He shrugs, a small smile playing on his lips.
“Fine.”I nod, gaze fixed on the white structure.“Do you mind?”I hold out my coffee mug.
“Not at all.”He takes the mug immediately and steps back to give me space.
I plant my hands on my hips, take a deep breath, and press my foot to the rough surface of the board.It feels surprisingly solid.Encouraged, I bring my other foot up, planting it firmly.
A tiny sliver of confidence unfurls.
I take another slow step, moving away from the solid pool deck and out over the glowing turquoise water.
The board holds.
Then, another step.
But this time, the white surface dips beneath my weight.A springy give sends panic straight through my nervous system.My balance wobbles.A startled yelp tears from my throat as my arms flail to steady myself.
“Matt!”
“It barely dipped, don’t worry,” he says, his tone light.
“It’s practically touching the water,” I reply, panic punctuating my words.
“Amy, look at me.Amy,” he urges.
I bring my eyes to his, afraid to move a muscle.
“It’s wide enough, and it’s pretty thick,” he tells me.“Just relax and enjoy yourself.”
He turns and walks toward the stone ledge where the tall trees grow.
“Where are you going?”I ask, my voice rising.
“Just putting our mugs down.”He raises both mugs without turning back.
I stand frozen, lips gripped between my teeth, hands clenched.My eyes are fixed firmly on the white, textured surface beneath my feet, afraid to look anywhere else.
Relax and enjoy myself.
I take a tiny, experimental step.Then another.I force myself to lift my head and risk a quick glance at the water.It shimmers, an electric turquoise glowing against the deep darkness surrounding the pool.
My eyes flick back to the board, heart hammering.But the image of that glowing water lingers.I steal another glance, longer this time.The rippling surface creates shifting, hypnotic patterns on the pool floor.
It’s mesmerizing.
The quiet allure of the water competes with the fear.The longer I look, the more the ethereal glow pulls me in, promising peace.A focus outside the chaos in my head.Captivated, I take another step.Only a foot from the end.Slowly, carefully, I pivot sideways to face the pool.I allow myself to look down, taking in the silent, glowing depths.
Night breeze on my face.Vast darkness all around.
For a moment, the beauty holds the fear captive.
I feel suspended.
Utterly alone on this breathtaking precipice.
Then the board shifts.A subtle dip and spring that makes my stomach plummet.My head whips around.
Matthew is standing a couple of steps behind me.
