Sunset Cove. Rookie School

Chapter 1 Making Friends That Last

It was a warm day sitting by the beach thinking about Summer, her Summer, swimming around in her head. Not one person understood her need to go so far away for the summer. Not her friends, not her family, not even her co-workers.

This was Shawna’s opportunity of a lifetime, to spend the summer working doing what she loved, saving people, breaking free from authority, and one hot summer before her life began. Then a thought crossed her mind maybe it was actually her compass leading her to where she was supposed to be. No one else’s to choice to make, hers and only hers. At this point she really could care less about understanding. One thing I think they did understand was she was going no matter what anyone thought.

Shawna had just graduated high school and was trying to find her place in this big old world. Was it her fault that the opportunity she decided to go with was a million miles away from home.

She watched a beautiful sunrise on her morning run. Now she couldn’t help herself from thinking this place is magical. It sent chills right through her all the wqy to the bone. She knew right then, in her heart. This is where she was meant to be. How many people could say that she wondered. In today’s world there are few but far from in between. It still didn’t keep her from being nervous. She was afraid, just like any teenager, of not fitting in.

Now it was time to meet her team. Shawna was popular in high school, #1 on the swim team back home in Battiest Oklahoma. It was definitely a far cry from Florida. Here she was just an ordinary person on the same level as everyone else. Just trying to find her own way in the process.

She opened the door to the building and made her way to the office. There were a lot of twists and turns along the way but she finally found the door printed “Sunset Cove” Lifeguard Station.

“Here goes,” she thought as she turned the knob and swung open the door, a “Here is to a NEW LIFE!”

A woman with long dark hair stood from behind her desk hand extended.

“I am Bridget head lifeguard and you must be Shawna. I have your file right here somewhere.”

She started moving around papers and files on her desk. “I know it’s here somewhere”. Her eyes lifted up and met Shawna’s and they both just started to laugh.

At that moment Shawna felt at ease for the first time since she boarded the plane in Oklahoma and got ready for her long flight. She figured if the boss could laugh at herself and with another person laughing with her. She couldn’t be all bad. This would be what she takes from her first meeting with Bridgett.

“Shawna what do you expect to get out of your trip here this summer?” Bridget asked.

“More responsibility, more challenges, independence, better teamwork, and most importantly how to bunk with girls”, Shawna replied back.

A twinkle sparked in Bridget’s blue eyes, “That last one may be your hardest challenge of all.”

They began to laugh again. It was light and easy. Shawna’s nervousness evaporated into thin air.

“Well you’re early. None of the other guards have made it in yet. Bridget began, “So as I get to know them you are more than welcome to tour our facilities after today they will be yours too. We have workout rooms, a regulation swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, and much more to offer. We believe in living good around here and our employees too. Johnathon’s office is around the corner. He’s the male head lifeguard. You’re welcome to stick your head in. He’ll like you. You have the charisma it takes to do this job.”

“I think I’ll do that Bridget. It was nice meeting you.”

“One more thing. You’ll need this walkie. It’s #5 take good care of it. It’s they way we contact each other. Just take it with you. I’ll let you know when everyone else arrives and I’ll explain more about it then. And Shawna it was nice meeting you too. I think we’ll be great friends.” Bridget replied.

Shawna closed the door and did a little jump. She was so happy. She felt like she did really well. Then she stopped and looked around hoping no one saw her little dance move. Then she thought no I’ve got absolutely nothing to worry about. I totally rocked that move. She just smiled to herself.

She turned around and ran smack into the brownest hard chest she had ever seen or felt. Whichever way it racks up. She looked up a little dazzled. He stared down into her beautiful green eyes and she ran her fingers through her fiery red hair. She did that from time to time when she felt nervous.

“Hi. I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of meeting such an enthusiastic person on this trip.” My names Devin.

“So I take it you seen my little dance move over there. Well all I have to say about that is I nailed it.” Shawna replied.

“ I do believe you did just that and he tipped his baseball cap towards her. I’m on my way to see Johnathon so I best be on my way.”

“ I haven’t had the chance to make his acquaintance but if he’s anything like Bridget he’ll be awesome. My name is Shawna hy the way. At least we’ll know one of our teammates at orientation. Hey maybe we can sit together”.. she called over her shoulder as she was walking down the hallway to take Bridget’s advice and take a look around.

This is going to be an outrageous summer and it even has perks as she thought about those pecks on Devin that cool blonde hair and blue eyes they were definitely something to think about.

The rest of the lifeguards had finally made it in on their planes around 2:00 that afternoon. They were being flown in from all over the place. One of them Kiarra, had come all the way from Alaska.

I wouldn’t have even thought people from Alaska knew how to swim. Shawna thought to herself, but then again the world never seemed to stop amazing her. She kept starring at the Palms and thinking what a beautiful tree they are. You didn’t see those kind of trees in Battiest, Oklahoma where she was from.

