RIP Story: Sept 16th, 2024

The water called to her. The lake air was cool while the symphony of the surrounding forest filled the air. The dock was dry, and the boats fully supplied. Layla had come a long way. The physical distance she had traveled felt trivial when compared to the distance her mind had traveled to get where she was. Yet, there were times when her mind traveled back. It was so easy for the progress she’d made to slip into the images of the past.

The boat in front of her provided fun for those assembled on the dock. Food for the day’s activities and water specific toys to be used when they were on the water. The boats of her early youth were a one-way escape. The meager supplies were more than what was available in the life she was leaving behind. To run from hunger and fear, her family needed to take a boat filled with the scared, hungry for a new life.

The sounds of water lapping against the shore and the dock filled Layla’s ears. The memories of her youth tried to shove the sounds of the lake away. Those images of her youth were filled with orders being yelled over masses of people. There was the occasional detonation and lots of bullets being fired. The lake had none of that and part of her healing was to take time and feel safe in the places where she felt safe. School had been that place for a while, but today it was an invite to the lake that gave Layla a chance to let her past and present sit with one another.

Her past was part of her story. Time and moments like this shifted the weight of meaning away from her past toward her present. It took a long time to get to this point. She knew she was lucky. Many didn’t make it this far and many who physically got away, never mentally got away. The beat of her heart started to pulse her body back and forth.

“She’s fine, give her a minute,” Layla heard then she blinked and realized she had been there for longer than a few seconds.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Layla said, looking at all the faces in the boat. Her friend who had invited her stood on the docks edge.

“Take all the time you need. The lake doesn’t know what a clock is.”

Thanks for reading, see you tomorrow.

EPILOGUE: Been away for a while. Feels good to be back.