Scotty snapped to his senses and into action. As Paul tugged and pulled, Scotty moved toward him and looked over the side of the boat. The shark was thrashing, but the fight had worn him out. Scotty wasn’t sure what Paul’s plan was, but he knew it was illegal to bring a shark onto the boat. He put his hand on Paul’s back.

“Hey, Brittany, look at this. We can’t pull it up, it’s illegal, but you can come look at it right here on the side of the boat,” Scotty called out, half to Brittany and half to Paul in a passive-aggressive way to let him know that they wouldn’t be bringing the shark on board. Brittany and Zach came to the edge of the boat and looked over the side. The gray and white predator was just a baby shark a few feet long, and Scotty could look right into its glossy, black eyes. Paul’s muscles relaxed, and he exhaled. Both he and the shark were exhausted from the fight.

“I can’t believe the line didn’t break,” Scotty said. Paul beamed with pride. “Only skill, Scotty my boy, only skill can do that,” he said proudly.

Paul caught his breath. “Ya know, I’ve always thought of myself as a kind of shark. In the business world, ya know,” he said, sitting back on the padded seat, the shark bobbing right under the surface of the water. “They’re the top predator, right? I mean, everyone knows not to mess with a shark. Even you, Scotty, you’re afraid to bring him up here because you know what he’s capable of. It’s a respect thing, a fear thing. People hate sharks, but sharks don’t care. They’re not out there to make friends; they’re out there to chomp the hell out of anyone who gets in their way. It’s how you get things done,” Paul said, clearly proud of his analogy. Brittany shot Scotty an annoyed look, almost begging him to throw Paul overboard.

“Zach, Brittany, get your phones so we can take a picture. Then we’ll unhook him and let him go,” Scotty instructed. The group stood awkwardly by the edge of the boat and tried to squeeze together to get the shot. Scotty grabbed a pair of wire cutters and inched toward the hook. The sharp teeth made Scotty’s stomach drop, but he was determined to get this shark back into the deep. He looked directly into the shark’s eyes and realized they almost looked like they were pleading with him. He gave the line a snap, and after a few moments the shark darted into the water.

“Ya know, Drew taught me a lot about sharks during the time I worked for him.”

“The AC guy taught you about sharks?” Paul asked a little doubtfully, still catching his breath.

“Absolutely! Yeah. I am who I am because of what Drew taught me about sharks and the Sacred Six.”

“I don’t know, Scotty boy. I mean, I’ve owned a few boats and have been out on more chartered fishing trips than I can remember. I’ve fished all over the world and I have actually brought sharks on board. I’ve been to Asia on business trips and have eaten shark fin soup, Scotty. No offense, but I seriously doubt your buddy the AC tech would know anything about sharks that I don’t already know and what the heck is a Sacred Six?”

“You know what?” Brittany boomed, stopping Paul mid-sentence. Scotty whirled around to look at Brittany, surprised not only at her volume but the fact that she had interrupted Paul at all.

“Drew was not just ‘some AC tech,’ okay? He was my grandfather, and he was one of the most selfless and successful men I’ve ever known. The lessons he taught my dad molded him into the man he is today,” Brittany said, trying to control the shakiness of her voice. Scotty gently put his hand on her arm.

“He has a good wife and family because of what Drew taught him. And you’re not the only successful businessman on this boat, ya know? You could learn a thing or two or six from this AC tech over here,” she said, her voice trembling, clearly upset by both Paul’s arrogance and her dad’s timidness. He gently squeezed her arm. “You’re so proud of your boat? We’ve got a boat, too. Big deal. Bigger than this, but you don’t hear us boasting about it,” she continued.

“Okay, Britty, that’s enough,” Scotty said softly.

“You make a million dollars a year? Whoop-dee-doo, you’re so full of yourself. You’re not the only successful person on this boat. Maybe take five seconds to actually listen and care about other peo—”

“Enough,” Scotty said, more firmly this time. Scotty looked at Paul, over at Zach, back to Brittany, and then back to Paul. Everyone on the boat was uncomfortable and silent, the energy changing. Brittany shook her arm from Scotty’s grasp and headed toward the rear of the boat.

Paul looked shocked and confused, and crossed his arms and thought to himself: Man, Scotty’s a wimp, can’t even control his daughter and her attitude. Men should be alpha dogs. I’d never tolerate that in my house. Same ol’ Scotty, living in dysfunction and chaos. And an AC tech is not a successful businessman. Poor kid, she is lost and clueless about what success really is. No way Scotty has a boat nicer than mine, he doesn’t even have a degree. No way, Paul thought.

Scotty could tell Brittany’s comments got Paul thinking. He stood there with his arms crossed, looking contemplative. Scotty followed Brittany.

“Hey, Britty, you okay?” he asked, sitting down next to her. She rolled her eyes and Scotty smiled slightly, realizing how much she reminded him of CiC when she was fired up.

“Yeah. I mean no, but it’s fine. It’s whatever. I’m just so tired of him talking about himself and his ego and talking down to you like you’re some nobody. Like Grandy was a nobody,” she said, looking away. Brittany was rubbing her shark tooth that hung around her neck on a chain, something she did when she was upset.

“I know. It’s okay. I’m sorry that you felt uncomfortable. I will talk to him, okay?” he assured her.

“Yeah, whatever,” she said dismissively. Scotty got back up and moved toward Paul with purpose.

“She okay?” Paul asked with a smile.

“She’s okay. She loved Drew a lot. And she’s just like her mom; she speaks her mind,” he said unapologetically.

Paul nodded, but thought, No, I get it! You need to get your wife and your daughter in check.

“So what’d Drew the shark expert tell you about sharks? Did he ever catch one?” Paul asked. Scotty could sense annoyance or defensiveness in Paul’s tone.

“During that time of my life, I was on the brink of addiction. I was empty and without any direction. I was doing whatever I could to fill a void in my heart. I was just floating through life with no purpose or direction. I remember the first time I hung out with Drew. He and CiCi took me home after a day at the Boys and Girls Club, which is when I put two and two together and realized that CiCi was Drew’s daughter. The ride was quiet and awkward and I mumbled a quick ‘thank you’ as I jumped out of the truck and avoided eye contact with CiCi at all costs. When Drew dropped me off at home, I assumed that was the last time he’d ever let me within one hundred feet of his daughter, and that he would probably write me off as a waste of space, like everyone else had. Which is why I was so surprised the next morning when he showed up at my door. He told me to get dressed and meet him out in his truck in fifteen minutes. I listened. I threw on some clothes and jumped into his truck without a word,” Scotty said, quickly glancing at Paul. Paul was fumbling with his fishing gear but stopped to look at Scotty when he paused, as if he was interested in hearing more. Scotty went on.