It was as if she stepped into a totally new universe. Of course, her parents were against her going so far away from home but they knew they raised her the best way they knew how. Now they would have to learn how to trust her judgement and let her make all the major decisions in her own life. Just like their parents had to do before them. Now there is even cell phones. No longer long distance they can talk as often as they want.

Bridget came across the walkies bringing Shawna back to reality.

“Meeting in the gym in 15 minutes. Pick up drinks and snacks in the lobby because it’ll be a few hours we have a lot to cover before your first training day tomorrow. Over and out.”

Shawna and Kiarra had already met and seemed to hit it off pretty quickly. So they decided to hit the breakroom and pick up the essentials. They were shocked when they opened the door they figured there would be vending machines. No not here they had a buffet set up with some subs. The make your own kind. They had just about every type of chips you could think of. Barrels of iced down sodas. A fruit tray. They hurried and made their selves a plate and grabbed two cokes on the way out the door. They were talking and wondering whether or not they could make it back to their table in 15 minutes flat. There was a line a mile long in there. They were just lucky they were already heading that direction when she made the announcement. They walked and talked all the way down the hall to the gym. It felt like the start of a good friendship and Shawna was pretty sure Kiarra felt the same way.

Bridget’s voice boomed over the loud speakers, “Welcome everyone. It is so nice to have you here. Every summer it seems like our internship grows bigger and stronger. We love to see new faces in our program whether you decide to stay on after the summer, you choose a different path, or decide that this life is not for you. Some of you may choose college or roads that lead to different careers.

Lifeguarding , especially at the beach, it takes a very special type of person. You were all handpicked someone you know had enough faith in you to set you up and see that you made it here. Some of you may not know this but it’s been going on for a couple of months. Your coaches picked the best of the class and those he or she knew would make it. You are the best of the best or you would not be setting around these tables right now. Still it is very different than the pool. Water of any amounts can be dangerous so that is not where I am going with this. You not only have to watch the ocean as far as you can see but you must also watch what is happening on the beach.

There will be 4 wheelers parked next to your lifeguard stand in case of an emergency further down the beach that requires your services. Boogie boards will be inside your stands. There will be barrels full of ice that you’re expected to stock with plenty of bottled water not just for you. People come out here expecting to have the time of their loves and most of them do. Still yet there are the ones that are not used to our kind of heat out here. They’ll get dehydrated and faint on the beach. Some of them will be drinking and be so drunk that they actually pass out. This is the type of things you need to keep an eye on when watching the beach. A child. That’s wandered off away from its parents. Snag them up bring them to your stands. When you go across the loud speakers be sure to be through. She looks to be about 3 years, old hair dark brown, wearing a one piece purple bathing suit with polka dots. The more can describe the easier it is for these parents who are probably at this point in sure panic. They don’t know she walked out to far in the ocean is she going to drown, did someone kidnap her? Believe me when I say all of these thoughts and more are going through these parents mind right now. So get the situation controlled as soon as possible.

Make sure you keep an eye on your water intake. We don’t want our lifeguards turning up like the tourists. Make sure you stay hydrated and keep yourselves out of danger. It can hit you quick. You could feel faint or nauseated. Just remember to save other people you have to put yourself first because if not you are no good to them.

Next, it takes great body and strength to pull a board with a person in trouble and who is dead weight, and yourselves through rapid and huge currents in the water. So there will be a lot of working out, exercises, and running. You will be up way before dawn and in bed long after the sun goes down. This is truly an awesome job. You will have a lot of fun, make new friendships that will last no matter where you go, but it’s not always easy and it’s not for everyone. Some of you will stay and others of you will go, but one thing is for sure you will leave a knowing yourself better than when you walked through that door. All I ask is try. You’ll be glad that you did no matter which way you go you will know for sure. There won’t be any if I’s and Maybes you will know. You will leave here more mature and will have definitely grown into the independence you were looking for when you signed up for this program. With that said I’m going to turn things over to Johnathon he’s our male supervisor. He’ll explain more about workouts and rules but most of all about the fun we have around here.

“It’s all yours Johnathon,” Bridget concluded. Handing the microphone over to him before turning to exit and give him the floor.

“Hey Folks. I’m Johnathon. If you are more comfortable with John then believe it or not but I’ll answer to that too. Let’s all give Bridget a hand for that awesome speech.”

Everyone clapped, yelled and whistled. Way to go Bridget. The room fell silent waiting for John’s speech (I had already decided that was what I was going to call him) just sounds so much more mature to me and the way he looked and carried himself any girl could tell in no way was he immature. She focused back in on the conversation going on.

