Maya grabbed her around the waist and kicked hard for the surface. They broke through into air and sunshine. Maya gasped and coughed. Sarah was heavy and didn’t move or breathe. From the shore, people were running into the water. “Help!” Maya called, her voice weak from lack of air. Help us. The big bearded man reached them first, splashing through the water like a bear.
His face was twisted with fear. He snatched Sarah from Maya’s arms as if she weighed nothing. “Sarah, baby, wake up!” he roared, carrying her to shore. Other hands grabbed Maya, pulling her along. Her legs felt like jelly. Her chest hurt from holding her breath so long. As they reached the beach, she saw the bearded man lay Sarah on the sand.
Sarah’s skin was blue gray, her body limp. How long was she under? Someone asked. I don’t know, another voice said. 5 minutes more. Maya knew it had been longer. Much longer. The big man started pushing on Sarah’s chest. Then he breathed into her mouth. Push, push, push, breathe. Over and over. Around them, people gathered in a circle.
Some prayed. Some cried. Maya stood on wobbly legs dripping lake water, feeling very small among these tough-l lookinging people. She thought of her backpack under the pier. Maybe she could slip away now while everyone was focused on Sarah, but her legs wouldn’t move. She had to know if Sarah would be okay. The big man named Dave kept pushing on Sarah’s chest. Push, push, push.
Then he’d breathe into her mouth. He’d been doing this for 3 minutes now. Tears ran down his rough face into his gray beard. His huge hands looked strange, being so gentle on Sarah’s still body. “Come on, baby. Don’t leave me,” he kept saying between breaths. Maya stood back, shivering in her wet clothes.