“We drove for a while in silence. Drew asked me if I knew why he named his company Shark’s, and I shrugged and shook my head. He told me it was because he had always been fascinated with sharks, even as a kid. They are at the top of the food chain in the ocean. As he got older, he learned that if he could adopt a few characteristics of a shark, he could become a shark too and have an impact. So he created The Sacred Six. During our drive, he mentioned that he had seen me on that diving platform during my high school swim meets. Sometimes when he had to pick up or drop off CiCi he’d stop by the pool and watch us practice.

“He said, ‘When you are a shark, you don’t just swim, you SWIM. I’ve seen the focus in your eyes, the power in your swim. I’ve seen you prepare yourself before a competition. I’ve seen you at early morning practices and when you stay long after practice is over. The first thing you need to know about being a shark is that sharks never stop moving forward. They are in constant motion, or they die. If they go backward, they drown. It’s called failing forward. If you live in the past, you’ll never improve your future. The best lessons in life are the ones you pay for, Scotty. Sharks never look down; they always look up. Your attitude is the only thing that can stop you. Stay positive, no matter what! Sharks don’t act like common fish, because they are different—they are sharks. Sharks are curious; they are always paying attention and are always learning.’

“Drew kept his eyes on the road the entire time he was telling me all of this, but his intensity and passion were real. I had never had a person talk to me like this before. It was a little scary, but I knew it was good for me. It felt like a lot of information to take in all at once, but I was thankful that he was investing time in me.

“Then—I remember it like it was yesterday—as we stopped at a red light, he turned in his seat and looked right at me and said, ‘Sharks respect their environment and recognize and respect other sharks. And I see one now, Scotty. Sharks can grow about ten to twelve inches a year; you need to grow, my man, but no doubt you are a shark.’ He looked forward and I looked forward, too, taking in the moment.” Scotty got goosebumps telling the story now, just as he had in that old truck when it happened, and always cited it as the moment that began his transformation into who he was today. He remembered it being the first time Drew ever said his famous catchphrase “When you are a shark, you don’t just swim, you SWIM” out loud, but he didn’t explain it until much later. It would become a foundational principle in Scotty’s development and growth.

“In that truck that day, Drew helped me learn and recite four of the Sacred Six. Every time they rolled off my tongue, I felt a little more empowered. At Shark’s AC Repair Service we start every morning meeting reciting the Sacred Six.”

“Cute,” Paul said, unimpressed. “If Drew was there at our practices, I wonder if he ever saw how fast I could do the butterfly?” Paul asked. Scotty recognized this behavior in Paul, his habit of always turning the attention back on himself. But Scotty knew that this time it was because he was uncomfortable and dazed and so he reverted to his narcissistic instincts.

Scotty stayed focused because he knew he had Paul’s full attention, so he sat back down on the damp boat seats and continued once Paul gave him permission.

“Sharks are typically loners, right?” Scotty asked. “They aren’t the ocean’s most social creatures, but this does not mean they live a life of solitude. Some species of sharks work with others when they are hunting. They know they can work together to take down larger prey. They understand the strengths of other sharks and use them to achieve a common goal. A shark doesn’t allow a dolphin or a starfish to help it hunt, but they will allow other sharks. They instinctively know how to identify others with a similar mindset and work ethic,” Scotty said matter-of-factly, thinking about the way Drew had demonstrated this to him.

“Just like you can identify a shark in the water by its telltale markings, like we did, you can identify the sharks in your own life by their character, work ethic, and the way they treat other people,” Scotty continued. “I now know a shark when I see one. It’s not rocket science if you pay attention. Most leaders tell their people what is wrong with them, but not Drew; he influenced us because he always focused on what was right with us.”

Scotty watched Paul’s face for a reaction, but he was hard to read.

“As I drove with Drew that day, I had no idea where we were going literally, but I knew I had already taken a trip spiritually. I was beginning to trust someone for the first time in my life. I learned over time that Drew always knew where we were going, always had a mission and destination in mind—another trait of a shark. But back then, I just could tell he knew where we were going. We pulled into an aquarium downtown. We walked in silence through the parking lot, into the building. He paid for my ticket and I followed him as he quickly made a beeline for the shark exhibit. He pointed to a bench in front of a massive shark tank. I sat. We sat in silence for a while until something came gliding into focus. It was a shark. One by one, more sharks came into view. They swam peacefully, methodically, always aware of their surroundings.

“‘Why do you think they don’t go after each other?’ Drew asked me. ‘They’re predators. They eat meat. They are surrounded by meat that can’t get away. Why isn’t it a bloodbath?’ I remember shrugging but contemplating the question. I could see out of the corner of my eye that he was looking at me, expecting an answer. I told him I wasn’t sure, but he wasn’t going to let me off easy. I remember thinking about it, and then I said ‘Because they’re all the same?’

“Drew looked at me, pleased. ‘Is that a statement or a question?’ he asked. I wasn’t sure. And I wasn’t sure what his point was.”

Scotty looked over at Paul, surprised that Paul was still paying attention.

“‘They rarely attack each other because they’re all the same,’” Scotty said, speaking to Paul with purpose. “‘Sharks recognize and respect other sharks, Scotty.

You don’t attack someone you respect.’”

“They may not all be the same species, but they know that they are all sharks.There is enough room in there for all of them to be sharks without being a threat to each other,” Scotty explained. He waited for a response from Paul, but he just nodded.

Paul pushed Zach playfully on the shoulder. “See, Zach, this is why I tell you: when others perceive you as a threat, you’re in control.” Zach nodded in acknowledgment. Scotty heard Brittany try to muffle a laugh from behind him.

“It’s not about being a threat, though,” Scotty explained, “It’s about being able to identify sharks in your life and not perceiving their success, or their existence, as a threat. We have no room for haters. Sharks can identify other sharks and respect them enough to share the same space without having to kill each other,” Scotty tried to explain.

“So what happened after the aquarium? You go home and hang out with CiCi?” Paul asked, giving a suggestive nod toward Scotty.

“Not quite. Drew wasn’t done with his lessons about the sharks. He pointed out two more things: all the sharks were swimming forward, with direction and purpose. They didn’t zig and zag through the water, and they never went backward. They’re actually not capable of swimming backward; they would drown if they did. As sharks, we must be focused on progress and forward movement. We learn from our mistakes and work hard not to repeat them. You don’t make mistakes twice, because the second time you do it, it’s a choice. Once we learn a lesson we don’t revert to our old ways; we don’t go back to who we used to be. Sharks never, I mean never, swim backward,” Scotty explained. “It was one thing to hear Drew say it in the truck, but when I saw the sharks moving myself, it all began to make sense. Everything he said in that truck, I saw at the aquarium.

