I sit on the back of a bumblebee-colored jet ski, the cushion long and bright yellow. Todd is up front, steering wheel in hand, Micah the hot dog in-between us. We are traveling at high speed over gray-blue water. I feel the wind rush at my face, my hair blow back. I inhale the glorious freshness of this beautiful Minnesota lake. Handles are below on either side of me, but I don’t take hold of them. Instead, I stretch my arms out past Micah and hold onto Todd’s life jacket. Now I feel secure.
We vowed we’d never buy one. Our lake is relatively quiet, and we’d always thought jet skis were annoying…too noisy. But over the years, quieter models emerged, and as Micah entered his teens, I wondered if having one might be a lot of fun for both Micah and Todd, an activity they could do together–a way to bond as father and son.
Unlike the two of them, I don’t often ride this new toy of ours. But they ride for at least an hour or two every day. Indeed, it has become their favorite lake activity.
Especially…since Todd taught Micah how to drive.
“He’s really good at it,” my husband assures me.
“That’s fine,” I say. “But, you have to promise me he can never be alone. You always have to be on there with him. What if he doesn’t notice another boat or jet ski and there’s an accident?” I have walked through enough parking lots with Micah to know he doesn’t always notice when a vehicle is approaching.
He tells me not to worry. Of course, he will always accompany him.
Still, I am thankful that Todd has taught him this skill. Dare I imagine that someday Micah might be able to drive a car? There are so many things I once thought he would never be able to do: perform in a play, sit through an orthodontic appointment and tolerate braces, have his blood drawn without throwing a tantrum…not to mention haircuts. Why wouldn’t driving also be in his future? Perhaps the jet ski is a stepping stone.
These are the possibilities I think of as I hover-fly over the deep water, as I breathe in the pine mixed with woodsmoke and the smell of coconut-scented sunscreen on my son’s neck.
“Micah, what do you like best about riding the jet ski,” I shout from behind.
“I just like to drive fast, Mom!” His wide smile adding to the richness of this beautiful Minnesota day.