Lilly’s arms were stiff. There was no abandon to her movement.

Her breaststrokes were slow and she kept looking back. She wanted to be out farther than all the people. She settled in one spot, dog paddling. She stared at the beach, her eyes darting back and forth as she waited. Nothing. Hmmm… She plunged under, spinning her body. Her head surfaced with her nose stinging. Ugh, she thought, I should have plugged my nose. The sun is burning. This isn’t working, not even a little. She continued treading water while her thoughts grew heavier.

She slapped the water and kicked her legs in frustration.

“Why isn’t it happening yet? I’m doing what she did. I’m literally mimicking her moves. Maybe I should just go back.”

She started moving slowly back to the shallow waters. She hesitated. She could almost hear her dad nudging her.

“Lilly, come on, we didn’t raise you to give up on yourself, especially not this quickly.”

With a big breath, she began again, going up and down, splashing water like a child. She paused to float on her back and took a few long breaths. The seagulls above were so beautiful. Then her eyelids closed and her body drifted with the current. At first, there was only blackness. Nothing. Just the quiet of the water and her breath.

As she continued to float, her thoughts began to wander. She found herself thinking about the creatures of the ocean, how she had always found them intriguing, especially dolphins. Her mom and dad had taken her to swim with dolphins when she was a child.

The memories surfaced, more vividly as time passed. Her mouth turned upward, with a hint of familiarity.

A tingle ran up her spine as she began to slip back.

A pod was moving together, smooth and effortless. One popped beside her, inviting her to try a tail walk. She laughed, knowing she was playing.

Lilly began swimming like a dolphin; her head went up and down as she headed back toward the shore. She turned and took one last look out into the water. Waves hit her ankles, and her head leaned back. She closed her eyes again and took deep breaths. She’ll never forget the smile those pretend dolphins gave her that day.

Lilly stepped onto the warm sand, water trailing behind her, a quiet smile still lingering. She brushed the sand from her legs and made her way toward her car. When her car came into view, her pace increased, but each step felt lighter.

The joy lingered as her fingers traced the wheel.

She leaned forward slightly, her fingers still resting on the wheel, her breath catching. She said,

Wait…

This is bigger than the moments of this day. Imagination made it feel real. I can use this when I write.

Maybe the readers can too… with my help.

To be continued.

Tag, you’re it. If you’d like to jump in, feel free. If not, I’ll keep moving it along, bit by bit.

Sending warmth and kindness.