“Another thing he taught me that was fascinating is that sharks are made of cartilage. All cartilage. Like this flabby part of your ear or the tip of your nose. Most other fish have skeletons made of bone. The fact that sharks are made of cartilage makes them flexible and adaptable. This is one of the most important aspects of a shark; they are flexible and can easy adapt to their surroundings,” Scotty explained. Paul nodded and subtly tugged at the cartilage on his ear. “Some sharks can survive in both salt and freshwater. Cartilage is lighter than bone, so sharks can change direction swiftly and efficiently, unlike people or fish. Sometimes making a fast change or any change at all is the most difficult thing for people to do. Deep, huh?” Scotty asked. Paul looked blank but Scotty knew something was happening and trusted his instinct.

“So after our lessons were over, we left. We left the aquarium and Drew brought me home. Told me to expect him the next day, same time. Sure enough, this guy shows up at my door at 8 a.m. the next day. I hopped in his truck and what do you know, we’re back at the aquarium. We walk through the parking lot, he pays for my ticket, we make a beeline for the shark exhibit. He points to the bench. I sit. This time, we don’t have to wait. The sharks are circling and swimming in front of us, graceful yet terrifying at the same time. We were quiet for a while, just watching. Then Drew asked me what I noticed,” Scotty said, thinking about the dark aquarium, the hard wooden bench, and the faint smell of fish.

“I shrugged again, of course, not wanting to give him the wrong answer. What did I notice? I remember thinking to myself. That we are sitting in front of a tank full of sharks. Again. But I didn’t say it. I stayed quiet, hoping he’d offer up the answer. No luck. So I watched. I looked for markings on the sharks that would help me tell them apart, but they all looked pretty much the same. I looked for anything new in the tank that had been added since the day before. It was all the same. There was nothing extraordinary. They were just sharks. Drew’s silent expectation for an answer started to bug me. I wasn’t crazy about playing games with a guy I barely knew.

“‘They’re slow,’ I said, aggravated. ‘They’re just swimming around. They’re slow. What am I supposed to be looking for?’ I asked, this time a little louder. I was over it. I was bored and frustrated and not understanding the point. Drew did a little half-nod.

“‘Okay. They’re swimming slowly. What else?’ he asked me with a smile. I remember wanting to scream. What else?! There is literally nothing else to look at! I thought for sure this guy was nuts.

“‘They’re just swimming and swimming. That’s it! They just keep swimming,’ I said and threw my hands up. I wanted to get out of there. The curve of the thick glass and the dim lighting was giving me a headache. And his games weren’t helping, either.

“‘Aha!’ he said, with a pointed finger in the air.

“‘Aha what?’ I asked, annoyed.

“‘They never stop their movement. They never stop! Ever. You know why?’

“‘Because they’re sharks?’ I replied sarcastically.

“‘Because if they stop, they will die,’ Drew explained. ‘Most species, anyway. They need to keep moving to keep the water flowing through the gills, which allows them to breathe. Their constant movement, their relentless spirit, is a matter of life or death. Sharks never stop swimming,’ Drew said with excitement.

“Their movement gives them life,” Scotty explained to Paul. “How many people do you know who are stagnant after a mistake or just stagnant people period? You can overcome any mistake if you don’t quit. Successful people aren’t perfect and they make mistakes, but they keep moving and outwork everyone, too. You can overwhelm a mistake with hard work.

“Drew constantly reinforced the Sacred Six. In fact, he would always say, ‘Smart companies are training-and- development companies masquerading in their core business.’ Shark’s AC Repair Service is nothing more than a training-and-development company. That is why we are successful— we grow our people. Sharks can grow a foot a year, so we as people should, too. Every time Drew taught us a lesson, he made us repeat it out loud, and he would always reinforce it. It was annoying at first, but his lessons were like a seed that first grew in your head but didn’t take root until it grew in your heart.”

Paul added bait to his line and cast it out into the water. The two watched the bobber dance on the water before becoming still.

Paul turned to Scotty. “That’s why Junie was such a pain, Scotty! I was always working, traveling, doing stuff, never home, never quitting. I was out there trying to be a shark and she was always holding me back. Talking about priorities and downtime and all that mess. I’m trying to ‘never stop moving,’ and she’s over here crying because I never quit!” Paul moaned, trying desperately to relate to the story.

This is going to be harder than I thought, Scotty thought. It seemed like Paul was trying hard to see himself in each of the stories as a shark, but it wasn’t quite connecting. What surprised Scotty the most was Paul’s ability to listen to a story from another person for this length of time, so he gave him credit for that. The Sacred Six is a movement. I’ll get him … I hope. If I can crack this nut and teach Paul how to SWIM, Drew will be proud. Paul has some issues but he doesn’t even know it. Scotty thought to himself, This guy is a piece of work.

“Never stop moving means constantly seeking balance and progress in all areas of your life and not stopping until you reach your goals. It’s not moving forward with your own agenda while leaving everyone else in your life to fend for themselves. Never stop moving means waking up every day determined to progress further than the day before, even if you’re worn out or tired or the current is too strong. Sharks never stop their movement. The constant forward movement literally gives sharks life. And when you’re a shark, you need progress and growth to feel alive. If your life isn’t growing and improving, something is wrong. You need to go back and check yourself against the Sacred Six.”

Paul nodded, his attention on the bobber in the water. I’m losing him, Scotty thought, he’s over it. Scotty gave Paul credit for listening this long and turned toward the back of the boat to check on Brittany. I probably gave him too much, it’s like drinking from a fire hose, Scotty thought.

“So did he take you back to the aquarium again? Y’all should have bought an annual pass at this point,” Paul joked, still watching the water. Surprised that Paul wanted to hear more, Scotty sat back down. What is the next one? Scotty thought to himself, quickly running through the Sacred Six in his head. Scotty now knew he had a big fish on the line. Could he reel him in, catch, and release Paul into the SWIM movement? Scotty knew one thing: Drew had taught him how to be a fisher of people.

“My education on sharks was just beginning, and about to get a lot more intense. Drew dropped me off at home, and told me to expect him even earlier the next day. The next day, this guy came knocking, and I jumped into his truck half asleep. We bypassed the exit for the aquarium and I noticed we were heading toward the coast. We parked in a parking lot overlooking the water. My heart started racing when I saw shark-shaped wooden signs that read Wacky Wally’s Shark Feeding Tours.

