A Long Swim

A Long Swim (Part 1):

Sunset at Pointe-Du-Chene wharf. Staring into a late August sea. The wharf all but deserted, it’s only patrons the hangers-on of summer. A man walks up and says “Hello”.

“Hello” I replied, a minor chord trailing off on the downbeat.

“How are you?” he asked. Unlike most casual conversations, where the response is seldom heard, his tone begged the question be answered.

Without looking up from the water I replied, “Alright.” And then sighed softly, a sound lost in the evening breeze. “Today was going to be my wedding day. But that was three weeks ago.”

The stranger remained silent, his empathy and eyes fixed.

I continued in the same minor chord, “So now I’m just thinking of going for a swim.”

The stranger shifted a little, opening his mouth to speak, faltering as if to find words. Then he spoke. Quietly. “Make sure you come back.”

Thank you Stranger. Whomever you are.