Swim For Life
By Esther Wu

“Becca! Come on! We’re gonna be late for swim practice!” I grabbed my swim bag and dashed out the front door. Hannah was getting into her brand new car as I stumbled off the front porch.

“Sheesh, I’m coming. Coach Dave doesn’t care that much if we’re late anyway!”

“Just get in the car! Our perfect attendance record will be ruined if we’re late. And I want to have it my senior year.” I sighed as I climbed into the front seat of my sister’s car. I really didn’t like Hannah reminding me that she was graduating this year. In all honesty, life without Hannah was simply unthinkable. Being only a year apart, the two of us did everything together and had pretty much all the same interests. Especially swimming.

The normal smile that graces my complexion appeared as I thought of the activity that characterizes our life. Hannah and I had been raised in the water. At the age of three, our parents had pretty much thrown us in the ocean and said “Sink or swim.” Living in various cities along the coast of Florida our entire life, beaches and oceans were regular neighbors.

Swim practice was always the norm at the house. Both of us swam on the school swim team, the Manta Rays, and we’ve won three state championships in a row. Despite the hard work of having two practices for hours every day, I always felt so naked without my goggles, swim cap, and suit. As I slipped into the pool for yet another exhausting afternoon practice, I wouldn’t have been happier anywhere else.
“Whew! That was a ton of fun. Heh, I guess Dave wants that title again this year.” Hannah smiled her mischievous grin as she wrung the chlorinated water out of her hair.

“Yeah. Those 800 IMs were pretty annoying. Hey, why don’t we stop by the beach on the way home?” Hannah’s eyes lit up at the suggestion.

“Definitely. We haven’t been by there for a couple days.”

The ocean looked so beautiful and absolutely irresistible in the late afternoon sun. Hannah and I sprinted toward the waves, whooping at the top of our lungs.

“Ahh, this is the life.” Hannah floated contentedly in the water. The beach was barely visible now, just a tiny speck in the distance. The waves tossed us around gently, carrying us farther and farther from shore.

Suddenly, the waves started to pull back from us. Alarmed, I gazed towards the open ocean, and perceived a gigantic wave beginning to sweep toward us.

“Hannah! We gotta to get out of here! Look!” Hannah’s horrified face showed me that she saw the wave as well. We began to uselessly try to get to shore. Seconds later, I felt the wave pick me up and thrust me into its waiting expanse. Water seeped into my nose and pounded me on every side. However, to my surprise, the wave let me go. Gasping for air, I pushed to the surface of the water. Knowing full well that I was lucky to be alive, I quickly looked around trying to locate my older sister.

“Hannah! Hannah, where are you?!?” There was no response. “Hannah!” I could feel my heart sinking as I continued to call for my sister. Frantically, I turned in circles screaming for Hannah. When I got no answer, I briskly swam to shore, calling desperately for help. The peace of the beach was shattered as yells and screams spread across it. Screeching sirens soon joined the fog of chaos that swirled around me. I sank to my knees upon the beach as the search crews rushed out. Despair and hopelessness swept over me in yet another wave. My brain could no longer function, and I sat woodenly upon the beach. Now all I could hear was the steady swishing as the ocean hit the sand beneath my feet. Then, the search parties came back…

And my world came to a screeching halt.

No tears would come. A robotic numbness took hold and steered me, unfeeling, through the next few days. All I could do was stare blankly ahead. Not speaking, not hearing, and not seeing.

Life continued to go on, and in trying to keep up, I became an expert at putting on a mask each day at school. All my friends saw the strong, spirited, and occasionally stubborn teen that had always been there before. Few could see through the mask, and fewer still wanted to do anything about it. No one knew the numbness had faded away, and that I now cried myself to sleep every night. My parents didn’t even know. They had enough pain to be getting on with themselves. Worst of all, I had nothing to take my mind off Hannah. Not even swimming. My

one love in life no longer had any appeal. In fact I hated it. It was this love of the water and swimming that had taken Hannah away. My sister, and my best friend.

On one of many lonely nights, I crawled into Hannah’s old bed. As I picked up her old physics book, a piece of paper fluttered out. Picking it up, I began to read.

Dearest Rebecca,

I’m really, really bored right now. My physics teacher is just droning on and on. So I decided to write you a letter. I hope life is going great for you. Yeah, junior year is really hard, but hang tight, you’re a smart and stubborn girl (Occasionally too stubborn :-P) you’ll be alright. Yeah, I know I rat on you all the time about one thing or another, but you know I’m joking. You’re an amazing gal, and one I’ m proud to call my beloved little sis. I know it’ll be really weird not having me around the house and stuff after I graduate, but you’ll only have one more year at home. We’ve had a ton of good times and memories, and I want you to keep making them yourself. Keep swimming and doing all the things we love. And I’ll come visit, don’t worry. We’ll catch up on everything. And always remember I love you very much, and to live life to the absolute fullest.

Love,

Hannah

I looked up from the letter, tears pouring down my face. Turning my head, I saw my heap of swimming stuff collecting dust in the corner. Hannah was right. It was time to start living again.