“We walked down the boardwalk lined with little fishing boats and expensive yachts. I stopped when Drew stopped; we were in front of an older fishing boat with the words Wacky Wally painted on the side.

“A big scruffy black guy with his two front teeth missing came up out of nowhere and greeted Drew with a big bear hug and a ‘What’s up, bro?’ Unfortunately for me, Drew’s VIP status and personal connection with Wally meant we jumped directly onto a boat and were headed out toward the ocean before I could say ‘Wacky Wally.’

“Our guide explained that their success rates for seeing sharks was about ninety percent, and showed us the big bucket of smelly chum he’d be using to bring the sharks right to the boat. Sure enough, Wacky Wally throws the dead fish off the side and here they come, their powerful bodies slicing through the water—first one, then two and three and four. I was mesmerized, but Drew brought me back to the present.

“‘What do you notice?’ he asked, his famous opening line. Drew was always asking questions.

“‘They’re hungry,’ I said, as a statement this time instead of a question.

“‘Right. Were these sharks right by the boat before we threw in the chum?’ Drew asked me.

“‘Not right by the boat. But they were out there,’ I said, more confident this time.

“‘Right. It’s not like they just happened to be swimming by the second we dumped in the fish and just happened upon a free lunch. They were out there, planning, looking, searching. Sharks can smell a drop of blood in the ocean and they were out there …

“‘Hunting,’ I finished for him. Drew nodded. He explained that sharks were always looking for their next food source, their next kill. Sharks are curious and are always learning. They didn’t get what they wanted by chance. They went after it. They were hyperfocused on their surroundings so that at the first smell of blood in the water, the first opportunity, they were tuned in. They didn’t depend on the leftovers of others, or for another shark to bring them food. They knew that if they wanted it, they’d have to go get it.”

Scotty explained that the real lesson was that even though they smelled blood in the water, they surveyed the environment and were curious before they attacked.

“Drew told me that sharks respect the ocean and the ocean respects them. They don’t kill any- and everything; they are curious and investigate everything before they strike. ‘Sharks aren’t pigs, Scotty,’ I remember Drew saying as we watched the sharks together, ‘but they are decisive.’ It was another pivotal moment for me, a moment that challenged me and caused me to rethink a lot of things about myself.

“Ya know, the biggest misconception is that sharks attack anything that swims by. In fact, sharks hate the way people taste. The way a shark investigates and learns is to smell, bump up against things, or to put something in their mouth. That’s why people get shark bites; but death by shark is rare.” Scotty noticed that Zach was tuned in, listening carefully. Brittany had heard this story a million times, it got her goat every time, but even she was paying attention. Scotty looked down at the shark tattoo on his calf and smiled.

“If you are brave enough, you can even swim with sharks. You see it on TV all the time. Shark experts will tell you, when sharks bite a human it’s because they see this strange creature flailing in the water and they bite it just to see what it is because they are curious by nature, but they normally spit it right out—because we taste nasty to them. I’ve even heard crazy stories about experienced ocean swimmers punching sharks in the face and the shark leaving them alone out of respect.”

Paul raised his eyebrows and Scotty was almost certain he was picturing him punching a shark in the eye and knocking it out in the water.

“After our shark feeding adventure, we went back to the shore. ‘You taking your new friend in the cage?’ Wally asked, smiling and shaking Drew’s hand as we stepped off the boat. Drew winked at Wally and then at me. The cage? I thought in horror. What is the cage? I screamed inside. We headed back to the car. I asked him about the cage and he just smirked and said, ‘You’ll see.’ The whole drive home I was on edge, and practically ran into the house as he pulled into the driveway. Drew rolled down the window and called out to me, ‘Tomorrow’s a big day. So much more to learn,’ and winked as he drove off. I wanted to puke.

“When he picked me up the next morning, he threw a pair of faded swim trunks at me and smiled without looking at me. I hated how much he was enjoying this. We bypassed the exit for the aquarium and headed back to Wacky Wally’s. But as we parked and walked down the dock, we simply waved to Wally and walked by him. Wally gave Drew a knowing smirk and I wanted to push both of them into the water. We followed the boardwalk to the very end until we stopped under another shark-shaped wooden sign.” Scotty took a breath.

“Where’d ya go?” Zach asked, scooting closer to Scotty.

“The sign said Crazy Carl’s Shark Diving Expeditions,” Scotty said calmly, feeling nervous all over again.

“No way!” Paul shouted, playfully shoving Scotty.

“Yep. Shark diving. The boat was huge and there was—”

“Bigger than this?” Paul asked.

“Yeah, much,” Scotty said, with a little satisfaction. Paul looked disappointed.

“It was impossible to miss the giant steel cage toward the rear of the boat, and I looked around for a place to run. Of course, Drew’s VIP status meant that we were whirled through trainings and equipment fittings and signing waivers. We were headed back out onto the water before I even knew what hit me. Crazy Carl gave us his spiel, explaining how we would get into the cage, how it would be lowered, and what we could expect to see. I was about to pee my pants. Once we got to our spot, Drew just jumped right into the cage as it was lowered into the water, and I stood on the edge of the boat. This defies human nature, I thought. People aren’t meant to intentionally dive into water to be eaten by sharks, I thought. Drew’s head was popping out of the water, and Crazy Carl was getting impatient. So I jumped.”

“You jumped into a cage surrounded by sharks?” Paul exclaimed, clearly impressed. Scotty nodded.

“I felt so heavy with all of my equipment on. I felt weighed down and awkward. And I was terrified. Beyond terrified. But I … ”

“Jumped anyway,” Brittany finished.

“I jumped anyway,” Scotty smiled. “And out of everything I learned with Drew, that moment was probably the most defining. I was out of my element, uncomfortable, scared, weighed down, and unsure of what to expect. But I jumped anyway. I sank down into the cage. Thankfully this excursion didn’t require us to stay submerged. We were bobbing on the surface of the water, our bodies protected by the cage. We could put our heads underwater and look around. But still. Terrifying.

“It was silent, but so beautifully blue. I had no idea that all of that beauty was literally one step out of my comfort zone. All of that beauty was just on the other side of my fear. The blueness went on for as far as I could see. I couldn’t see the bottom, and other than a few small fish and seaweed floating around, it was like a blank canvas. I looked around and saw plenty of fish but I didn’t see any sharks, and was temporarily relieved, but a little disappointed. I came back up for air and Drew gave me a thumbs-up.

