Phobias are serious matters and I am not making light of anyone with fears, especially phobias. This is just for the purpose of this story.
Thanks to furthershewrote for the idea she unknowingly gave me.
Jessica sat stewing onboard Caleb's fishing boat. She was soaked through and through and looked a mess. She didn't have anything with her other than a lipstick that was in her pocket. Her blue jeans, shirt, and sweater were a sight. Her shoes squished when she walked. She smelled of the ocean and of fish, rotting fish. Caleb gave her an old blanket that was obviously used to transport fish because the smell was overpowering. She supposed she should be grateful it was summer and not later in the year.
She and Seth had gone out early to fish. It was going to be a fat day and they wanted to beat the tourists that swarmed the docks during summer mornings. She had a nice sized fish on her line when Seth shouted he had one as well. They had been standing next to each other but now they were moving in opposite directions as they struggled to pull the fish in. Seth crossed behind her twice before she was able to reel her line in. Usually they moved as if choreographed, one always knowing where the other was and dancing around each other.
Just as she leaned forward to pull her fish in, he pushed against her and she fell overboard into the water! It was so cold! Despite the season, the ocean didn't warm up that much. Seth immediately started shouting for Caleb and tossed a preserver out to Jessica. Caleb jumped in and helped her climb aboard. She waited until Caleb brought her the blanket before removing her sweater. She had on a white blouse underneath her sweater and she didn't know if the water made it transparent or not. No point in giving the men a show. Of course, her wet blouse was see through when wet, so she had to keep the smelly blanket close.
Now she was brooding over the fact that Seth pushed her in and then he didn't even try to help her out. He must know she's upset because he stayed in the bow of the ship while she stayed port side. He didn't even apologize. She focused on her anger because she didn't want to admit to feeling hurt.
Seth was ashamed. He didn't mean to push Jessica overboard but it happened and he didn't do anything to help. Oh, he called for Caleb but that was it. He didn't even toss the preserver anywhere near her. Although there were no signs of shark activity, what if she had been in peril? Was he going to stand there and watch? Caleb headed the boat to the working side of the dock where few people were. The fishing vessels hadn't returned yet so there wasn't much activity. Seth left the boat to get his car and he parked right next to the small pier and Jessica got inside with little fuss.
"I'm sorry, Jess," he said, full of morose.
Jessica gave him a speaking glance and he drove to her house quickly. She was out of the car and walking inside before he could open his door. He sat there debating whether or not he should go inside but figured she was going to shower first and he wasn't needed.
By the time Jessica had dried her hair and dressed in fresh clothes, her anger had dissipated and she went downstairs. Her morning of fishing was over and it wasn't even ten o'clock so she started researching for her next novel. An hour later she was giving it up as a lost cause as she thought about Seth. She wasn't hurting. She was disappointed in him. He was always a true gentleman to her. She felt a headache coming on and took something to head it off.
Seth was feeling sheepish but he walked up Jessica's walkway just before lunch time. She generally didn't stay angry long so maybe he could take her to the diner for a meal. She invited him inside but declined his invitation. She invited him to share the tuna sandwiches she made and he happily accepted.
"I am sorry I pushed you into the water, Jess. I was trying to maneuver around you."
"I know it was an accident. Remind me to give you the blanket to pass on to Caleb. I washed it twice but it still has a fishy odor." She wrinkled her nose.
"Seth," she paused for a minute. "I found it odd that you didn't help me out sooner. The water was very cold but you passed it off to Caleb…" She looked at him questionably.
"I'm sorry about that, Jess."
"But why?" She asked. She knew he could swim because she saw a picture of him in the water when he was a teenager.
"I'd rather not talk about it," he answered. "I'd better go. Dinner tomorrow?"
"Sure," she replied. She wondered about what he didn't tell her.
He left and she went to lie down. She didn't want to say anything while Seth was there but she was starting to feel ill. Her head was pounding and her eyes hurt. She fell into a restless sleep.
By dinnertime she was feeling decidedly worse. Her headache grew worse and she was sneezing a lot. Taking some medication, she tried to go back to sleep. She was feeling hot and thought she might have a fever but was too tired to find her thermometer. Around midnight, and it was always late at night when it happened, she was worried about being ill in the house alone. What if she had a seizure or a heart attack and no one was around to get her medical help?
The phone woke Seth up. He was used to late night calls and automatically glanced at his bedside clock. 12:21 AM.
"Seth," croaked Jessica. Her sore throat was now inflamed and it was difficult speaking loudly enough to be heard. "I don't feel good."
Seth immediately got out of bed when he heard Jessica's voice. She rarely voluntarily phoned him about medical matters. "Tell me what's wrong, Jess."
She listed her symptoms and he told her he would be right over. He hurriedly dressed while trying not to feel guilty.
He let himself in and went upstairs to her room. She looked miserable. He listened to her heart, checked her lungs, had her cough, inhale, and exhale.
"You're already doing all the right things, Jess. Liquids, rest, and you'll be better in a few days." He looked alarmed at her teary eyes. He urged her under the covers. "I want you to keep warm."
She curled into a ball and finally fell asleep. Seth sat watching her for a bit. She looked miserable. Her nose was red, her cough wasn't too bad but it was frequent enough to disturb her sleep. He felt it was all his fault.
