Pool

She breaks the water first with the tips of her fingers. She relishes the stillness and the calm under the water. No need to think, nothing to hear...just glide through the silence. Stays under a minute...a minute and a half. Her lungs begin to burn but she makes no move to rise. 20 seconds later and she feels she will burst and yet still she longs to stay below. Finally, at 2 minutes she breaks the surface with a great, heaving breath. The sound is like a stereo turned full blast. "Mommy!" "Mom!" Hey honey?" She shudders.