Paddling Novels & Stories

I was speechless as I watched Aiden paddle through the water with ease, the light from the sun reflecting off of his ripples. I couldn't take my eyes off him; it was impossible not to admire Aiden as he rode on the swan boat and paddled. It almost felt like it wasn't in his very being to be there, yet he was doing it. I watched him carefully, taking in every move he made with the paddle and observed how his gaze changed from tranquil to determined with each stroke of the paddle. He appeared unconcerned by what might’ve been going through other people’s minds.

As we paddle out, I settle into the familiar stroke, the familiar thump of my heart as my body works to propel me through the icy water. I’m smiling even as Levi pulls ahead of me to cut through a swell. That same swell slaps me in the face when I don’t paddle fast enough, and I sputter.

Adventure. .... ....

His patience steadies her nerves. Melody gazes out towards the horizon and watches sunlight dances across the water's surface. A pelican rests in a patch of honeysuckle along the shore, dipping its wings lazily into the water before rustling its feathers and creating a small splash that makes Mia smile. She's getting the hang of paddling now, her movements more confident, but exhaustion is setting in. Her shoulders ache, and her arms feel heavy. "Can I just float?" she asks, letting her paddle rest across her lap. "My arms are tired."

Even Kelly, despite her growing apprehension, shared in the task, her hands moving with a practiced efficiency that betrayed her exhaustion. We armed ourselves with the most effective weapons we could find. James’s crowbar, sturdy and reliable, was our primary defense against anything physical. My sharpened pipe, though rudimentary, offered a measure of piercing power. Jay, ever resourceful, had fashioned a crude flamethrower from a salvaged propane tank and a length of pipe, though the fuel was meager and its reliability questionable.

Parker answered, holding his stomach as a stitch gripped his side. “We need a river.” Riley declared. “But…” Paisley’s objection left her lips before she could think it through, and now her siblings were looking at her expectantly, waiting for her to finish her thought. Sighing when she realized they weren’t just going to forget, she added, “I can’t swim.” Her heart had never been strong enough to handle any type of cardio activity, so she’d missed out on a lot of fun things other pups took for granted. “Tha’s okay.” Parker assured her. “We’ll help you.”

Chris’ voice came from somewhere close, though I couldn’t tell exactly where. “Nothing,” I replied, shaking my head under the soft fabric. “Good,” he murmured. “Just feel. We won’t need this today though.” Then I discarded it. The paddle was another instrument that carried its own weight of meaning. Smooth and cool, its wooden surface seemed almost innocent at first glance. Nonetheless, in Chris’ hands, it was a means of communication. The rhythm and pressure spoke of his mood, his focus, his intent. “Tell me what you’re feeling,” Chris said, his tone calm but commanding.

We waded out to waist depth. “First thing,” Kaleb said. “Paddling. Lie on your stomach.” I did. The board wobbled under me. “Balance your weight. Center of the board. Now paddle.” I tried. The board went sideways. I slid off, came up sputtering. Kaleb was trying not to laugh. “Not a word,” I said. “Wasn’t going to say anything.” “You were thinking it.” “Can’t prove that.” I climbed back on. Tried again. This time I stayed on for a whole three seconds before tipping over.

“If you fall off the board, ditch the paddle. You can always get the paddle back once your back up. Go ahead and get it ready.” I nodded, and picked up my paddle. “Ready.” “Good,” he said, moving around on his own board. “Go ahead and choke up on the paddle. It'll make it easier.” I moved my hands down the shaft of the paddle and then confidently put the blade into the water. The board moved forward and I grinned. I went a little faster, dipping the paddle in deeper and using a stronger stroke. I could see how Bastian had such a wonderful body. It wasn't terribly aerobic exercise, but it required a lot of stability and strength.