Tides

Chapter 42 - Congratulations

SKYE

Sitting on the sand, we watch as Kay finishes the second ride of his set. He makes an impressive turn against the wave and slows down as the wave dies. He paddles towards the shore instead of the start-up line for the third ride. My brother and I stand up to see better. Kay lifts a fist in the air.

"Kay needs help," Jax shouts to the organizer.

The emergency response team on an inflatable boat comes closer to Kay and talk to him while he sits on his board. I can't see what is happening.

Our whole team joins me and Dax. Valentina stands next to me and her hand plays nervously with her necklace. The emergency team brings Kay to the shore and we all come closer. Two paramedics support him as he limps.

"My ankle is busted. I felt something snap in the last turn," Kay sits on the sand.

His ankle gets more swollen by the minute. A guy from the first aid team runs to us with a large bag of ice and a first aid case. The doctor on site checks on Kay's ankle and determines he suffered an unfortunate twist. He can't go in the water again.

"Dylan, you are up," Jax says. "Colin, get his board."

Dylan walks away to check in while Colin fetches his board.

"Where is Dylan going?" I hear Mrs. Harris say to Ross.

"He will take Kay's place in the competition," he looks at Dylan with pride.

"Can he do what they all did?" she says with a surprised face while Ross nods.

Mrs. Harris probably doesn't know how talented her son is. She will be in for a treat.

Kay gets the ice bag strapped to his ankle. Dax and I help him to stand up and bring him to where Mom and River sit at the beach. Dad brings a chair for him, and Valentina and Kay's mom fuss over him. He is in pain, but enjoys every second of the extra attention. My best friend did a fantastic job in the water, but unfortunately this sport comes also with risks.

Joan stands by my side and places her arm around my waist. She doesn't give a damn I'm wet and dirty with sand. I love her for it.

"Come on Dylan, show us what you've got," she whispers.

Amber looks at everything with curious eyes. Ross' lips move while he points at the water. He must be telling her what is going on. Dylan gets in the water and paddles. He ducks under the upcoming waves and reaches the start-up line quickly.

He sits on his board and waits patiently for a good wave. The wind is ideal and steady today. After a tall wave goes under him, he paddles and stands up while on the crest. He makes a wide roundhouse that brings him to the breaking part of the wave. He re-enters and carves S-shaped patterns along the wall. Gathering speed, he does a backside floater.

I see the board fins in the air, and my heart skips a beat for a moment. He goes down with grace, keeps sliding and making turns. I heard Kay say one time that Dylan makes things look effortless, and it's exactly what he is doing. His maneuvers are well thought and flow nicely into each other.

I look again to where Amber stands. She grins while looking at her son, but her clothes look odd in this environment. Dylan finishes with a snap back and paddles back to shore.

"That was boss Dylan!" Jax pats his back.

Dylan pants slightly and smiles. Ross runs to him and almost tumbles him down with a hug.

"You did so well, babe. I'm so proud of you," Ross cups Dylan's face and kisses him.

We are in celebration mood even though we don't know our scores or the standing. The last surfer from the Reef Road team makes his last ride, but none of us pays attention to it. Amber walks towards Dylan until she is right in front of him. I nudge to Joan, and she directs her attention to them.