“HOLD ON, SHIRLEY!” George yelled as he thrust his oar towards her. Her head was wildly bobbing up and down as the rapids washed over her. She finally grabbed the oar and Jed, a high schooler, helped George reel her in. They got her to the edge of the raft but were having a hard time pulling her on in. She was dead weight. With one last pull, they had her in the raft. Poor Shirley just sat there. George convinced her to sit down in front of him and hang on to the handle. He then wrapped his legs around her to make sure she didn’t fall overboard again. It was a wild ride and the rapids were rough. Shirley had never imagined THIS.
Shirley had no inclination to get in a raft and go down the river, especially a river which was swollen from heavy rains. And she certainly never planned to put on a wetsuit—ever! But those kids...they had begged her from the minute they left the church. They actually acted thrilled that she and George had joined the trip. Well she’d have to admit...it wasn’t just the kids trying to convince her to raft. George had also told her, “I will if you will!” She felt like it was almost a dare that she couldn’t or shouldn’t pass up. And the kids were having so much fun that she just didn’t want to rain on their parade. Jason laughed as he watched the struggle she was going through trying to decide what to do. “Don’t do anything you don’t want to do Miss Shirley,” he said. “These kids will have a blast whether you go or not. But they obviously love you and want you to be a part of their fun.” His grin was engaging. “I just came to cook!” she wailed.
The next morning, as she and George cooked breakfast for twenty-two people, George began teasing her, “Is it the river you’re afraid of or the fact you don’t have a hairdresser out here?” She punched him in the arm and he rubbed it like she’d really hurt him. Jennie saw the whole thing and ran and told a roomful of girls, “George and Miss Shirley are FLIRTING! We have GOT to make them go on the float trip!” And, of course, the guys then knew what was going on so everyone used their best tactics trying to convince them to go rafting. Tiffany argued, “Miss Shirley, we can’t leave you behind to be bored or do all the work.” “Come with us, Miss Shirley—we’ll look out for you. You won’t even get wet with us helping you,” Jed and Cole tried to convince her. Finally, Miss Shirley stood up and commanded everyone’s attention. “Alright everyone. I’ll go. Jed & Cole, I’ll expect you to be in my raft and keep your word. But I’m going on one condition...everyone has to help cook supper tonight and clean up. Is it a deal?” The room erupted with cheers, whistling, and clapping. And Miss Shirley thought, “What have I just gotten myself into? I don’t even like water!” George had a big smile and made a gallant bow towards her. What in the world was happening? She sat down quickly because the room seemed to be spinning.
Was the guide sounding like Charlie Brown’s teacher? All she heard was, “Wah, wah, wah, wah, wah.” Was that rushing sound in her ears the river or her high blood pressure? The kids were so excited, she couldn’t back out. She did catch the guide saying, “Keep your life jacket on at all times and if you should fall overboard, try to get back to your raft. We’ll help you get back in. If you can’t make it to the raft, head to the riverbank. We’ll make a couple of stops along the river to rest.” Wait! Did she know enough? She hadn’t caught anything else.
It was time to load up. Jed and Cole were true to their word and made sure they got in the same raft she did. To her surprise, George insisted on joining them and got behind her. Her heart did a little flip. “What are the kids thinking?” she wondered. Jennie and Tiffany also joined them but those girls didn’t fool her—she’d already seen them batting their eyes at Jed and Cole. The boys kept her laughing as they started out. They were showing off their muscles and bragging pretty hard. They promised the girls that they would jump in and save them if they went overboard. The person who surprised her most was George. He showed more skill and strength in rowing than the high school boys. He’d obviously done this before.
Everything was just fine as they started out and Shirley thought, “Why this isn’t so bad! I can do this. I’m even able to enjoy the scenery as we go along.” She knew she probably didn’t pull her own weight but George took up the slack. It was all just fine until they took the bend in the river. She was sure her eyes had never been that wide in all her life. She wasn’t sure if she’d screamed out loud or if it was one of those silent shocked screams. The kids were obviously loving the thrill. She was terrified. The guide said something like, “Bump!” But she had no idea what he meant. That’s when she fell overboard and got a mouthful of freezing water. She couldn’t seem to catch her breath! When she finally got back in the raft, she was done. She just wanted to go back to the cabin and go to bed.
George knew Shirley was overwhelmed and wasn’t having fun anymore. He was determined to help her regain her equilibrium at the rest stop. He brought her a sack lunch the outfit provided, got her a towel and blanket, and found the most comfortable spot for her to sit in the sun. Jed and Cole were troopers and brought her an extra towel and a candy bar they’d stashed in their life jacket. They apologized for not keeping her in the raft. Shirley recovered and by lunch’s end, she’d found her determination. George was proud of her and told her so.
The kids were whooping and hollering on the ride back to the cabin. You’d have thought they were all explorers and had discovered a new world with their tall tales. But the photos the outfit took told a different story with wide eyes and open mouths in every raft. They all kept their eyes on Miss Shirley & George that evening; watching Miss Shirley touch George’s shoulder as she walked behind him and George serving Miss Shirley coffee and dessert. Something had definitely happened. And it had the kids whispering and the girls giggling.
Jason called Caleb before the group left the mountains. He laughingly told him that sparks were flying between Miss Shirley and George. He encouraged us to meet them at the church when they pulled in that afternoon at four. I was squealing and grabbed Caleb’s arm when he told me. “I knew it! I KNEW it!!!” I would have jumped up and down if I wasn’t so great with child. I couldn’t wait to hear all about it. “Thank you, God,” I whispered.
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