“Drew stuck the snorkel in his mouth and put his face in the water. I did the same. We waited in stillness, until Drew started to point at something. All of a sudden three huge sharks came gliding toward us. I could hear the theme music from Jaws ringing in my ears. I also remember thinking, Can’t sharks sense fear? If I could hear my heart beating in my ears, then they could, too. I instinctively grabbed Drew’s arm and shot my head out of the water. But then I realized that not seeing was worse than seeing, so I put my head back in. I let go of Drew’s arm and held on to the cage. I could not believe these giant creatures were a mere foot from me.”

“Did you crap your swim trunks?” Paul interrupted, looking like a deer in headlights.

“Not quite, but I was more scared than I had ever been in my entire life. But as time went by, I became a little more confident. Crazy Carl must have thrown some fish into the water because the sharks raced toward the floating debris, their razor-sharp teeth just inches from my face. After circling a bit, they ripped into that fish like nobody’s business. They attacked with a purpose. And it was like there was a hierarchy between them that only they understood. They didn’t take the bait timidly. They went for what they wanted with power and purpose. They were confident in their ability and didn’t second-guess themselves once they had investigated. They swam by us a few times but never really seemed aggressive toward us in the cage. It’s like they knew the deal; you could tell they were smart but also gentle in a way. After a while, I almost felt like I could pet one once it was done eating. It seemed really calm before and after it fed.

“It’s like they were ‘hangry.’ I can get hangry, too,” Scotty joked. “I noticed that the sharks were oblivious to what was beneath them. They focused on what was in front of and above them. That was the coolest part. Sharks only look up; they never look down. Always stay positive! It’s one thing to see them in the aquarium, but to see them up close and in the wild was something else.”

“I still can’t believe you swam with sharks,” Paul exclaimed. “We gotta do that, Zach. Ask the Google thing where we can go cage diving. I gotta try this,” he said, throwing his phone at Zach.

“So they’re always moving, they never go backward, they always look up and never look down, they are curious, they are respectful, they are flexible … I get it! What else did good ol’ Drew teach you about sharks?” Paul asked.

Scotty raised his eyebrows in surprise. He’s really listening to all of this! Scotty thought to himself.

“Why are sharks impact players?” Scotty asked out loud, thinking back on the way Drew broke down the Sacred Six and how they each played a vital role in how we should operate. Scotty suddenly had an idea. He began to rummage through the cabinets and hidden spaces throughout the boat.

“What are you looking for?” Paul asked. Scotty didn’t answer. He was on a mission to reinforce the message, just like Drew had been. As he opened up drawers and looked in beach bags, he found what he was looking for. He came back to the front of the boat and showed Paul what he had found.

“A bandana?” Paul asked, confused.

Scotty smiled and suddenly understood why Drew found so much pleasure in teaching these lessons. Scotty stepped behind Paul and put the bandana around Paul’s eyes.

“Woah woah, Scotty boy. You’re not gonna feed me to the sharks, are you?” Paul laughed nervously.

Scotty quietly backed away from Paul and motioned for Zach to follow him toward the back of the boat, where Brittany was sitting. They both moved quietly and sat down next to Brittany. Paul wrung his hands in nervousness.

“Where am I?” Scotty asked. Paul whirled around toward Scotty’s voice.

“What is this?” Paul asked, starting to fumble with his bandana.

“Hey, hey, hey! Leave it on. Now, where is Zach?” Scotty asked as he gently pushed Zach to move into the captain’s chair.

“Hello?” Zach asked, quietly. Paul shifted his body toward Zach’s voice.

“You can’t see us, right? But you know where we are. How?” Scotty asked.

“I can hear you, you son of a …”

“Right. Your sense of hearing is on overdrive because your sense of sight is compromised. What else do you hear?” Scotty asked. It was quiet for a while. Paul began to list off the things he could hear, some of which Scotty had to pay extra-close attention to to hear. The waves lapping up on the side of the boat, the way the keys jingled in the boat ignition. Birds. A siren back onshore.

“Can I take this off now?” Paul asked, pulling the bandana off his eyes and squinting in the sun. Scotty smiled.

“Sharks know where to hunt because they have been specifically designed with senses that help them not only survive, but thrive. A shark has a keen sense of hearing, and their sense of smell is impeccable. Put a drop of blood in twenty-five gallons of water and the shark will be able to pinpoint it. They have been given everything they need to be successful, they just need to use what they have,” Scotty explained, taking the bandana from Paul.

“Drew taught it to me this way. He took me about as far away from the sharks as possible to learn one of the most important lessons about them. Didn’t make sense then, but makes sense now. When I was at my lowest moment, I focused on what I didn’t have in life; I didn’t understand that I was already fully equipped to be very successful in life. I was always looking down. Sometimes you have to step away from a problem or situation to see it for what it really is. Drew let me sit on our previous lessons for a while, but a few days later he was back in the driveway. But this time, he wasn’t alone. There, in the front seat, in all of her freckled glory, was CiCi. I was immediately aware of my scruffy face and couldn’t remember if I had even brushed my teeth, and wished I had sprayed on some cologne. I opened the back door of the truck and scooted in. Man, was I happy to see Cici; seeing her was such a pleasant surprise. It’s like I had finally focused on something other than my pain and poor circumstances. What you dwell on, you dwell in, you know what I mean?” Scotty asked, trying to read Paul’s face.

“So as I get buckled in, Drew says, ‘You’re not going to say hello?’ And my face got red.

“‘Hey, CiCi,’ I remember saying timidly, admiring the way her curls fell down her back. Which led my eyes to her tank top and her shoulders and … ” Scotty trailed off.

“Okay, Dad. We get it,” Brittany said, smiling.

“So we drove, and nobody said anything. Her hair smelled good, like she had just taken a shower. Anyway, we were headed away from the coast. The road became narrower and I noticed that we were headed into the woods. The canopy of the trees blocked most of the sunlight, making it noticeably darker and cooler than the coast. We drove down narrow, winding roads that gradually took us deeper and deeper into the woods.

“We drove for what felt like an hour, but who knows how long it was? I just stared at the back of Cici’s head. My stomach eventually started rumbling and I was anxious to get where we were going. I realized that I wasn’t scared or nervous. By this time, I almost totally trusted Drew; I knew he knew what he was doing and was trying to teach me something. Then, out of nowhere, Drew slammed on the breaks. I looked around to see if he was trying to keep from hitting an animal, but we were alone. Drew put the truck in park, got out, and came around to my side. He opened the back door and pulled me out. He shoved a tan canvas bag into my chest and said, ‘It’ll be getting dark soon. The bears’ll be hungry. You have everything you need to be successful. You just have to use what you have,’ and winked. I started to ask questions, but Drew ran around the side of the truck, jumped in, and peeled out.”

“He left you in the middle of the woods?” Zach exclaimed, scooting closer.

