Color the Sidewalk for Me by Brandilyn Collins Page B

his skin like frozen wax. It was there, faintly. “His heart’s beatin’!”
    Danny leaned close to his face. “He’s not breathin’.”
    Willfully I calmed myself, summoning my knowledge. Hadn’t we studied it enough in P.E.? Hadn’t we practiced dozens of times on dummies and teased our classmates about being mouth-to-mouth? “Tilt his head,” I said.
    Kevy’s chin jutted into the air. Danny pulled open my brother’s mouth, looking inside; then I took over. Pinch the nose closed. Cover the victim’s entire mouth. Exhale forcefully. And again. How many times in a row? I couldn’t remember. Danny pushed me aside for another look. Nothing. I repeated the steps and pulled back. Still no movement. “Turn him over,” Danny commanded.
    Panic rose within me and I fought to push it away. We flopped Kevy like a fish, ignoring the sharp discomfort on which he lay. Danny turned his head to one side and pushed on his back. “Lord in heaven,” Danny prayed aloud, “please save him.” Brown water trickled out of Kevy’s mouth. Danny pushed again. Another trickle. On the third push Kevy’s lips convulsed, his legs smacking against the rocks. He coughed violently, then retched. His eyeballs rolled under their closed lids, his throat gurgling. Danny flipped Kevy over to his back again and tilted his head. I bent down to cover my brother’s mouth with my own once more, feeling the slick coldness of Kevy’s skin on my lips. After three breaths I pulled away. “Come on, Kevy, breathe.”
    I started to bend down again but Danny caught my arm. “No, wait.” My brother’s chest began to rise, air whining in his throat. “Yes, Kevy.” I rubbed his forehead hard. “Come on.” His chest fell with a moan.
    â€œThank you, Jesus!” Danny cried excitedly. “Come on, Kevin!”
    Kevy sucked in air again, his white face turning a slight pink, eyes fluttering open. “Celia.” His lips barely moved. Danny and I shot each other a victorious glance.
    â€œYes, Kevy, I’m here.”
    For no reason a sob rose suddenly in my throat. I hadn’t cried the whole time; now was an odd moment to start. “Oh,” I moaned, voice breaking. I tried to push the emotions away but could not. Kevy was all right; my brother was going to be fine. “Thank God!”
    â€œDon’t cry, Celia,” Kevy whispered.
    I brought both hands to my mouth, overwhelmed with exhaustion and relief. Dear Kevy, nearly drowned, and he was worried about me. I felt the chilly touch of his fingers on my forearms, which made me cry all the more. “It’s okay, Kevin,” I heard Danny say. And then I stood up and Danny was standing, too, saying my brother was going to be all right. I nodded fiercely but still I sobbed, turning away so he wouldn’t see my face. After a minute I felt a tentative touch on my shoulder and was embarrassed to find him right behind me. “Please don’t cry, Celia; he’s okay now.”
    â€œI know.”
    â€œThen why’re you cryin’?”
    â€œI can’t help it; I’m just glad he’s all right. He’s the only brother I’ve got.”
    â€œOh.” I could sense him shifting uncomfortably. “Are you through yet?”
    I tried to breathe evenly but the tears kept coming. “No. I’m sorry.”
    â€œThat’s okay. You don’t have to apologize.”
    I turned toward him, the ground blurry beneath my feet. “I just w–want,” I stuttered, covering my mouth so he wouldn’t see my lips pull, “to thank you for s–savin’ my brother.”
    â€œIt’s all right; I couldn’t a done it without you. And God helped us both.”
    â€œNo, if you hadn’t jumped in—”
    â€œCelia.” He put a hand on each of my shoulders. “You got to stop now; we still need to help