A shy wind crept from the sea and inched its way along the shore. Grains of sand shivered at the breeze's gentle touch. Sam sat barefoot with his toes buried under the shale and a book in his hand. The dying light of the evening sun darkened the words on the page beyond visibility. It was just as well, he was paying no attention to the paperback. His gaze was set on the crashing waves as he breathed in the salty spray and melted onto the beach. Work had been tolerable today - no, it was better than that but his visiting anxiety gulled him into thinking it was death in a cubicle. Work was enjoyable and the pay was good and life was good despite what that little voice in the dark of his mind whispered.
His cousins laughed and splashed in the waves, beckoning him to join. He could make out their silhouettes against the brilliant orange light on the horizon. He had dipped his toes in the water earlier and found it much too frigid to submerge entirely. But that was then and this was now. He wriggled free of his hoodie and shirt and cautiously stepped into the sea. His brother, ever the helpful one, was there to splash the icy water onto his skin. Goosebumps burst from the flesh of his arm. To avoid a second onslaught, Sam inhaled and dove beneath the surface. The sounds of the world dropped away and were replaced with a gentle dampened churning. It was peaceful down here. He even forgot, for a moment, the heart stopping arctic cold. When he rose, the surface of the ocean broke around his head and the murk was replaced with a blinding light. The sun was nestled in the marine layer, drawing its luminous cirrus across the sky.
The waves continued to roll, carrying one cousin after another closer to shore before ultimately crashing atop them. Elation seemed a natural conclusion for everyone but Sam. Contentment was elusive. He knew that his doldrums would pass and in passing, vaporize like dew in the morning light. But there was knowing and there was knowing. And right now, there was only angst.
He let the buoyant sea lift his legs until he was floating on his back, eyes to the distant edge of the world. From this position with his ears submerged the melody of his surroundings were once again allayed. He drank in the beauty of a sky on fire and it began to quench the darkness. His body rose and fell with each passing swell. He closed his eyes and found peace in the sanguinity of the sea.
Sunset Swim was written by Daniel Weinell and illustrated by Maribel Navarro.
Daniel, You just keep getting better and better.
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