Through the Muddy Waters

I step in the murky water leaving my father and sister behind. As I walk, sticks and leaves latch on to me and follow me as I step further into the mush. Then it happens. Everyone goes. No horn. No gunshot. No indication that the event has started but I follow.

            The phone rings as I sit in my dorm room studying for finals before winter break. It’s my pops. He asks how things are going and eventually cuts to the chase. He tells me that he’s going to participate in a 4.4 mile swim spanning the Bay Bridge called the Bay Swim and asks if I want in. 4.4 miles, you done lost your mind! Alright, I’m in. I’m always up for new things and love the challenge.

            Now I’m getting kicked. Somebody’s ankle has left an imprint on my head. I have to look up every two seconds to make sure I’m going straight because Lord knows I zigzag. When I look up, I see these old geezers swimming past me. These bags of bones are smoking me! But I’m only focused on me. I’m not in it to win it, just to finish.  

            A quarter of a mile in and my shoulders start burning with each stroke. I expected this. It’s alright. As long as I keep this pace, the pain will go away. It’s dark; I can’t see anything. The bay is so dirty that there could be a neon dance party below me and I wouldn’t see it. I’m getting bored. Again, no scenery to look at, just blackness. Eventually, I finish. More like stumble across the line. Afterwards, I see my dad and sister and we all realize that we have dirt mustaches from the dirty water and laugh. That bay was a mess.

I find that trying new things always turns out to be rewarding in one way or another.

(300 words)