The in-laws

Text:

© Grathy
I am in the water and the waves are calm. But the nimbus clouds are coming out of nowhere once again, clinching their hard fists and pointing their gnarled fingers in my direction.

Normally I swim with the tide, the hands of the waves behind me, pushing me toward the safety of shore. But today there is an undertow, a riptide that I cannot see, trying to drag me under, trying to pull me away.

I am usually a strong swimmer, but the pulse of this water is fierce. It wants to win. She pushes me under. I hold my breath for as long as I can until I surface and scramble for air.

Swiftly I stroke against the angry cobalt waves, rowing toward the sand, finally rising to my feet to catch my breath. I have survived this angry storm.

Tomorrow I will venture into these waters again, even though the tide may take a moody turn, attempting to make me once again, its innocent prisoner.