Expecting to Die

Just in case.
His trip back around the rock seemed to take forever. Every movement felt
sluggish, every stroke felt as if he were losing ground. He was hurt, he realized.
A concussion, possibly. Well, hell. He’d had a few in his time. Football . . .
Maybe he shoulda stayed away from that game . . .
She was lying on her side, still out of reach of the waves. He ran toward her, at
least he thought he did. More like lurching, he dimly realized.
“Wake up, Jules,” he ordered sternly, seeing her eyes were again closed.
He leaned down to her, alarmed. She was breathing raggedly. A sneaker wave
suddenly jumped up the beach and grabbed at her. He held onto her with his
waning strength until it reluctantly receded. The water felt arctic cold.
She’ll die of hypothermia . . .
He lay down atop her, warming her, making sure his weight didn’t interfere
with her breathing. He had to find Joe . . . had to . . . But Julia beneath him . . . ?
All he could think about was her dove gray eyes, the ironic smile, the feel of
silky skin . . .
Just like old times, he thought.
In a strange twilight consciousness, he remembered making love to her. Being
in love with her. Thinking of making a life with her, before everything happened.
He’d been an asshole, he knew. But she’d proved her faithlessness in the end,
just like he’d feared. She’d married Joe, for God’s sake, and then—
Joe.
Where was Joe?
He awoke as if startled, coming to full consciousness. God, where was the
ambulance? The EMTs? He was shaking violently. Another wave raced up the
beach climbing up his pant legs.
The woman beneath him stirred. Opened her eyes. He looked down into dull
gray depths which stared back at him blankly. Then her eyes widened and she

---

screamed with fear, though she could barely muster more than a whimper.
“Julia . . . Julia . . .” Sam said helplessly.
“What . . . what happened . . . ?” she choked out.
“I’ve called 911. They’re coming.”
“Oh . . . oh . . .”
Sam struggled to keep his wits about him. “Julia, where’s Joe?”
“Joe . . . ?”
“Yes, Joe. My brother. Your husband,” he struggled. He was filled with
nebulous alarm. “Where is he?”
“You’re dead,” she said, her eyes rolling back in her head.