Looking up into the bright blue sky, there are no clouds. Just rays of light penetrating my fair skin turning it an alarming shade of scarlet. After a lengthy pause the wind picks up and the sail becomes taut— standing proudly against the bullying breeze. The wind today only comes in gusts; each one lasting just long enough to tease one edge of the craft out of the water, before instantly plunging back into the darkness. I hope this wind stays steady. With careful precision I steer her clear of the buoy and head out one more half mile. I want her to take me out, but I also want her to bring me back.
I wonder how much deeper I should travel before consider turning around. I’ve ventured far enough. I turn her around and find the wind again. As the wind dies down for a moment I can start to feel the sun beams. I point her straight and glide smoothly through the shallow pools towards the sand. The shells below slow her down and she gracefully stops. I climb out and look out into the crystal water. I close my eyes and feel the breeze.
So many times I have been to this island. I had collected its shells, swam with its fish, and caressed its white powdered sand. I had bathed its sun and washed in its tropical rain. I had never done this. Finally I had sailed by myself, out in the ocean blue, with only the wind to count on to bring me home.
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