There was one night about a week and a half into camp that I'll never forget. Gordie and I had been becoming very close friends. I told him about the Goonies and he told me about his friends. We spent all our spare time together.
That morning, we had this camp wide scavenger hunt. Gordie and I won in our age group. Later, the older kids were going to have a big bonfire. We were having a lot of fun telling stories and signing songs. About fifteen minutes before we all had to head in for the night, Gordie and I snuck off to go throw rocks in the lake.
"Can you skid rocks across the water?" I asked Gordie when we got there.
"No," he shook his head. I expertly skipped a rock. "Whoa, let me try," he said. He chucked a rock and it landed with a loud plunk in the water.
I giggled. Gordie walked along the edge of the dock, his hands held out to balance himself. I threw a rock in his general direction.
"Don't fall in you goof ball," I called.
"I wouldn't," he assured me, "But you'd save me if I did, right? Champion swimmer Randi?"
"I am not a Barbie doll," I laughed.
"Right, you're an action figure," he said teetering closer to the edge, and striking a fighter pose, "A G.I. Joe."
"Well," I said, "No way I'd help your scrawny ass."
Gordie turned to try and look at his backside. "Scrawny, you think so?"
I laughed. "You've had your fun. Now will you please get off the freaking dock?"
"Okay, I'm com-" Gordie slipped on one of the planks and fell in the lake, abruptly ending his sentence.
"Argghhh, I told you!" I cried, leaping up. "Gordie...It's not funny." I paused, looking at the water. He was teasing me, I knew he could swim. "Gordie!" I yelled louder. "It's not funny!" I screamed.
I saw his hand fly up from the dark water like a signal flag.
"Shit," I yelled, and dove in after him. I swam to where he was, and tried to pull him up to the surface. Something was holding him back. I opened my eyes under the water, and though it was dark, I could see that Gordie's foot was caught on a rock. I ran my hand down his leg and pulled his foot free from the rock. I grabbed him by the middle and swam to the shore. I dragged him out of the water, and pulled him to the bank. He was passed out. At this time, I didn't really have a grasp on CPR. I breathed into Gordie's mouth and pushed on his chest, like I had seen in the movies.
"Come on Gordie," I whispered, tears in my eyes. All that ran through my mind was that I couldn't let the Lachance family lose another son. "Come on, breathe," I blew in his mouth and pushed on his chest again. He jolted up, and started coughing and sputtering.
"Oh Gordie, thank God!" I sobbed, and I threw my arms around him. "I thought I lost you," I cried, tears streaming. I kissed his cheek and buried my face in his neck. I felt like I was still struggling for him, like I still couldn't let go.
"I'm okay," he said, holding on to me just as tight as I was holding on to him. "I think I sprained my ankle."
"Serves you right," I pulled back, wiping my eyes, "I told you to get off the damn dock."
He stared at me with those damned doe eyes again. I melted.
"Oh, I'm just glad you're okay," I mumbled, and hugged him again. I could feel the heat of his breath against my neck as he whispered, "Thanks Randi, I owe you my life."
I pulled back and managed to smile. "Let's try and get you to the Nurse's office for that ankle."
He leaned on me and I hobbled him towards the Nurse's office.
****************************************
"Hey Lorraine!" an older waitress called, "It's closing time..."
"Yeah, I know," Lorraine grinned, "We don't have to go home, but we can't stay here."
"Oh crap!" Randi glanced at the clock. She put her head on the table. "It's late and I don't think my parents know where I am."
"They're gonna tan your hide aren't they?" Lorraine asked with a small smile.
"No," Randi frowned, "More of the 'We're so disappointed in you' thing. My dad's an English teacher. He doesn't really tan hides."
Lorraine laughed. "That can actually be worse. Need a ride?" she dangled her keys.
"Thanks," Randi shot her a grateful look.
"So," Lorraine said once they got in the car, "I get to hear the rest of the story tomorrow right?'
"Sure," Randi said.
"I won't be able to stand the excitement," Lorraine laughed.
"I'm sure you'll be up all night, pacing around, biting your fingernails," Randi joked.
Lorraine laughed. "You're a very cool person Randi. It was very brave of you to save Gordie like that."
Randi looked down humbly. "Thanks, but at the time, no other option crossed my mind."
"Where's your house?"
"Down two streets and hang a left," Randi said. They drove in silence for a moment.
"Are we friends?" Lorraine asked suddenly. It was then that Randi noticed her soft Irish accent. It almost completely passed her by.
"Um, yes?" Randi offered, surprised by Lorraine's question.
"Boss," Lorraine beamed. "I don't really have a lot of friends," she explained, seeing the slightly confused look on Randi's face.
"I don't think I do anymore," Randi murmured.
"I bet your friends still care about you. You're a pessimist, you know that?"
"What do you mean?"
"The glass is half-empty. You see the more negative sides of things."
Randi shook her head, "I'm not always like this. Usually, I'm a lot happier and a lot more fun."
"More fun then this?" Lorraine gasped in mock surprise, "No way!" Her infectious laughter filled the car as it slowed to a stop in front of Randi's house. "So, I'll see you tomorrow. Same time, same place?"
"Yup. Thanks for the ride," Randi said, getting out of the car. Lorraine waited to make sure that she was safely inside before driving off.