Beulah grumbles, spouting smoke as I push for more speed. I need the ocean. It’s the only thing that can calm me, give me peace. Cool water pulling at my body, surging and pulsing around me. I can almost feel the waves beckoning me; hear the soft murmur of the sea. I press harder on the pedal and Beulah wheezes up the slope.
I pull to a stop in a cloud of dust. White smoke from the tailpipe pollutes the environment. Gramps’ truck is not in sight. He’s probably down at the docks. I hop out and run into the house. In my room, I shed my nerd apparel down to a hot-pink two-piece. I often wear my two pieces under my outfits so when I shuck my clothes, I’m ready to rock and roll.
I leave a note for Gramps affixed to the fridge, let myself out of the house, and trot to the cliff’s edge and dive.
Tension lifts the moment I’m in the water. I watch the glorious play of colors as sunlight glistens on the surface and lightens the water.
Everything’s okay. As long as I can swim, I can survive.
Something smooth and cold nudges my belly. Startled, I pull up my feet and glance down. A dolphin grins at me and chatters. I chatter back. She swims beside me, brushing me gently with her body. I grab her fin and swim alongside, letting her pull me.
We play this game for a while. Two larger dolphins join us and begin to chirp. With a nudge of her nose, the smaller dolphin leaves me to join her parents. I wave at her. She flicks her tail at me.
I exhale and smile. Bubbles roll out of my mouth. She’s just what I needed.
I take a quick swim through the cove, looking around while I dog paddle. I don’t see anyone and head to shore. Water streaming from my body, I stand and wring out my hair. The setting sun warms my shoulders and throws a red glow on the waves.
Scrunching sand between my toes, I head toward the path that leads to our house.
I’m almost to the pathway when he steps out from behind the ancient Douglas fir that grows next to the dirt track.