It
was such a vivid and horrible dream of helplessly sinking deeper into water as
the light at the surface dances and ripples away with the waves. The terrible
tightening of the chest realising that the desperate flailing of arms and legs
cannot fight the undercurrent. Finally, resignation as the darkness ascends and
the water begins to fill both mouth and nose
Then
suddenly back in bed. Safe, cosy and surrounded by the warming dappled sun
through the curtained window. Gulping at the air before realising it was safe
here in the pillowed bed. The door opens gently and a mother’s loving face
peers round. Worried by the noise she had heard she is immediately reassured by
the smile she sees. He smiles back.
Such
perfect love, such a warming smile, the nightmare has almost faded away.
A
breakfast is carried in followed by father with presents. As perfect a
start to a birthday as there could possibly be. If only that dream was not
still in the mind.
Sitting
up and laughing, reaching out arms to cuddle them both. Softly and slowly the
arms come together but there is nothing to hold. The darkness that follows behind
them obscures the moment and then the scene.
Some
time later the body is hauled onto the boat. “Fifth we’ve found,” says the
boatman, “Don’t suppose there’s any survived in this water.”
As
the body is rolled over not one person comments on his smile.
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