Waltz of Her Life

This time she paid attention to the way things sounded, such as Seth's voice when he asked "Are you going to swim this time?" The words rang hollow, booming into her ears as if he had put his lips inches away from her cheekbone when he said them. In the distance she could also hear a faint trickling of water, such as a gentle stream tumbling down over a rock waterfall.

They entered a clearing, and the path angled downward. Linda said "Come on," and tugged on Seth's hand so he would follow her when she ran ahead to discover what was beyond the next bend. She saw a crystal lagoon more beautiful than any other lake or pond she had ever seen before. A thin, white layer of sand separated the lush grasses from the water's edge. The stillness of the water's surface made it seem like a mirror for the blue sky and friendly clouds above. Linda could see green plants and rock outcroppings below the surface of the water, which looked inviting and friendly, tempting them both to jump in.

Linda looked down at herself. She wore a one-piece floral bathing suit and thong sandals, which she kicked off her feet. Seth reached down for the bottom hem of his tank shirt and pulled it over his head. "Last one in is a rotten egg!" he said, and when he tossed his shirt onto the bank, he leaped into the water. It was deep. Even in her lucid state, she knew that this was not the type of thing Seth would say. But it was her dream. When he jumped in he submerged and resurfaced a moment later, tossing his hair back. She could see his legs slowly working under the surface, treading water. "Come on in! It's great!"

She positioned herself on the bank and Seth maneuvered himself a little closer to her.

When she leaped into the water, she expected a shock at first, like the cold water in the pool when they first opened it every year at the end of May. Instead it felt warm, like bath water, caressing her, soothing her. Upon entering the water she'd outstretched both of her arms and opened her legs, like a scissors. Freshman year, in Water Safety class, she'd learned this technique as a way to jump into deep water without sinking.

Seth kicked toward her to take her into his arms and in the warmth of the water they melded together fluidly as he cradled her, lifting her toward him. "I've missed you so much," he said, before leaning in to kiss her. She gave to him, dropping away her fears, her inhibitions, letting the still water away as they kissed deeply.