Mitch reached the boat where Matt was stranded. He helped the shivering young lifeguard onto the Baywatch patrol cruiser and then secured the disabled Scarab to a tow line so that they could bring it back to shore. Matt helped himself to some coffee and wrapped himself up in a thermal blanket. He’d spent many nights on the open sea before, but it was no fun if you weren’t prepared for it.
As soon as Matt told Mitch the entire story of what had happened, Mitch started laughing.
“What’s so funny, Mitch?” he demanded.
“I know you were afraid to live up to your claim that you could ride a long board but that’s the worst made-up excuse I’ve ever heard, and I’ve got a 15-year-old at home,” Mitch said between guffaws.
“Ha ha, Mitch,” said Matt, very annoyed. “It’s all true except for the part where I said I was making out with Summer Quinn when I heard the stolen boat. I made that part up.”
“Oh yeah? That was the one part I did believe. What were you doing then?”
“Uhh… Watching television,” Matt lied.
“So you went, alone, in the middle of the night, after a stolen boat, made an unauthorized dive, fought a giant squid and didn’t catch your man?”
“That’s right,” Matt said ruefully.
“That has got to be, single-handedly, hands down, without a doubt, unquestionably, the king of the hill, top of the heap, cream of the crop, A-1, acme, superstar, all-time….” Mitch paused for breath.
“Do go on,” said Matt.
“…dumbest thing you’ve ever done!” finished Mitch.
They reached the shore where various nameless and faceless Baywatch lackeys were waiting to deal with both boats.
“I know. I wasn’t thinking,” admitted Matt.
“I should say you weren’t!” Mitch shouted. “Next time, you call for backup. Next time you do not go running off by yourself. Next time….” Mitch trailed off.
“Next time what, Mitch?”
Mitch started sobbing uncontrollably. “What if something had happened to you? What would I do without you?”
“Oh Mitch!” Matt embraced his friend. “Nothing happened! I’m okay! And I promise I’ll be more careful in the future. Okay? There there.”
Mitch’s cries quieted and his heavy breaths slowed. Soon, he was recomposed. “Do you promise?” he asked.
“I promise, Mitch,” Matt said. “Now are you going to be okay? I need to take a shower. I feel gross.”
“I’ll be fine,” Mitch sniffed. “Go on ahead.”
Mitch watched as Matt walked off towards the shower room. He sure could use a few more Matt Brodys around Baywatch. He grabbed a passing lackey.
“See to it that that man gets put in for a commendation,” Mitch told it. “I’ll sign the paperwork myself.”
“Um, which man are you talking about, sir?”