Deep
Jay sat on the precipice. The long drop over the water was exciting for him. It made him feel alive. His legs dangled over the smooth, wet rock that hovered over the rushing waves. The sound of a million bubbles filled his ears, but his delight was imperfect. He longed for her; he wished that she could be near.
Blue hues rose like a melody in the rainbow of water spray. He tried to look through it to see its heart, but the sheer exuberance of the shower left him breathless.
The joy of the water was difficult to describe to strangers. For a moment, his effervescent spirit faltered. He felt out of sync. The purple haze, a mystery of unfathomable proportion.
But then he saw her grin rise like a specter on the geyser—unbound happiness. Like light, like hope, like a future.
She was there, diving into the white foam. Her backpack glistened with the reflection of sunlight. She was sturdy. She knew what to do.
Then he was beside her, holding her hand. Smiling before the descent.
There were pearls in the water. They radiated a million moons.
Perfect, treasure.
The soul of the universe.
A worthy pursuit.
Her family had been diving for years. He was the first of his family’s generation.
She was like a gem. She understood decompression, and she was free with her knowledge and her teachings.
Like a maestro.
An instructor, a teacher.
They had been so indescribably good together. always the best haul. The ultimate prize: Top money.
He had put his brother through school.
She had paid for her father’s cancer treatment.
They were an indestructible team.
Pearl divers, supreme
On a sunlit day, when the waters churned with defiance, she dived nonetheless.
He sat on the precipice and saw her shadow. It was blue and purple, much like the rainbow.
He raised himself into a tackle.
He heard her whisper, "Be careful, my love. I’ll always be with you. Be careful. It’s not all about the pearls."
Then he dove. A deep, deep, penetrating dive.