“Sure did. I chased after the truck but he was off. I watched the taillights fade in the distance and noticed that a tiny arm was stuck out the passenger side window. Waving.” Scotty laughed. “I stood there, confused. I remember thinking, This is what I get for trusting someone. They all turn out crazy. And now crazy and his beautiful daughter have left me out here to be bear food. I hoped that Cici wasn’t as crazy as her dear ol’ dad, and that hopefully this wasn’t her idea of flirting.

“So, I instantly quieted my mind and I dumped the bag out at my feet. There was a flashlight, a compass, a bottle of water, a brass skeleton key, and a shark tooth. I looked at each item carefully. I packed everything up and ran down the path where the car had gone. I didn’t know where I was going, but I knew how to take the first step. So I did.”

“I can’t believe he just up and left you out there in the woods like that,” Paul said, surprised. Scotty smiled, thinking back to how every element of Drew’s lessons was intentional and deliberate. Everything he did had a purpose and a plan. But this was a big one, because he had never left Scotty alone as a part of his teachings.

Scotty recounted how he walked for what felt like hours. He actually went back and measured the distance a few years later, and it was 2.3 miles from where Drew dropped him off to where he had to make his first decision. Scotty stopped at an intersection. Two wooden signs pointed in opposite directions; one had the word fear etched into it and the other read familiar. He took out the compass, looking for clues on which way to go. It wasn’t much help, so he put it back. It was getting dark, so he pulled out the flashlight and switched it on. He noticed something written on the handle of the flashlight. It was faded and hard to read, but Scotty figured out that it said, “Facing the fear is faster.”

“‘Facing the fear is faster’? What’s that supposed to mean?” Paul asked. Scotty shrugged playfully.

“So I shined the light on the sign that said fear, and then on familiar, and then back to fear. Facing the fear is faster? I remember thinking. Faster than what? I knew I didn’t have much more time to wait, so I made a decision and headed in the direction that fear was pointing toward. I quickly noticed a chill in the air and that I was depending more and more on my flashlight to see the steps ahead of me. I picked up my pace after I heard the bushes next to me rattle in the darkness. I began to take a mental inventory of what I had in my bag, mainly just to keep my mind busy. Then, I heard something. Frogs? Lots of frogs croaking—it was almost deafening. Frogs mean water, I thought as I ran toward the sound, unsure of what I was about to see. As I rounded a corner, the sound of the frog symphony became louder and a river came into focus. I stopped at the bank and shined my light across. I could see the other side, but it was at least 50 yards away. I shined my light to the left, then to the right, then back to the left. As the light swiped the river, something caught my eye. On the bank of the river, about 20 feet from me, was a structure. A small wooden shack, like an outhouse. I walked toward it, my heart racing. I noticed a wooden door and tried to open it, but of course … ”

“Use the key!” Zach said, sitting on the edge of his seat.

“It was locked. So I dropped my bag and tried to rummage through it while holding the flashlight in my teeth, careful not to let it fall into the water. I dug through the bag and found the key. I grabbed it and pulled it out of the bag. I didn’t notice my hands were shaking until I was trying to put the key into the lock. The key clicked, the door unlocked, and I opened the door and shined my light inside. A canoe. A single, rickety, questionable, old canoe with one oar. I stepped into the shack and pulled out the heavy boat and let it thud onto the bank. I closed the door to the shack, put the key back in the bag, and pushed the boat into the water. I jumped in, doing my best to keep my shoes and socks from getting wet. I used the oar to direct the boat through the calm water, suddenly aware of a slight current. I put the oar deep into the water until it hit the ground, and used the leverage of the sandy river bottom to help me navigate toward the opposite side. By the time I got to the other side, my arms were sore and the flashing light of my flashlight let me know that the batteries were dying.

“I pulled the boat up onto the shore and climbed on all fours up the riverbank. When I reached the top, I was in a large clearing, like a field. I was suddenly thankful for the water and chugged the entire bottle. I looked through the clearing and squinted my eyes at what looked like a pencil-thin line of smoke rising in the distance. I pulled the compass out again. I wasn’t sure which way I was supposed to go, but I noticed something sketched into the back of the compass. It was a picture of a small farmhouse, with a chimney. And smoke rising from the chimney. There wasn’t much detail and it was hard to see, but under the farmhouse it looked like someone had etched in a series of letters. It was too dark to see at this point, and my flashlight was fading. I rubbed my fingers over the letters and closed my eyes. I traced each letter, allowing the feeling from my fingers to send a message to my brain. I traced and retraced until something clicked. It was the letter G. Then an O. Then a W. I kept tracing and was pretty sure I felt an S. And then a T.”

“G-o-w-s-t?” Paul asked, confused.

“Right. It didn’t make sense to me either. But I kept tracing then I felt something I had missed. An E. G-O-W-E-S-T. Go west! I literally jumped up and down when I figured it out. I turned the compass around until I was facing west. When the compass needle settled, I was facing the smoke. So I ran as fast as I could through the clearing toward the smoke. As I got closer I could smell firewood burning, and then the farmhouse, with the smoking chimney, came into focus. I hooted and hollered and ran through the darkness toward the dimly lit front porch. There, on the porch, was Drew rocking in a rocking chair, with CiCi rocking next to him. I wasn’t even worried about looking cool in front of her at this point and could have cared less about how I smelled or if I had in fact brushed my teeth. I launched myself toward the front porch and collapsed on the steps. Drew reached down to help me up and handed me a steaming cup of hot chocolate.

“I was feeling a little iffy and at this point I didn’t know for sure if Drew and Cici were deranged or crazy or weird. For a moment the feelings of insecurity and abandonment from the days my parents would leave me alone crept up, but I thought about where I was and who I was with and pressed the feelings down. Drew was quiet for a second, sensing my anxiety, and then said, ‘Sharks are impact players in the ocean because they have everything they need to be successful. They rely on their instincts and their senses to be successful. You had everything you needed, and you made the choice to use them.’

“‘Choice?!’ I remember yelling, spilling some hot chocolate on my pants. ‘I didn’t have a choice! You left me out there to die! What was I supposed to do? Lay down and let the bears get me?’ I said, shouting this time. Drew wasn’t fazed by my outburst. It was almost a flashback of the many times I got into it with my dad. I thought Drew was different, but it felt so familiar. I had thought this guy was different, but I had this sinking feeling that yet again, I had trusted someone who just wanted to play games. Almost ready to lose it, I suddenly realized CiCi was watching me, and I caught myself from my own rage. She smiled at me, and I became instantly embarrassed and sat down. She said, ‘I am proud of you, Scotty. You did great!’ and slowly I calmed down.

