Alarm

“You’re not going to fall out,” Aiden assured me. “Watch again.”

He tapped the top of the jellyfish with his index finger, and the little creature swirled around until it was upside down, reaching out toward the top of the water with its undulating tentacles.

“Is it trying to sting you?”

“Yep.” The jellyfish rolled back until it was right side up, and Aiden tapped at it again. Once more, it tried to reach for his finger by spinning upside down.

“They aren’t very bright,” Aiden remarked, “but a lot of fun to play with. You try it.”

“Me? Touch a jellyfish?”

“As long as you only touch the top, it doesn’t hurt. It feels kinda cool.”

“No way!”

“What’s the worst thing that could happen?

“If anyone would end up getting stung, it would be me.”

“So you recognize that being stung is the worst possible outcome?”

“I guess so.” I wasn’t sure where he was going with this.

“Have you ever been stung by a bee?”

“When I was a kid, yes.”

“And you lived?”

“Obviously.”

“Compared to these jellies, bee stings are worse,” Aiden said. “So, give it a shot. You know you’re going to live.”

I glared at him, but he just smiled back as he poked another one of the creatures. I took a deep breath, fairly certain he wasn’t going to let me get out of it, and reached out to touch the top part of the jellyfish’s body,

It was slimy.

“Eww!” I cried as I quickly pulled my hand out of the water. The jellyfish rolled onto its back to try to catch me. “It’s gross!”

Aiden laughed, causing the kayak to shake.

“I’ll show you gross,” he said. He picked up the paddle and maneuvered us closer to the mangrove roots. The water was shallow here, and I could see right to the bottom. Aiden looked over the side, moved us forward a little more, and then grabbed hold of one of the tree roots.

“There’s one,” he muttered. “Lean to your right a bit.”

I did so, and Aiden leaned to the left, shoving his whole hand and arm down into the water. I bit into my lip to keep from squealing as the kayak swayed left. I wasn’t enough counterbalance and had to lean over further.

“I got it!” Aiden said as he sat back up, and the kayak rocked right, startling me.

“Warn me!” I cried out as I righted myself.

“You aren’t going to fall out,” Aiden said again. He leaned forward and held out his hand. Lying in his palm was a brownish mass that resembled a giant, lumpy dill pickle that had been in the back of the refrigerator for far too long.

“What is it?” I asked.

“A sea cucumber,” Aiden said. “It’s about the most disgusting thing in the world.”

“It is gross,” I agreed.