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"Brother Faulkner, how well can you swim?" Carpenter asked, incredulous that someone who spent so much time near and on the water didn't know how. It was one of the first things her Nana Glass had taught her and Em. Nothing much, just enough to keep their heads above water. Of course, they had just been thrown into the White Gull, and expected to make it to the shore, again and again until it stuck. But it was a skill she had used to save herself a few times in the past. And Faulkner, for all his love for the river, had never learned.
He was stammering through a response, something about insulting the Trawler-Man by learning, and letting his body sink when it was his time. Carpenter couldn't stand it. "That's wrong, and you know it. You're going to learn before this pilgrimage is over."
"But it's sacrilege! If the Father in the Water wants to take us, we should go willingly!" He couldn't believe it. Sister Carpenter, an attack dog of the faith, one of the strongest amongst them, who had grown up in and with the faith, knew how to swim? And encouraged him to learn? What would Mason think? What about the hundreds of years of history behind the Verses? Swimming?
"If you're wondering, my Nana taught me that it is actually another way to celebrate the Trawler-Man. Having the Gull encompass you, and you being completely surrounded. Some say there is no better way to be close to the Father," Carpenter said, still looking shocked. She was concerned he didn't know how, and for all his enthusiasm and excitement, didn't want him to drown if their boat tipped over the next day. The argument continued, until Carpenter finally won and decided he would start learning tomorrow. Faulkner agreed because it could be interpreted as another way to worship. And because he didn't want to be seen in the neon orange life vest he knew Carpenter would make him wear.
•••
"We're going to start with just floating on your back," Carpenter said. "Just lay back, and keep your back arched while pushing your chest up." They had found a quiet and still part of the river, just deep enough for them to stand in. Faulkner did what she said, still resisting a little from yesterday. He sank, and started to panic, before he was pulled up by the back of his shirt. "The key is to stay relaxed. But stiff enough to keep tension. Try again." He did, and relaxed too much, sinking immediately. Carpenter sighed "Stop thinking so much. I won't let you drown". It would've been faster to teach him how she was taught. But she liked Faulkner, and he deserved more kindness than she had been given in life. They spent the next hour working on just floating, and even though Faulkner was still tetchy and hadn't completely come around on the idea, he was able to float.
"Are we done now? We still have a pilgrimage to get to."
"Not even close, you can only float, not control where you're going. Treading water is next,"
And she patiently showed him how his torso should be, and how to kick while circling his arms. He started the movement, while Carpenter supported him, before she slowly moved away. And Faulkner's head went under. She dragged up again and he caught his breath before trying again. If he had to withstand this humiliation, he might as well get it done with as quickly as possible. After only a few tries, he managed to get the skill down, ready again to be done.
"Now you know how to float at least, so now we can get to actually swimming." Carpenter said.
"That all wasn't enough? I'm not going to sink, Carpenter. Can't we just get on with our day?" He was starting to get cold and tired, and just wanted to continue following his god.
"No. C'mon, we're almost done." And yet again, so patiently he knew it was a ruse, she showed him how to paddle. He tried a few times, and managed to get across the pool they were in.
"Nicely done. Now, paddle across the river and back and we can be done. I could use a cappuccino." Faulkner looked at the distance she wanted him to go across. It was calm. and not too long. It should be easy.
"Fine. We're done after this though." He started to swim, slowly but surely across the river.
She didn't know why she had insisted on making him go the full way. Maybe trying to recreate the way she was taught. Maybe as a bit of payback for all his attitude. But she regretted he own decision and cruelty when Faulkner, halfway across the river, started to flail, his head going under again, calling for her in the moments he was above water.
She didn't think, she just swam, thanking her Nana for teaching her in rougher waters than this. Faulkner was still struggling ahead, panic taking over instead of the training she had given him. She caught his arm, and pulled him in to her chest, swimming backwards back to the pool as Faulkner coughed and heaved. Finally she pulled him to the shore, coughing. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I should have checked it was all calm," she hovered over him, making sure he wasn't hurt or scared.
"I-I'm okay," Faulkner was on his hands and knees now, coughing up the water that had invaded his lungs. "The current caught me and I couldn't get out. I panicked." The next thing he knew, Carpenter was hugging him, more gently and desperately than he had ever been hugged before. He floated his arms over her back, before giving in and returning the hug. "I'm okay now. Really."
She didn't know why she hugged him, and understood less why she wouldn't let go. In the last few days this boy had become closer to her than she had expected, and she had almost lost him to something as stupid as the river. Eventually they let go, she declared him competent enough, and they went back to the town, still shaken, but moving on.
Later, over pancakes Carpenter felt like they could tease each other a little. "What, I don't get a thanks for saving you from drowning?"
"No. I still think it's all an insult to the Father. You'll get my thanks when you deserve it." He shoved a huge bite into his mouth and they ate in silence.
•••
Eventually, on the banks of their river, by a willow tree, after saving each other one final time, he thanked her.