Morning came and he prepared tea for her. He spent the night sitting in a chair at her bedside. He had to do rounds at the hospital but he wanted to make sure she was okay before he left. At the hospital everyone was asking after Jessica. Caleb had mentioned that Seth pushed her in the water when he was at the diner yesterday. He had to put up with a lot of teasing. "If you wanted to get rid of her, you can't have witnesses Doc! Haven't you read any of Jessica's books?" or "I just divorced my wife when I didn't want her anymore. I guess you can't divorce Jessica." He only hoped people weren't calling her with that nonsense.
He popped over at lunch time but she was sleeping. She didn't have a fever at least. He put ingredients for soup in her crock pot for dinner and left the house.
Jessica was dressed in her pajamas and robe when Seth returned that evening. She was downstairs which was good but she didn't look happy. "You were joking about me at the hospital?" She looked hurt.
"No, Jess. People were teasing me but I wasn't responding." Seth assured her. "There wasn't anything funny about yesterday." He didn't know if she was mollified or not but she didn't say anything else. She ate a little soup and took her medicine.
"Are you afraid of the water, Seth?" she asked. "I've been thinking and I don't think I've ever seen you swimming except pictures of when you were young."
Seth sighed. He should have realized she wasn't going to let that slide. He looked at her and she was waiting patiently.
"I think I need to know if being on a boat with you is going to be hazardous to my health." She smiled to show she wasn't serious. "You don't have to tell me."
"During the war, D-Day to be exact, we parachuted into the water. I was so scared. I had to fight internally against my fear of dying while falling. Even in the water, the fear was there. Fighting to get on the beach, so many people died. Now I just can't get in the water. I've tried. It's why I go out on the boat all the time. Trying to get over the fear but even with a life jacket on, I can't seem to get in the water." He hung his head. He never wanted her to think he was a coward, even if he had good reason.
"Thanks for telling me," she replied. "I'm sorry you had to go through it and that's without knowing all the horrors." She patted his hand.
Weeks later they were out on Caleb's boat, fishing. It was late August and the water would never be warmer than it was now. Jessica had carried two packages on board and now she gave him one. She went down below and a few minutes later, she returned wearing a wetsuit.
"Put yours on, Seth." She nudged him toward the stairs leading down. He was staring at the box but he went down below.
She smiled gently at him when he returned.
"Jess, I don't think I can do this."
"I believe you can, Seth." She gave him a hug. "I discussed this with several experts and they assured me you'll only have to go into the water once and while you may never love water again, you'll find it easier."
"Really?" he asked skeptically. "And how are you going to get me in the water?"
She went over to him and gave him another hug. "Let's do it together." Taking him by the hand she led him to the ladder. "We are not jumping in. We'll climb down and once in the water, you can do whatever makes you comfortable."
He looked down at the water.
"Seth, you aren't afraid of ladders." She climbed over the side of the boat and started down. She looked up to see if Seth was following her. He was on the top rung but at least he was over the side.
She got into the water and Seth was on the last rung but simply couldn't go further. "Seth, I believe in you." She smiled encouragingly at him. "I have the biggest kiss waiting for you when you get here."
His eyes widened. "How big?" He asked suspiciously.
"As big as you'd like," she answered.
Seth had one foot in the water and was trying to ease down when he heard Jessica speaking again.
"Just for you, Seth. I have on a new bathing suit underneath my wetsuit but I don't want to show Caleb so you'll have to come here to see it." She winked at him.
Seth swallowed hard. "A bikini?"
"You'll have to find out for yourself," she smiled engagingly.
"Are you flirting with me, woman?" he demanded.
"Come find out," she suggested.
Seth dropped his other foot and slowly swam over to her. It wasn't awful. He treaded water for a few minutes remembering how it felt. Jessica swam around him and had her hand on his shoulder.
"I'm so proud of you, Seth," she said with feeling. She kissed his lips. A warmth spread through him and he smiled bleakly. "Take your time."
Caleb had been standing by just in case he was needed. He had been warned she might need help if Seth panicked. Jessica raised her hand, signaling she wanted the life jackets and he tossed them down to her. She helped Seth into his before putting on her own. Now they could float effortlessly without getting tired. They stayed in the water for half an hour before climbing aboard again.
"Thank you, Jess," he said. Tears were rolling down his cheeks which were barely noticeable. "The memories…" He went and sat down.
Caleb sensing he wasn't needed left them alone and went to the engine room and started the drive back to the docks.
Seth took a deep breath. He may never love being in the water again but it felt cleansing to overcome the fear. He hoped it would be easier the next time but knowing he did it was enough for now.
"We better head down and get out of these wetsuits, Jess." He spoke softly so he wasn't overheard. "I plan to get my kiss once I see your bikini."
Jessica laughed lightly. "I already kissed you."
"You call that a big kiss?" scoffed Seth. "Come on, woman!" They went down below.
Caleb heard the laughter from below interspersed with periods of silence. He was the only witness to the kiss Jessica gave the Doc but he would keep it secret. He knew which side of his bread was buttered. He took another wide circle around the bay. He would stay offshore until they returned on deck.