“I think that speech that Bridget gives gets better each and every time I hear it. Are you curious at all about why? I’m thinking right now that all of you are setting there saying to yourself that I’ve probably heard that same speech over and over. So I’m going to let you in on a little secret Bridget is so upbeat maybe a little crazy at times but that’s what keeps her enthusiasm high and her love for this job and the people she meets along the way. She has always been and as far as I am concerned will always be the backbone of our organization. Doesn’t that bring music to your ears you are all in an organization. We’ll try not to corrupt you too much and make you join a secret society or anything. Unless you do then you can meet the rest of us upstairs later. He laughed at all their curious faces. All joking aside. I can remember sitting right where you are at today. Our speakers were good don’t get me wrong. I still wished I would have had a Bridget there pushing me on. I love to hear her speak because it reminds me of where I’ve been, where I am now, and where I want to go.

That voice just drew me in so deep just listening to him and my eyes well let’s just say they were all over him. 175 pounds give or take solid muscle. Deep tan long black hair. Every girl wants him and every guy wishes he was him.

He glances across the crowd thankful to see such a huge turnout. That was hopeful that way if they lose some of them there then they will still have what they need to carry the weight. He truly loves what he does and enjoys seeing new young people interested in the thing that makes his life thrive.

“Okay. Now for what’s on everyone’s mind. When does the fun begin that I’ve been hearing so much about. Am I right? Of course I’m right I am always right! Laughter filled the air. We want every one of you to have a good time when you are not on shift. We put in some grueling days. A lot of hard work, long hours, and mainly hot sun. Needless to say on any given day you will use all the stamina you’ve got just to make it through. When you are off work we have plenty of things to do around here for relaxation. All of our facilities are now your facilities too. Won’t you look at that in just a few hours you are part of an organization and now you own your own facilities. Anyone overwhelmed yet. Just one of our ways to say thank you for choosing us is the beach closes at 10:00p.m. No guests allowed out there after this time. However, now the beach is your playground to do whatever you like examples: Bonfires, swimming in the moonlight, a late night run. We are all adults here you can enjoy your wines and spirits just make sure your bon fire is put completely out when you leave it and that all the trash is disposed of around it. We want you to have fun in the sun over the next 16 weeks. So that this becomes your second nature and it doesn’t feel like work at all. This time is also for you to decide if this work is the right fit for “YOU” and our main objective is to save lives and keep our beach goers safe from any type of harm. These waters are dangerous. By the time you leave or stay here you will know inside and out what it takes to be a true lifeguard. You will figure out real quick there is no “I” in team. We’re not in competition. You will come to realize your team is who you rely on when things get just a little scary or unnerving out there and trust me when I tell you that day will come. It may not be tomorrow or the next day. It will more like out of the blue but when it does happen you will have each other to assess the situation and get it under control quickly and efficiently. “ TOGETHER” I can’t stress this enough.

This job is serious there are lives lost every day at sea that could have been prevented if the knowledge had just been passed on that is what we work to do here at “Sunset Cove”.

So get to know your partners. What their favorites are: food, color, the way they like to wear their hair? What kind of music they listen to? You get the point just get as close as possible because one day out there on that beach you may just save the other ones life. Having each other’s backs out there can mean the difference between living and dying. Enough with the heavy. Our guards are treated like royalty around here.

So much so that some of our other staff complain. You have a mansion on the other side of the shore which you live, breath, and hopefully call home. There’s a dining room for your convenience they serve the best omlet in town.

There is a ballroom if you would like to plan parties. A sitting room just to read or relax in front of the fireplace and the exciting part is coming up…Wait for it….drumroll please…everyone has their own apartment with all the luxuries of home and more. They all looked at him dumb founded. Enough talking today.

Tomorrow is Saturday we will start training on Monday. You’ll have the rest of the weekend to prepare. It’s 2:00p.m. now so we’re going to hand out all the keys to you for your apartments in the house. Look around, relax, take a swim whatever you choose to do.

At 7:00 p.m. there will be a banquet welcoming you to Sunset Cove. This is a black tie event. This night is completely on us. In your new place you will find a visa card on your pillow. Go enjoy shopping. Spend whatever you like to make this a magical night to remember. Girls get exquisite dresses made for a princess make sure to pick up all the accessories to go with it.

Men get emasculate designer suits with the shoes to match. Shop ‘til your hearts desire. Just form two lines and Bridget and I will get started on the keys. I can’t wait to see all of you at the Gala this evening. Maybe I’ll get a chance to talk more one on one with all of you. His eyes stopped on Shawna. Their look was long and deep. Something she defiantly would be thinking about the rest of the day. He was really drop dead gorgeous.

He couldn’t be interested in me was her thinking. But yet when she looked back up his eyes where still on her.

Well that concludes our meeting. Don’t forget to pick up your keys. A-M see Bridget and N-Z come and see me. Have a great day looking forward to visiting with you at the Banquet later tonight.