Page 32 of The Trip

“There they are!” Emma stands, pointing.

Adam turns onto his back and swims toward the boat while Gigi coughs, spurting water before gulping for air. A wave nearly tears her out of Adam’s grasp. He stops swimming to grab hold of her with his other arm. Gigi chokes as a whitecap hits her face.

“Hang on, Gigi,” I call.

“Throw another line out for Gigi in case Adam loses her,” Nojan shouts.

When they get a few feet from the boat, I toss a second rope over the side. Adam snatches the line and helps Gigi loop it around her hand. Nojan moves beside Emma, and together they pull Adam and Gigi closer.

“Come around the stern,” Nojan tells Adam as he guides the rope over the stern platform.

We move to help as Nojan lowers the ladder. Nojan and Emma pull Gigi up first. On her hands and knees on the rear deck, she sputters salt water.

Beth and I help Gigi to her feet while Emma and the captain pull Adam on board.

When I wrap my arm around her wet waist, Gigi’s entire body shivers.

“We need to get you dry,” I say.

“I’ll grab towels.” Emma lets go of Adam’s arm once he’s on deck and untethers her life vest before turning and heading down the companionway. Beth and I slowly lead Gigi toward the lower deck, careful not to let her feet slip.

Emma emerges from her stateroom with two white towels as Beth and I guide Gigi down the companionway steps. Emma wraps one around Gigi’s shoulders while I help her sit down.

“That scared the shit out of me,” Emma says, her eyes on Gigi.

I take a seat beside Gigi and assess her drenched, trembling form. “Do you think you lost consciousness at all out there?”

She shakes her head. “No.”

Her large eyes are raccooned with mascara, and her quivering lips have taken on a blueish hue.

Nojan’s voice drifts down from the cockpit. “An accidental jibe is one of the most dangerous things that can happen on a sailboat, especially if the boom preventer wasn’t installed properly. You were supposed to check it before we departed.”

“I’m sorry, it won’t happen again,” Adam says.

“Hell, she could’ve died!”

We all turn toward the sound of the captain’s shout.

“Go get changed,” Nojan says, the calm returning to his voice. “After I make sure Gigi is okay, I want to go over some things with you.”

Our gazes are already fixed on the companionway when Adam comes below, dripping wet, followed by the captain.

“Are you all right?” Adam asks Gigi after taking the towel Emma extends to him.

“I am now. Thank you.” Her lips shiver. “For saving me.”

The captain shoots Adam a sharp look.

“Don’t thank me,” Adam says, dropping his gaze to the floor as he rubs the towel against the back of his head. “That was my fault that we jibed. And I should’ve made sure you had a tether on.”

I place my palm against Gigi’s shivering back as Adam gives Gigi a remorseful glance, then disappears inside his stateroom.

The captain holds an uninflated life vest in his hands. He folds his arms, his face grim when Beth sits next to Gigi.

“You could’ve drowned,” Nojan says.

“I’m fine.” Gigi’s voice trembles. She lifts her gaze to the captain’s. “Really.”