Shusssh, psst, psst, psst, shusssh!

"Wheeew!!!"

I raised my thumb up so they would know I wanted them to go faster. I heard the motor getting louder.

Pssst, ttttt, ttttt, shusssh. Pssst, ttttt, ttttt, shusssh

The water felt great for it being so early in the year, and we couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.

"Glass, this is just perfect glass!!!"

I knew no one heard me, but the day was so great.

Shusssh, ttttt, tttttt, tttttt, shusssh.

"Woooaaaahhhh!!!

I only heard the slapping of my skin across the water a few seconds ago. The impact from the crash was still burning, but now there was a calm stillness in the water. I made sure I was still in one piece, and turned my head around to see where the boat was. The orange flag was high in the air, but my family was far enough away that I could barely hear the motor.

I waded over to where my ski was patiently waiting for me.

Slooosh, slooosh, sloosh.

The small waves from the wakes of other boats gently rocked me as I pulled my ski over to where I was. I did a flip over it and under it so I could get my hair wet again.

I saw that the boat was taking the long way around, so I leaned my head gently back into the water and peered into the crystal blue sky. The warmth of the sun took me away from the thoughts of my crash as I allowed the peaceful waves to carry me up and down over and over again.

Slooosh, slooosh, sloosh.

Brummmmm, brummmmm, brummmmm.

They pulled the rope back around to me now, and I felt my moment of peace coming to a quick close.

"Everything O.K.?" my mom called out.

"I'm fine."

"Get in the boat."

I love my mom, but I hate how she always thinks she knows what I am going to do next. I wish people would be more careful about being more considerate of what others are thinking. If the people in this world would ask how <someone> feels about something before assuming they feel a certain way already, think about how much more peace would exist in the world. People need to quit assuming someone is going to think a certain way because of what a "stereotype" tells them they will think.

Just because I crashed pretty hard doesn't mean I'm finished!

If we would just be more open to listening instead of talking, this world would be such a better place to live.

"Marcus, are you getting in the boat?"

I realized I hadn't said what I was doing. It was nice that she asked me a question instead of making a statement. I need to be better about doing that with others. Asking more questions and assuming fewer answers will be the key.

"Na. I want to go a little longer."

"O.K."

I grabbed the rope as it came around. This time I was going to win the battle with the lake. If I went down, it would only be on my terms, not the lake's. Just like life, if I went down, it would be on my terms, not someone else's.

"Take it forward"

Brum, brum, brum, brummmmm.

The boat pulled slowly forward until the line was straight and tight.

"Hit it!"

Brrruuuuuuuummmmm

There was the initial "lug" of the boat as my dad gave it the gas, then it was off to the races again.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

My legs ached with weariness, so I knew I'd struggle with the water more than usual.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

I came out of the bubble and saw the boat clearly in front of me. It reached a good speed fast, and the fun started again. It felt so great to finally be out of the darkness of the water around me.

Tttttt, tttttt, ttttt, Shooosh, tttttt, ttttt, shooosh.