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Rising Tide on Plum Island

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"Listen kids, there isn't much time. Billy, you lie flat on the rocks and reach as far into the crack as you can without getting stuck yourself...stretch! Twins, you two hang on to Billy's feet. Allan, make room for Billy. Leslie, support Allan. He's very tired."

Yes, tired and soaking wet, cold and frightened.

"I can't move my leg, Mom. I can't...I'm stuck!"

I looked up for a split second to see that the sky had turned ominously dark, the tide bearing down on us. It showed no mercy.

"Yes, you can, Allan You can!" I shouted in my anguish, mindful that time was not on our side. "Twist it until Billy's arm can slip through. Just do it!"

Allan twisted with all his might. Billy plunged both hands into the icy water, and inched his fingers along the torn pants, his slim torso dangling over the rock. Each second seemed an eternity, each splash in our faces, a tsunami.

The twins kept repeating, "Got it, Billy?" Allan was crying, "I'm freezing, Mom." And my heart was pounding furiously when Billy said, "Hey guys, I'm touching the sneaker."

"Good going, Billy." I said, and hugged his wet legs. "Listen...wrap your hand around it...got it?"

"Yup."

"Good...push the heel down as hard as you can."

As I squeezed Allan's arm, the pleading in his eyes tore me apart. I kissed his cheek trying to hold back, but this time the tears welled up.

"It's almost over," I whispered, all the while envisioning the consequences if we failed--the very last minute, water swirling around Allan's chest, the time when I would have to send the kids back to the dunes, Allan and I left on the jetty in a rising tide. I would never leave him there alone. Dear God, what shall I do then?

"I've got my fingers inside the shoe, Mom...it's mushy."

"Good. Now grab Allan's heel and yank his foot out. You too, Allan. Pull as hard as you can!"

Suddenly, the words shot out of Billy's mouth. "It's off...it's off!"

A wave splashed hard against the rocks, showering us all as we laughed away the unbearable tension and Allan eased up his scratched leg. Billy cradled his brother's foot in his bloody hands as if to display his trophy for winning the battle. I hugged Allan tight, so overcome with relief and gratitude I couldn't speak. He hugged me back, then resumed his big brother role as if he had merely taken a spill.

"You saved my life, guys...hey, wanna look for horseshoe crabs?"

"I'll race you to the end of the jetty," Billy said. "Look, the sun is out."

"Yowie!" the twins yelled.

Leslie and I stood on the rock where Allan had slipped, smiling at one another as we watched him limp off wearing one shoe, sunlight glowing against his striped hat.

"There's still a little time before the tide gets too high, Mom," she said.

Liz Larrabee was born in Salem, MA, in 1925 and is a proud graduate of Edwards Elementary. She has five children and nine grandchildren. She enjoys traveling, writing, and taking pictures. Her work has been published in the Herald Tribune, Venice Gondolier, Sarasota and Beyond, and Attencion in San Miguel de Allende. Her work can also be read in the appropriately named Liz Larrabee's Book.