Waterlogged Memories

I...can't...breathe. Agnes thinks as she fumbles with her regulator, checking the pressure and making adjustments. Still no air. Her arms extend forward, moving them to opposite sides and back at the center again with her legs kicking underneath. Every time she feels she's making progress, she could feel herself being dragged down again. Talk about one step forward, two steps back. Her arms and legs feel like slabs of lead trying to stay afloat.

She feels dizzy about halfway and uses what's left of her energy to remove her tank and regulator, making it easier for her to swim. At about twenty feet to the surface, her body starts to feel heavy and her vision starts to blur. She sees the sunlight streaming through the water. She extends her hand and tries to claw her way up but all she touches is water.

Her body feels lighter and she is falling back to where she came from when she feels something curved underneath her. She inhales. It's a fin. Wait. Am I dead? Great. Heaven is underwater and there are dolphins.

Agnes manages to open an eye and sees the pod around her. The dolphin is still underneath her. She exhales. Wait. I can breathe underwater?! How is this possible? I must be dead.

***

My parents are swimmers so I guess it makes sense that I would follow in their footsteps. But instead of the pungent smell of chlorine, I prefer the saltiness of the sea. I must have badgered them to go to the beach so many times that we eventually moved to a house near the sea after a few arguments between my parents. The sea has carried me through bullying, first heartbreak, death of my dad, getting into my desired program in university, and now, landing my dream job. Life hasn't been good, but it has been fair and the sea was witness to all of that.

"You've always been a good listener," Agnes smiles at the sea before her, "I promise I will come and visit you as often as I can." She continues to sit there on the bed of sand until the sun bid goodbye.

"See you soon!"

Dream wags his tail as he greets Agnes and follows her around the house. Agnes kneels down and rubs Dream's head before letting go. As she's about to pull open the fridge, she sees a note with the familiar handwriting, "Be back later tonight. Don't wait up. Casserole's in the fridge. Love you."

Silence is a familiar companion. I'm not bothered. Not at all.

***

"Hey baby, sorry about last night. We need the money," Meg says as she prepares breakfast.

"It's okay, mom. Thank you for the tuna casserole. It was delicious, as always," Agnes winks as she envelops her arms around her mother.

Meg flinches at the gesture for a second before adding, "Come on. Let's have breakfast."

"Slow down! You're going to choke on your food."

"Can't. Late. Already," Agnes manages while her mouth is busy doing its job.

Meg shakes her head as she hands Agnes a glass of water.

"Have a...," Meg starts and before she could finish, Agnes was out the door, "good day."

Walking around the lobby of the company, Agnes darts from one photo to another of sea creatures that were taken by her senior colleagues. She stops in front of the photo of an orca with its head visible over the water and staring at the setting sun. Lia, the receptionist, notices this and decides to approach Agnes.

"There's a story to that one. I'm not sure where it's from but it sure is interesting."

"Will you tell me about it?"