JORDAN JOINS THE BLUE
Jordan Gallo is my childhood friend from Australia. He joined me at the boarding school overseas and our bond grew stronger. We train together every day for marathons and triathlons. He is just as weird and quirky as I am, and we get along swell.
I have always known that once he turned 18, he would try out for becoming a lifeguard at Waverley council. That just so happens to be where my father is a head lifeguard. No way Hoppo is going to give him an easy way in. On the other hand, he might just make it more difficult. Which is exactly why neither one of us told him anything until after the try out or rather at the try outs.
My father and a few other lifeguards were supervising the people trying to get through the swim. I just hung around as I sometimes did. I found training days for the lifeguards fascinating. My father or one of the boys had occasionally throw me into the training. I loved it, but always made space for those who actually needed to participate. Me hanging around at the try outs were not that unusual. My father greeted me like always with a hug and "how you doing".
His face expression when he noticed Jordan standing in his speedos was priceless! Slightly speechless, he recovered quickly, and the day went on. Jordan made it as trainee for the year. Dad invited him over for dinner that night and talked to him about the job. He gave him an insight on how to do everything from bandaging minor cuts to controlling massive crowds. Jordan was so intrigued that he missed his mouth with the fork a few times.
Skip forward two years and he was allowed to stay as one of the lifeguards and not just a trainee. My father is proud of him for doing his best and for always lending a hand when needed. Their relationship grew stronger both as coworkers and friends. They handled him hanging around the house and them working together very well. He occasionally got in trouble, but nothing major. My father also gave him the "you protect my daughter no matter what or you'll be fired" talk a few times, but it was never more than a joke. They both knew that. Jordan always has my back. "Always have and always will" as he continues to tell me.