She whispered “Tina” as she walked through the French doors leading out to the pool from the bedroom. It was like something finally snapped. She walked to the edge of the pool and stepped down into the water barely disturbing the glasslike surface. She was still fully clothed as she gently lay face-down and floated on the surface for few minutes until the weight of her evening wear drags her down completely submerging her under the water.

Bette was an experienced swimmer and she’d had lessons on diver’s breathing techniques from Tim who coached a high school swim team. She was no novice but when she became conscious of her surroundings she couldn’t even remember getting into the water much less how to breathe. She held her breath but if she didn’t surface soon it would just be a matter of seconds and it could all be over. She couldn’t help thinking how easy it would be to just let go. What exactly did she have to live for anyway? Tina was right. She’d broken everything that meant anything.

It was so quiet yet so loud. The loneliness was so loud that she couldn’t stand it. As she sank deeper her mind kept working; the voices in her head got louder but Tina’s soft voice penetrated the loudness. She could hear the love of her life calling her back from oblivion. She felt strong arms lifting her out of the water and laying her down on the concrete. Her head was pushed back to open her airways, soft lips covered her mouth as the breath of life was pushed into her lungs.

Bette felt pressure on her chest then she was rolled over on her side as she coughed up the water. Tim hovered over Bette’s prone body after applying CPR. He checked her vitals and made sure that she didn’t have a head injury or a concussion that would require medical care. He wasn’t a doctor but had experienced enough in his career to feel assured that she’d be fine after a good night’s sleep. Her recovery from the hangover she was sure to have in the morning was more worrisome than the near drowning.

Tim sat Bette upright and cradled her to him as she cried. When she was steady he helped her to her feet. With his arms around her they walked towards the open French doors leading into Bette’s bedroom and the en suite master bath.