Below the Surface

Below the Surface — page 5 — Just as I'm taking the first picture of my finds I hear something that freezes the water on my skin A horrible laugh carries over the rush of the river Oh no My heart kicks into high gear I sweep the cans and lures into my mesh bag along with my phone in its waterproof case and jump feet first into the river My swimming goggles flap around my neck It's only fifteen feet to the water I dive from the highest board at the pool no problem But the pool is deeper The water catches me bouncing me up and down and it takes me a second to find my place in the current I kick to the surface and break into the air with barely a gasp A dozen bike tires rumble over the uneven boards of the bridge The boys on the bikes are still cackling like hyenas but they don't notice me Only one of them glances at the puddle the cans and I left on the wood He doesn't look further 4

Below the Surface — page 6 — They don't see me this time I lie back my toes catching the breeze above the surface and let the river carry me away My heart is still pounding at the near miss and I need a moment to breathe My mom says I'm conflict averse She doesn't say it like it's a bad thing but it doesn't feel good I don't like arguments or fights or any kind of confrontation They make my heart beat fast when I'm standing still and I can't think straight What can I say I'd rather go with the flow I manage to get my goggles back on without too much water inside them I flip over to scan the riverbed drifting by under me Among stones and tangling river plants a half crumpled can catches the sunlight When I dive down and pluck it a cloud of silt puffs up I'm already moving on as I shove the can into my bag Hold on One of those stones didn't look right I twist around and grab a big rock to help me push against the current I shove my hand into the 5

Below the Surface — page 7 — cloud of silt and there I grab something way too smooth and light to be a stone It's round and flat and fits in my palm The air is starting to burn in my lungs and my mouth wants to fly open I shove the weird object into my bag and kick for the surface The current carries me a little farther as I swim for the riverbank A guy fishing on the bank waves Nice day to be on the river eh Always Hey want some weights I grab the handful of lead weights tangled in fishing line out of my bag These are in good shape Thanks He touches the brim of his hat which has brightly colored lures stuck into it Have a good one With a wave goodbye I climb the bank using bushes to haul myself up The path that follows the river is mostly empty As I head back toward the bridge water sloshes from 6

Below the Surface — page 8 — my swim shorts and shoes There's a trail of dark gravel behind me It looks like a river monster decided to go for a walk I dig into my mesh bag for the mystery item Out of the water it's very cold I pull it out and am surprised to see a watch It looks like the pocket watches old timey people on TV have My mom's obsessed with those shows One side has a design etched into the metal and the other side is plain There's a button on the top but it won't budge There must be silt stuck in it No matter how hard I push or pull I can't get it open Theo My body jerks in surprise and I drop the watch 7

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