Carly Was Right, Again

Water was easy. The hard part was after.

Went in at seven. The bay was grey. Wind from the south-west. I just swam. Catch, pull, turn, breathe. My shoulder did not ask for too much. For a bit I forgot the rest of it.

I came out and Carly was on her phone. She had my spare jacket on. She did not look up. That bit stings, even when I know it is just her phone.

Then she said ring them today. She still did not look up. She did not say who. I said yeah.

I did not ring them.

I am not going to ring them tonight. I am going to tell myself tomorrow. I have been telling myself tomorrow for a while now. I know how this goes.

I love the water because in there nothing waits for me. Out here, everything does. I think Carly knows that. I think that is why she said it, and looked away.