Drift Away

NINETEEN

Liz filled my dreams.

Her face showed up in flashes, images of her smiling at me. Some from the ocean, some from her bedroom, some from restaurants, some from places I couldn’t see.

Then she was off in the distance, a stretch of sand I didn’t recognize. Her mouth was moving, but I couldn’t hear her. I called out to her, tried to get closer to her, but I still couldn’t hear. I walked at first, then ran. But no matter how fast I ran, I couldn’t get closer. She stayed off in the distance, now cupping her hands, like she was yelling toward me.

My feet pounded the sand, my legs churning as I tried to get to her.

Her hands were in the air now, waving at me as if she was trying to get my attention and I couldn’t see her.

But I could see her perfectly.

I just needed to get to her.

Finally, I seemed to be closing the distance. I could hear her voice, but couldn’t make out the words.

I ran harder.

I caught my toe in the sand and stumbled, nearly going face first into the sand.

I regained my balance and looked up.

She was gone.

Gone.