Learning to Swim
LEARNING TO SWIM BY NATHAN MARSHBURN COPYRIGHT 2019 Before I take in the water, I take in her- the shapely, smooth brown legs. Her curves go all the way up her body as she lounges in a deck chair, wearing dark sunglasses and reading a shiny hardback book of some sort. She is alone- which is a good thing for me, I hope. No competition. Then I take in the pool. Its bright blue water is purer than the color of the sky. I walk to the edge farthest from her. The markers show that the depth of the water ranges from four to eight feet. I am toward the deep end. Staring across, the width of the pool is about 20 yards. Could I make that distance holding my breath, swimming under water? I’m not sure. With practice, yeah, it could be done. I look at the woman again. She acts like she doesn’t notice me. But then I see her steal a sideways glance over the frame of her sunglasses. She is aware of my presence as I stand in my swim trunks and sandals. The water awaits. Ug...