The Plunge

We, the girls of Boyle Orphanage, took a dare very seriously. There was no joking around. You accepted the dare, did it, and got that person’s dessert, or did the dishes for Mrs. Mellwart’s (our headmistress’s) holiday parties. So, when Selby Lionel dared Sarah quip to jump off Gull Cliff, she went into a panic.

All of the girls of Boyle Orphanage were playing on the sand dunes of the beach in our wool bathing suits. The boys of Reckler’s Orphanage were digging a trench in the sand and flinging sand at each other. Selby came over to us.

“I dare one of you to jump off Gull Cliff,” Selby says.

We automatically back away.

“How ’bout you, Sarah? Or are you chicken?” Selby grins.

Sarah turns pale and backs away.

“I will,” I say.

Why did I say yes? Gull Cliff is twelve feet about the ocean. Too late now to back out.

The hike to Gull Cliff goes quickly. When we reach the top, I go to the edge, my toes hanging over. The girls and boys are watching with bated breath. The boys are betting on how many times I’ll scream. I look down. It’s a long way to the swirling waters.

“Jump!” everyone chants.

I look straight ahead. Fear is taking over, welling inside me. Enough.

I jump off the cliff.

The wind whistles by. The ocean is getting closer, reaching for me. Time is slowing down. I am falling. Down. Down. Down. The wind picks up. Oh my gosh. The waves are getting even closer. I open my mouth to scream.

“WHA-HOO!” I scream.

This is marvelous. I love it. Then, the waves are lapping at my foot. WHOOM!

I am underwater, sinking down in the murky water. I swim upward and break the surface. I gasp and swim to the shore to a cheering crowd. I can see Selby. His expression is enough to make me laugh. I grin.

“Now I dare you to jump off the cliff,” I say to Selby.