It went so far down, and so wide in all directions, it felt like I could swim for years and years and then keep swimming.

However, this was not overwhelming.

No.

Instead, I felt…

Free.

Of a sudden, Jorie powered ahead of us, before he swam in front of me, cutting me off, helixing up, and Ha-Lah and I followed him.

And when Ha-Lah passed me, smiling back my way, she did this exclaiming, “Oh, Silence! You’re in for a treat!”

We both chased after Jorie’s powerful tail, me doing so pleased that I had found my pacing with my fin, and it wasn’t long before I saw them.

And begorrah.

What marvel!

I kicked my fin faster as Ha-Lah and Jorie pursued them.

This was when I felt a tickle in my throat, the emotion sting my eyes, as I watched Jorie, then Ha-Lah, join a large pod of dolphins.

There had to be thirty of them, maybe forty, even babies!

They were glorious.

Jorie’s big body and long fin curled around one, then another, and they began to butt him with their bottle noses, and I would swear to the gods, they were smiling at him.

Come play.

When these words came to me, I stopped swimming abruptly.

Jorie, Ha-Lah and the dolphins were swirling on, distance forming between us, but three dolphins at the end of the school broke off, swum to me, beyond me…

They then turned, surged up all about me, causing the waters to churn and bubble and propel me with them, and I heard it again.

Come play.

By the gods!

Just as Ha-Lah said!

They could speak to me!

I kicked and struck out with my arms as one dashed over the top of me from one side to the other, one doing the same below, and then another over me, then one raced in front of me.

I liked this “play.”

I liked it very much.

Thus, I laughed, joined in and swam with the dolphins.

Jorie made his way back, curved around, took position beside me and guided me deeper into the pod.

Some of the dolphins rose up, breaking the surface, only to dive back down, causing effervescent white foam and bubbles to form around us that tingled as you swam through them and just felt…

Happy.

My brother and I swam side by side, skimming through it.

“How do you feel, my little sister?” Jorie asked.

I turned my head to my handsome brother.

And answered with complete honesty, “Like I’ve finally come home.”

His smile could light up the sea.

Then we both struck forward.

And we played with the dolphins.

I held the rope tight in my hands as they heaved me up.