by Claudia
Our family used to rent cabins at Lake Meridian before we moved to Kent. I was about six when the incident happened one summer day at the lake. I had been practicing jumping into the lake from the dock all afternoon. Our dad was enjoying the day from the shore and when I thought I could catch his attention, I yelled, "Watch!" and jumped in where the water was deep, just like I had been doing all day. But as soon as my head went under water, I realized I didn't have my life jacket on anymore. I frantically tried to keep myself from going under. Becky was swimming nearby and had seen me jump in, so she swam over to try to keep me afloat. She didn't have a life jacket on either, so all I did was pull her under. She remembers feeling like we were both going to drown.
Philip was also swimming nearby—but he was wearing his life jacket—and calmly paddled over to us and heroically saved both of us.
Phil was my hero. He was tough enough for me. It’s true, he was not a fighter. But he was no wimp either.
We were at a party – I don’t remember whose party it was, but it was in Kent -- before Phil went traveling. I remember my sister Beverly was there and Phil. I didn’t know anyone else. Bev and I were sitting on the couch in the living room and some guy came and sat between us. He was a stocky guy. Bev got up and sat down on a chair next to the couch. I tried to stand up and this bonehead grabbed me by the waist of my jeans and pulled me back down. I looked at Bev and said, “Get Philip!” Beverly left the room to find Phil while I tried to fight this guy off. I looked around the room and everyone was in polite conversation, so screaming seemed inappropriate. I was a quiet person, and I didn't like drawing attention to myself. Besides, I knew help was on the way.
It didn’t take long for Phil to show up to save me. He didn't say anything; he just took my hand and pulled me up while this guy again tried to pull me back down. Phil just kept pulling me up until I was able to get loose. The guy said to Phil, “She wants it,” to which Phil said adamantly, “No. She doesn’t.” It didn’t matter that this guy was bigger and seemingly stronger. I knew Phil wasn’t a fighter, but he could talk his way out of most situations. I walked a few steps away while he talked to the guy. I’m not sure what he said to him, but he was able to avoid a fight.
The next morning, at the family home in Kent, Phil matter-of-factly announced, “I had to save Claudia last night.” Once again.
