He took a turn. The water made a statement.
A Turn Worth Watching
Marco leaned into a turn, sending a broad curve of water behind his jet ski. From the shore, Nina clapped. Ben took one careful step back from the spray, and Clara watched the disappearing wake.
“Does he always go that quickly?” she asked Lena, the instructor.
“He’s giving a demonstration,” Lena said.
“Ah. I thought perhaps he was late.”
When Marco returned, three people were waiting to try. He took off his helmet, ready for questions about the turn.
Nina pointed at the jet ski. “Where’s the brake pedal?”
Marco looked down. “You’ve found our first difference.”
Where Is the Brake Pedal?
“I drive a car,” Nina explained, “but I’ve never ridden a motorbike.”
Lena showed her the controls and explained how they differed from those in a car. Nina listened closely, then looked over her shoulder.
“And the mirrors?”
“There aren’t any,” Lena said.
“Good to know before I spend ten minutes adjusting them.”
After the briefing, Nina chose to try with Lena accompanying her under the event’s arrangements. They returned a little later, and Nina stepped onto the shore grinning.
“I reached for a mirror that wasn’t there,” she told Marco. “Twice.”
“Did you find it?”
“No. But I had a lovely view while I was looking.”
A Word with the Water
Ben was next. His life jacket was fastened, but he kept a hand on its strap while he watched the water.
“Would you still like to try?” Lena asked.
“I think so.” He paused. “I should tell you: I’m afraid of water. I wanted to see what this was like, but now that I’m here…”
“That’s all right,” she said. “We can talk through the choices, and you can stop whenever you want.”
Marco stood beside them. “There’s no prize for going farther than you want to.”
Ben considered the jet ski. With Lena beside him, he chose to sit on it while it remained at the designated starting area. He held the handlebars and took a slow breath.
After a moment he looked up. “I think that’s enough for today.”
Lena helped him back onto the shore. Nina made room for him beside her.
“How was it?” Marco asked.
“The seat was excellent,” Ben said. “The water and I are still discussing our arrangements.”
No Need to Hurry
Clara stepped forward. “I’d like to try, but I’ve never enjoyed going fast. Is speed compulsory?”
“Not for your introduction,” Lena said. She explained the available session, and Clara chose to go with her at a pace she was comfortable with, following the event’s guidance.
When they returned, Marco asked, “Did you see the view?”
“Very clearly,” Clara said. “It had plenty of time to introduce itself.”
The four of them stood together while the water settled. Nina described reaching for her imaginary mirror; Ben asked Clara whether she had found a comfortable seat too. She assured him it had been very accommodating.
Marco pointed towards the place where his wake had curved across the water. The lines had vanished.
“Does anyone remember my turn?”
“I do,” Nina said.
“I remember the spray,” Ben added.
Clara looked out across the calm surface. “I remember it very well. I’m still waiting for it to slow down.”
Lena brought over the next group’s names. Marco glanced at the list.
“Are their questions on the back?” he asked.
Livora Gracely ♥
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