“I just sat down and took it all in; my fear had paralyzed me so much that I didn’t realize that I had done something amazing. Her smile brought me joy and comfort all at the same time. I replied those five words over and over in my head: I am proud of you. I had never heard anyone say those words to me in my life. My emotions were all over the place, but I snapped back to reality as Drew started saying again that sharks are impact players because they have excellent senses, with a killer instinct that has helped them hold on to their spot as the ocean’s top predator. I was thankful that Drew changed the vibe, because I was terrified that I might cry. With my dad, he was always a yeller, and he never showed compassion or love for anything or anybody. He thought the sight of a man crying was disgusting and weak. He always told me as a little boy to stop crying and toughen up. Just thinking of him made me mad, so I focused on CiCi’s freckles.

“Drew sipped his hot chocolate. ‘Scotty, you are growing, my man; soon you will learn the final sacred truth of the Sacred Six. So let us review. How did you know where to go?’ Drew asked me, eager to hear my story. This was typical of Drew, always staying focused on the reinforcements, always making sure that those he was training and developing were understanding the lessons and information presented to them. So I thought back to where my adventure began and said, ‘I went in the direction of your car.’

“‘How’d you know to do that?’ Drew asked, taking another sip.

“I shrugged. ‘It just made sense. To get where you were I had to follow you.’

“‘And then what?’ Drew asked.

“‘I walked until I got to the intersection. It said, Fear is faster?’ I said, more as a question than a statement.

“‘Facing your fear is faster. If you had turned toward familiar, you wouldn’t be here yet. There’s a bridge and a lighted path that way, but it’s much longer. The fear path is much faster but has some obstacles. In life, you get somewhere much faster if you feel the fear and take action anyway. Facing the fear is always a faster way to get where you’re trying to go than sticking with what is familiar. Then what’d you do?’ Drew asked.

“That was a lot to take in, and it took me a second to process. ‘Then I got to the river … ’

“‘How’d you get there?’ Drew asked.

“‘I heard the frogs.’

“‘So your senses were heightened because you were in a serious situation. You’ve probably heard those frogs a million times and didn’t even notice the sound. You trusted your senses. Then what?’

“‘I got to the little shack and used the key to open its door. Got the boat, made it across. Found the message on the back of the compass. By touch. I couldn’t see it, but I felt it,’ I said, as it was all starting to make sense.

“‘And I smelled the smoke. And I saw the tiny smoke line in the distance. More senses,’ I realized. Drew rocked and smiled.

“‘Sharks follow their intuition. They have everything they need. You had everything you needed. You did it,’ Drew said, rocking slowly in the chair. ‘Here is the lesson, son.’

“Son? He called me son? I thought. There was no holding back the tears at this point. I pretended to mess with my shoelaces to avoid eye contact and carefully wipe the tears away. ‘Why is a shark called a shark and not another fish? What makes them different?’ Drew asked. I was stumped.

“‘Sharks are made of cartilage, remember? They don’t have a bone in their body—which means, sharks are flexible. Sharks can adapt and change based on each situation. Some sharks can even operate in freshwater and saltwater. Always be flexible, son. When something isn’t working, change. Fish hate change because their bones make them rigid. Sharks are impact players in the ocean because they are flexible. And that’s number five. Sharks are flexible. I see the change in you daily. I’m proud of how far you have come in so little time. You are a special kid. I talk about you all the time.’ I shot a glance over at CiCi, who smiled and nodded in agreement.

“Drew stood up and held the screen door open, motioning for CiCi and me to come inside. I took a long, hot shower and got myself back together. Drew made hot dogs and mac and cheese and we sat out on the porch and ate, as I told them more about my adventure. As I retold the story, I realized that as a shark, I could be in total control. I could change my future and my past wouldn’t define me. Just as I thought that the day couldn’t get any better, I became aware of CiCi’s focus on me. She kept looking at me. I tried to stay focused on my story, but there was a moment where I looked at her and we locked eyes and I lost all train of thought. I was blubbering and stuttering, and I know I looked like a fool. I’ll never forget her shy little smile and the way she wouldn’t break eye contact. It was at that moment that I knew she was it for me. I stared right back. At that point, I didn’t even care anymore. That was maybe the greatest day of my life. I was happy—I mean really happy. The inner peace I felt for the first time in my life felt so good and right.

“Drew took our little moment as a sign that it was time to go, so we got cleaned up and packed up our stuff. As we were loading the truck, Drew asked a question: ‘Scotty, as you look back on your day, why you would say you were successful in today’s challenge?

As a shark in training, it is important to always be open to self-reflection and self-analysis so you can work on your strengths and weaknesses.’

“I felt the blood rush to my face. I didn’t mind these intellectual lessons when we were alone, but having CiCi there made me feel nervous and intimidated. I took a deep breath and said, ‘Number one, I never stopped moving forward. Number two, I was always curious and thinking. Number three, I was flexible and in the moment. Number four, I stayed positive and focused on what I could do and what I knew instead of what I didn’t.’

“‘Very good. That is—” Drew started, but I interrupted him.

“‘Number five. I trust and respect you, Drew, and I knew that this was all for my benefit. I saw it as an opportunity to be more like you, which pushed me to keep going,’ I said, closing the liftgate on the truck. Out of the corner of my eye I could see him looking at me, but I kept my focus on my dirty tennis shoes and pushed stones around with my feet.

“It was quiet for a second, and when I finally looked up and locked eyes with Drew, he said, ‘I am sure today wasn’t easy for you, son. But I am so proud of you and excited for your future.’ We smiled at each other, and I went around the truck and to the rear door.

“‘Sit up here with us?’ CiCi said as I opened the back door of the truck. She said it like a question, but the way she looked at me when she said it told me that it wasn’t a question. I shot a look at Drew, who shrugged and put the key in the ignition. I shut the back door and CiCi scooted over toward her dad. I jumped in next to her, careful not to touch her. I sat like a statue, eyes facing front, both overjoyed and terrified at the same time. Drew turned on the radio, and tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as “Dancing on the Ceiling” played. We drove through the dark woods in silence, other than the sound of the radio. We stopped at a little gas station in the middle of nowhere and Drew went inside to pay. As soon as he was inside, I felt something brush up against my hand. I kept my eyes facing forward, unsure of what was happening. Then I felt it again, this time more intentional. I looked down and CiCi, also looking straight ahead, was inching her pinky finger toward mine. I moved my finger ever so slowly toward hers, and she linked her pinky finger with mine. I looked over at her and smiled, and she blushed. We rode like that the rest of the way. As we drove into darkness, I began to understand the magnitude of the day. I had not only found my way through the woods with very basic supplies, but I also knew five of the Sacred Six, and I was pretty confident that CiCi was officially my girl. I felt like a new man.”

