"BRAVERY IS WHAT DEFINES US"

               “BRAVERY IS WHAT DEFINES US”

(CAUTION.....CONTAINS PROFANITY)

Through century after century, the world has accumulated a pristine number of heroes and heroines as history explains. Most of us agree on the fact that bravery isn't a trait that you are born with or passed down the family tree. In the majority of cases, bravery is triggered or activated by a compelling drive to do what they believe is the right thing to do and we are still puzzled in the sense that we are unsure if it is a mindset or if bravery derives from the heart.

In 2006 a group of swimmers from Mt. Corlis, Texas received an invitation for a swim meet in sunny Nova Springs, Florida. It was still going to be chilly in Florida, about 50 degrees, but it would be an indoor heated pool. They were so excited and so pumped for the trip they could hardly contain their emotions. There were five members of the team and recently lost a team member due to grades and became ineligible. Before the group departed, Fallon DeMarco, the group captain, stood up to say a few words before they got underway.

It was mostly about how the rest of the group should avoid making her look bad in public and how they should model themselves after her and her second in command, Natalie Robinson. Fallon and Natalie had a certain way of making everyone else feel as though they were lucky to even be considered for a spot on the team. Both had high-end upbringings and were considered a bit entitled at times by their peers.

Cassie Newman, Ursula Boyter, and Porsha Gilliam made up the rest of the squad. Porsha was the only African American on the team, but she has a very impressive skill set. She was also on the diving team which gave her one-up on her illustrious team captain. They had been on the road for at least an hour and the subject comes up about roster placement.

Fallon: Ok, I've changed the order for the meeting. I'm not going to go first this time. Instead, I will appoint someone else in the one slot. I'm going to let Natalie go first.

Porsha: Figures.

Fallon and Natalie (simultaneously): I'm sorry did you say something?

Porsha: I'm laughing inside. That's a neat trick, you pulling each other's strings like that.

Fallon: If you have something to say you can say it misses high dive!

Porsha: What the hell does that even mean and why does my diving background always come up when I call you bitches out. You two are so fucking over the top petty!

Coach Barrett: Alright alright that is enough from all of you. Porsha, Fallon is captain, and what she says goes.

Porsha: Are you for real right now?

Coach Barrett: Yes, if you want to talk to me then we will discuss it in Florida.

Porsha: Actually, I'm good.

Fallon gave Porsha a wink and the infamous mean girl smiled as she turned around in her seat. Porsha sat back down calmly and put her headphones over her ears wondering why she even came on this trip. Ursula went back to Porsha's seat to check on her. They have known each other since the fourth grade so they have been through a lot together. They pressed their backs up against the seat and looked up to see Fallon, Natalie, and Coach Barrett laughing back and forth to each other.

Ursula: They are so fake, and Barrett is too blind to see past all that Maybelline.

Porsha: Oh no, she likes the Maybelline, trusts me on that.

Ursula: What, no no no-spill it. Now........

Porsha: okay, shhhhhhhh. So do you remember

three weeks ago when we all had to stay after practice but she let Fallon go home?

Ursula: yeah I remember.

Fallon: Well when I was stretching. She left her IPAD next to me and it was still synced with her phone. Barrett was texting her saying how good she looked in that new bikini and that she couldn't wait to come by later. I took a pic with my phone.

Ursula could not believe what she just heard. The news left her mouth wider than the Grand Canyon and for good reason. It just proved that even swimming can be cut-throat at times and competition can be brutal.

Ten hours later, the group had finally entered Florida state lines. The trip was long and exhausting so the group decided to find a place where they could sit down and eat. Nineteen hours trapped in a vehicle with people you are not very fond of only leaves you thinking about the trip back. Ursula and Porsha came from the rear of the van and exited together. Fallon, Natalie, Cassie, and Coach Barrett all exited the van next. It was a beautiful restaurant and everyone loved seafood. There was a huge koi pond right in front of the restaurant with a large body of water on both sides. To a person who had never been there before it was absolutely breathtaking. Coach Barrett instructed the girls to proceed inside so they can begin with lunch. Just then, there was a loud commotion from some of the patrons. A late-model Ford truck had just exited the off-ramp and barreled toward the restaurant at a high rate of speed. People were quickly scrambling to get out of the way from this vehicle that was clearly out of control at this time. Ursula grabbed Porsha's hand and ran with her, seconds before impact. It was so surreal, so close. The truck went through the barricade at the restaurant and ended up face down in a thirty-foot lagoon. It was sinking so fast, like a rock. There were people inside and the only thing that anyone could do was watch and wait for the fire department. In an instant, Porsha reacted and jumped onto the barricade.

Coach Barrett: Porsha, No........No, No, No. Get down, please. No!

Ursula: Porsha please don't!

Just like that, Porsha jumped in and landed about ten feet away from the driver's side door. She stayed down for about four minutes and came up for air. She went right back down and the situation appeared dire. Coach Barrett and even Fallon were extremely worried at this point. Just then the fire department and the police had arrived. They asked one of the ladies how long the truck has been underwater. About ten minutes blurted out the woman.

Woman: You have to hurry because a young lady just jumped in to help them.

Fireman: What!

As the fire department donned their diving gear, Porsha finally surfaced with a large male she had cradled in the inside of her elbow, pulling him to the side. It was textbook water rescue. Porsha couldn't even hear all of the praises and cheers from everyone up top because she was shaking so bad from being on the border of hypothermia. The paramedics started CPR as soon as the gentleman came out of the water. Fallon grabbed a towel from one of the firemen and wrapped Porsha up with a huge silent hug. When the paramedic came over to check Porsha out, he asked her how she pulled that off. She told the fire chief that her dad was a Navy diver and taught her everything she knew. Things like following the bubbles if you ever get turned around underwater and breathing. Then the fire chief asked her one last question.

Fire Chief: Did you not have any fear of alligators when you jumped in?

Porsha: I'm sorry what, alligators?

Fire Chief: Yes ma'am, that is a lagoon of about five hundred alligators. This is an alligator farm behind the restaurant. Your very lucky though and do you know why?

Porsha: Why?

Fire Chief: Because it is about 47 degrees outside right now, and alligators go dormant at around 55 degrees. Count your blessings. The guy had a seizure, and you saved his life.