The crushing feeling lifts as
Mr. Crunch spins
to the bottom
of the lake
Opal’s collar on his neck
I kick towards the wavy sky
thrusting fists through the ice
burst out of the water
gasping great gulps of air
Evie tosses the life preserver
missing my head by an inch
she drags me to the ladder
crushing me in a hug
as we sit like stonesÂ
on the deck
staring over the lake.