She too was enjoying the sunshine but tried to forget the cumbersomeness of her life-bearing body. One of the little ones tumbled and stood up sputtering and crying. She brought herself to stand and came over to him and, wiping his face, comforted him.
As she did, she noticed a woman lying in the sun. Her golden skin shone a deep bronze and her small bathing suit looked sleek and alluring. The woman had a cool, brightly colored drink by her side and she was reading a romance novel. The mother lost herself in her gaze. How remarkably wonderful to be able to lie like that, uninterrupted, beautiful, light and free. With a heavy sigh she picked up her unhappy child and carried him over to the chair.
The baby, happy in his mother’s arms, began to coo and laugh. His mother seemed distracted so he batted her face with his soft hands and caressed her cheek. She looked into his sparkling eyes and open mouth and was warmed to the core of her heart. His two little teeth teasing her behind his rosy lips. His plump little arms and legs batting the air, and his laughter like the sound of an angel’s melody. She forgot the woman in the lounge chair and snuggled with her precious baby. The cries and laughs of the older children rang in the air and she was filled with contentment.
Meanwhile, the woman in the lounge chair had been distracted also. Despite her inactivity, she was hot. The alcohol was dehydrating her and water seemed too boring. From her vantage, she could see the beginnings of damage which summer after summer of sun was wreaking on her skin. Though she was still young, she could see how age had started on its vengeful way towards destruction. She had a man somewhere on the resort but he was bored of her, she knew, and was finding entertainment elsewhere. Whether it was with another woman or with men friends, as he swore, she did not know.
She must fight to maintain a callous mind or she would find it all too easy to be hurt. She lifted her eyes from the dull monotony of her book – they were all the same – and noticed the mother at the other end of the pool. She looked soft and round and lovely. Her children were so happy. The little one in her mother’s arms made the woman cringe in her own desperate longing for a child. The sigh that wracked her heart wrung her entire body.
She got up and went to her room. There she showered and as she did she appraised her life. Pointless. Not one person cared if she came or went. Sure, her boss would make a fuss, but she could be replaced. Her boyfriend would call and send flowers, but the new model blond would easily distract him. There was no one that needed her.
So, she did something bold. So bold it made her tremble with joy. She packed, called a taxi and left. No note, no messages. Gone.
There was time to start anew and she would do what was necessary to live life fully and find the contentment inspired by that young mother across the sparkling blue pool.
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