It happened when I was thirteen years old, just hit puberty. I can still remember that day, Sunday. It was the hottest Summer I’ve ever felt. Everything would have been the same is Frank didn’t accidentally broke the air condition. He was playing indoor baseball. With our only air condition broken, all the children went into the car and uses the car’s air condition. Just when Angela was about to get into another fight with Frank for breaking the air condition, Dad came in the car. Without saying a word, he started the car and drove down the street. No one knew where he is going, and no one asked. We knew he won’t apply, he never does. Dad seems calm, driving without haste. Then, we saw a huge open sea. It was then we know where he is heading. The road leads only to the beach, nowhere else. Angela and I started smiling at each other; we know there is joy ahead of us. Yet, Frank started to react in an anxious way. He nearly drowned when he was in elementary. From that day on, he never went near ponds, lakes, rivers and of cause, seas.
After a few minutes, dad found a parking lot which is covered by a huge palm tree’s shadow. He parked there, and walked straight out onto the beach. Then I jumped outside. It was still pretty hot, especially on pavement. The road was a little sticky, and I didn’t know why until my 11th grade teacher, Mr. Pavekin told me that pavement melts in extreme heat. Anyway, just when I’m about to go onto the beach, I heard my sister scream. She dragged my unconscious brother outside the car and under the shade. He must have faint from the heat and the water. Angela was trying to wake Frank up by spraying her water bottle’s water on his face, but nothing works. I’m very sure dad wasn’t around during that time, because I didn’t remember seeing him when Frank fainted. Angela was very nervous, she asked me to go get dad, but I don’t even know where he went. He never tell us where he is going and when he is going to be back. So I have to choose a direction, right or left. One thing I didn’t mention before was, that beach wasn’t really crowded. It wasn’t a famous beach and I guess that’s why dad went there. However, there is still a large crowd on my right. A street performer was playing violin there. This tells me, dad definitely went left. He doesn’t like crowded place. So I started walking toward left.
For some reason, I wasn’t in haste, or worried about my brother. I was actually enjoying my way to find dad. I closed my eyes to enjoy the gentle brush of the cool wind. It was a peaceful moment. About 10 minutes later, I found dad. He was sitting on a rock under another palm tree’s shadow. I slowly walk up to him and told he what happened to Frank. I said it in a very calm tone. Yet, dad didn’t do anything. He sat perfectly still looking toward the sea. I guess he didn’t hear me, so I said it again. This time, I mentioned that Angela was very anxious. He reacted this time. Without saying a word, he slowly walked toward to sea. I was very confused. What kind of father walks toward the sea when his son fainted? But I didn’t stop him; I sat on the rock he was sitting on 1 minute ago looking at him. About half way to the sea, dad started running. He ran so fast, it only took him a few second till he reached the water. He ran straight into the sea until the water is up to his waist. Then he stopped. During that short 1 and a half minutes, I saw a totally different person. I’ve never seen my dad running, never. And running into the sea with his cloth on was also unbelievable. He stayed there for a very long time.
Then, I saw my sister in a distance running toward this direction. When she reached me, she slapped me as hard as she could. It was clear that she was crying a few minutes ago, her eyes were still watery. Then, before she even ask me anything, she saw dad.
“Dad!” Screamed Angela. “What are you doing out there?!”
Then dad replied, “Enjoying the outdoor.”
For some reason, I don’t think he is enjoying the outdoor. He didn’t reply with any expression. It looks like he said that without moving any of his facial muscles. Then he walked out of the water and started walking toward the car. Angela and I were totally shocked by his responds. I know dad never play any games, but I never knew he enjoy standing halfway in the water.
It’s still burning hot. The sun is still heartlessly cooking our body. I’m pretty sure I’ll faint from dehydration if I stay there any longer, so I started following. And so did Angela. When we get back, dad is already in the car, with Frank. Somehow dad waked Frank up. I’m not so sure what he did, but I’m pretty sure Frank was wetter then I left to find dad. Dad is also wet, very wet. Yet, he doesn’t mind sitting on the driver seat with totally wet paints. So everyone went into the car. I immediately turn the air condition to the strongest. That cooled everyone down.
The way back home was very quiet. No one said a word, not even Frank. It was one of the strangest outings I’ve ever been with dad. Till now, I can still picture dad standing half way in the water when I go to the beach.
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