Page 34 of Places We've Never Been

CHAPTER 8

Zion National Park in southern Utah felt just as hot as Death Valley had. But it was gorgeous. Where Death Valley had seemed mostly flat and dry, Zion’s rocks rose like skyscrapers striped red and orange.

“Water time!” Ezra shouted, climbing off the bus that had taken us to the entry point along the river. A girl by a trailer was handing out blue and yellow tubes, and we got in line behind another group of tourists to collect ours.

“Is my life jacket tight enough?” Paisley tugged on the straps.

“You’re good,” Skyler said. “Don’t be scared.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “I’m not scared, stupid. The guide said this was like a lazy river. Why would I be scared of that?”

“Stupid? You calling me stupid?” He took her in a headlock and she screamed and smacked his back. He let her go with a laugh.

“You put sunblock on, right?” Mom asked.

“Yes,” I said. “Lots.”

“You too, Ezra?”

“Yes, Mommy,” Ezra said, like he always did when he felt he was being treated like a child.

“Hey,” she said. “When I don’t ask, you get fried. What about you, Austin, Skyler, Paisley?”

I laughed. “She’s your mom, too, now,” I said.

Olivia hadn’t joined us for the tubing. She wanted to do some shopping and said she would meet up with us for lunch after.

“Yes, we did,” Austin said. “Thank you for the concern, Mrs. Simons.”

“See, kids, that’s how you respond to that question.”

“Kiss-up,” Ezra said, punching Austin in the arm.

We got to the front of the line, and Ezra said, “I got your tubes, Mom and Norah.” He looked ridiculous trying to carry three big tubes that he could hardly walk with.

“I can carry my own tube,” I said. “So can Mom.” As I handed it to her, I had the sudden thought that maybe she couldn’t. Did the secret everyone was keeping from me have to do with her health? She wouldn’t be floating down a river if she couldn’t carry her own tube. Right?

She took it without argument, easing my temporary bout of anxiety.

“I was just trying to be nice,” Ezra said. “Am I not allowed to be nice?”

I patted his arm. “My abilities do not detract from yours, Ezra.”

The guide raised his hand in the air for everyone’s attention. “Remember about an hour and half downriver you’ll come to the takeout site. Keep an eye out for our signs. But most importantly, have fun!”

The water was colder than I thought it would be as we stepped in to launch ourselves. But after a few minutes, I became accustomed to it. Right away, I realized that no matter how lazy the guide said the river was, it had a mind of its own. We should’ve linked hands or something because we were quickly becoming separated.

“Ezra, wait up,” I said, paddling on the sides of my tube. This would be a perfect opportunity to talk to him. I reached out for him as I got close. “Ezra!”

He looked back and put his hand up to his ear, pretending not to hear me. “What?”

He was just out of my grasp, so I stretched out my leg. “Grab my foot!”

“My ability to float the river does not detract from your ability to float the river. I believe in you!” He gave me his annoying smile and paddled forward.

“You are such a punk!” I kicked, splashing him.

He laughed and paddled toward a current off to the left that swept him farther ahead.