“Ooohh la la,” joked Paul, making kissing sounds. Zach put some bait on the line and sent it reeling out into the water.

“When we got to my house, Drew put the truck in park, which he had never done before. He got out and came around and opened my door. He shut the door and we walked toward my front door in silence. He handed me the canvas bag and told me to keep it. Then he asked me what I was doing the next day. I shrugged, a little disappointed that he didn’t have plans for me.

“‘I have a position open at my shop, and it’s yours if you want it. Pays well, flexible schedule. I’ll teach you everything you need to know,’ he said, putting his hand on my shoulder. I remember thinking he had already taught me so much. ‘Think about it,’ he said. ‘I think you’d do great.’ I went inside and went straight to bed, thinking about the way CiCi’s hair smelled and kicking myself for not being the one who made the first pinky move. I replayed the entire day over and over, but always spent extra time thinking about the way she looked at me on the porch and the way she held my hand. Is she my girl? What is the process for this? Are we a couple? Maybe it was an accident. Maybe I’m making it all up, I fell asleep thinking, and smiling. I had never been this happy in my life. All my life I had wanted to know what real love was, what support was, what it meant to have a family and a father who taught you about life and mentored you and just loved you. I felt like I had gotten all of it in one day.”

Scotty looked around the boat. Everyone was fully invested in this story, and the space in between Paul’s interruptions let Scotty know that he was really listening and processing all of the information. He knew that he had taken control of the boat. But suddenly, Paul, as uncomfortable and confused as he could be, reached into the cooler and opened a beer. The crisp pop of the bottle cap stopped Scotty in his tracks. He was 13 years sober. Thirteen years, five months, and two days, to be exact, but the sound of the bottle opening brought him right back to his days before Drew, before Shark’s, before CiCi and Brittany. The moment was intense, even though nobody said a word. A few moments passed, and Scotty was able to shake his feelings off and continue with his story. He knew that this was his boat now. He was the captain and in his mind he could hear his wife Cici cheering.

“So I was up bright and early the next day and rode my bike to Shark’s. The look on Drew’s face when I pulled up was one of relief and pride. He welcomed me into the shop, threw a white polo with a shark emblem on the breast pocket at me, and walked me into his office. The same office I’m in now, actually.

“‘Are you a shark?’ he asked me.

“‘Yes!’ I said enthusiastically.

“‘Wrong,’ he said, as if he had known that I was going to say yes.

“‘Wrong? What are you talking about? I did all the things, I went in a freakin’ shark cage. You left me in the woods!’ I shrieked.

“‘I told you from day one I see one when I look at you. But you’re not there yet. You have to keep working until you master the mindset of a shark and operate like one naturally, every day. You have to put the things you’ve learned into practice. It doesn’t happen overnight. Now you know what you need to do, and I’m here to help you get there. But you have to trust me and listen to me and follow my lead. When you are a shark, you don’t just swim, you SWIM,” he said.

“He flipped to a blank sheet of paper in his notepad and pulled a pen from his shirt pocket. Drew kept teaching lessons because he understood how hard it was to really change. He had a habit of repeating himself and reinforcing his teachings. ‘Once you master the Sacred Six and live them, that’s when you SWIM, son,’ he said, writing the phrase on the paper:

“When you are a shark, you don’t just swim, you SWIM!

“He wrote the last word in all capital letters, underlined and circled it, making it very clear again that the way sharks swim is very different than the way fish swim. ‘Oh, okay, I think I get it,’ I said, looking from the paper up to Drew. ‘Sharks are impact players in the ocean because they execute the Sacred Six naturally,’ Drew explained. ‘Once they become natural for you, you will SWIM, too.’ This wouldn’t be the last time Drew used the term SWIM to mean something far deeper than just cruising through the water. There would be many times during the three years that I worked for him that’d he remind me of what it meant to be a shark. The Sacred Six was more than just words to us at Shark’s AC Repair Service; it was a way of life that we took very seriously—all of us, but nobody more than Drew. He was the head shark and to watch him operate was awesome,” Scotty said, thinking back on the memory with fondness.

“Sacred Six, SWIM, well ain’t that a couple of cute little slogans. Guess it makes more sense when you see it on paper, huh?” Paul asked. Scotty was a little disappointed that the catchphrase didn’t impact Paul the same way it had impacted him, but then again he wasn’t surprised.

“So let me see if I got them all,” Paul said, taking a deep breath. He tapped each one of his fingers as he listed each lesson.

“Sharks never stop moving forward,” Paul said confidently.

“If they do, they die,” Scotty added. “They focus on their future and not their past.”

“Sharks always look up and never look down,” Paul continued.

“Sharks are positive; they focus on what’s above them and not what’s beneath them.”

“Sharks always recognize other sharks and respect their environment.”

“They have been given everything they need to be successful, they just need to use what they have.”

Scotty nodded in approval.

“Sharks can identify other sharks and respect them enough without perceiving their success or their mere existence as a threat,” Paul said, feeling more accomplished than he had in a while.

“Finally,” Paul took a deep breath, “Sharks are curious; they are always learning.” Scotty noticed the look of pride on Paul’s face. They are decisive but are aggressive once they are focused on their prey. Sharks are flexible because they are made of cartilage.” Scotty wanted to hug him, but held back. He couldn’t believe that Paul actually remembered the five lessons he had heard so far. “So Scotty, I am curious. What is number six?” Paul asked. “And have you ever had shark fin soup? Not bad,” he winked.

The two took in the moment silently. By the look on Paul’s face, Scotty could tell he was thinking carefully about each lesson and story. Scotty was confident he had connected with Paul in a way like never before.

“Holy cow! I got something! What is that thing?” Zach yelled from the bow of the boat. Everyone rushed over to Zach’s side. Zach was struggling with the fish on the line, so Paul snatched the reel and pulled in the thrashing creature.

“What is that?” Paul asked, pointing to the mysterious creature on the other end of the line.

“That, my friends, is a remora. Also known as a suckerfish,” Scotty said with a smile.

“A sucker what?” Paul asked.

“No. Way,” Brittany said, rushing back to Scotty’s side because she knew what was next.

“A shark and a suckerfish?” she asked, looking directly into Scotty’s eyes with amazement.

“Yeah,” he replied, still astonished.

“What’s the big deal?” Zach asked. “Let me guess, you’ve got a story about the suckerfish, too?”

Brittany knew that God had to be involved. You couldn’t write this script any better.

“Well, guys, before I tell you about number six, you need to know about the suckerfish,” Scotty began.