paramedic, she really did, but there was just something about Bondi.

A white truck cruised passed her beeping once. She waved to the driver and made her final turn onto the beach. It seemed she wasn't the only one this morning who wanted to be a little bit early.

Katie took a moment, standing on the beach, to enjoy the gentle surf. Today it was certainly calm. There have been mornings where the surf is absolutely massive, but today, it was almost placid. She kicked off her shoes before stepping into the water. Past the breaking waves, surfers dotted the horizon, al waiting for a good wave to bring them in. She had to give them credit for their optimism. The waves were simply not delivering today. She had better enjoy the quiet while it lasted.

Chappo stretched his arms over his head. It was getting close to Christmas and the beach had started to pick up each day. The calm surf and the warm weather predicted were sure to bring in a good crowd. He surveyed the waves, nothing to worry about now. Most of the beachgoers didn't start to arrive until about nine at the earliest, and lifeguards started their day at seven.

A lone swimmer came out of the water, wringing her hair out as she walked up the beach. It didn't take Chappo long to recognize exactly who it was. Katie waved to Reidy and Harries as they planted the flags. He could almost feel her smile from here. She jogged up the beach excited to see Chappo on the tower.

"Hey, Chappo!" She called.

"Hey darling," Chappo said waving, "glad to have you back on the beach!'

Katie chuckled running up the stairs. Her light brown hair was soaked from her early morning run a combination of sweat, salt, and sand that she really couldn't wait to wash out before her day started. Chappo, however, didn't notice, it was her eyes that always stood out to him. Running every morning, and living in Australia, Katie sported an almost year-round tan that seemed to make her piercing blue eyes stand out even more than they might have otherwise. He knew when most people met Katie, they were instantly warmed by her almost constant smile, but Chappo knew that behind that, she was still hurting. It had been a long road for her, he knew that most of all, but each morning he saw her, it seemed she was just a little lighter, a little more cheer in her eyes.

"I'm sure you are," she said coming to lean on the railing next to him, " your days of endless bluebottles are over! I shall be taking over the bandaid service, although I'm sure you gentlemen have been doing a lovely job."

Chappo chuckled.

"You're a godsend, Katie. I hope you're ready for a busy season though. It's already been a doozy."

Katie shook out her hair again, trying to detangle it a little before she got to the showers.

"Oh, I'm sure."

Bondi was known for it's weird and wacky customers. She could only imagine how the boys were managing the huge crowds and all the other distractions that plagued them.