Caleb has promised me an after-dinner swim this evening as the first of the year, much to Sam's dismay. Sam wanted the first swim of the year to be a refresher on my lessons. Never mind that they throw me into the ocean with alarming regularity, off a cliff, no less, he wants me to be able to swim around back to the point without assistance, by myself.
But your first rule is not to swim alone. Ever.
This is emergency preparation, Bridget. Just like the fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
And in the hall, in case the kitchen is already on fire.
Exactly.
And the upstairs and downstairs halls-
Right. Preparation is key.
So you're making me into a navy seal?
No, just a strong swimmer.
I don't even think my shoulders or my arm are up to swimming today. I mostly plan to float.
Also a plan. In case you're injured or tired.
You're becoming more like Lochlan every day.
Really? He laughs. How so?
Contingency plans. Always a good contingency plan.
Lochlan is very smart.
True. But not academic smarts.
No, that's Caleb. Lochlan is life-smart.
Thought you were going to say street smart.
No, he goes above that.
Yeah, he does.
Who does what? Lochlan comes in.
We were just admiring your mind.
How's that?
Sam wants me able to return around the point alone in case of emergency and I told him that was a very Lochlan-thing to do.
Yeah. He nods at Sam. Good idea. I didn't think of it though.
You've wished for it before.
But unlike Sam, who has more faith than anyone I know, I didn't think you could train for it. I just figured you were too small to fight the waves.
I can fight anything.
Yeah, you can. You're strong. A lot stronger than before.
Tears. Geez. We've having a full-on circle jerk here and it's really nice.