Gemotions

The scent of chlorine hung heavy in the air at the community pool. He saw her, the woman he had loved, sunning herself by the edge. He had been so young, he had been so silly. But now he was ready.

He walked over. "Hey, do you remember me? It's Ben. We used to swim here, like, all the time, when we were kids?” he asked, trying to sound nonchalant. She looked up, squinting in the sunlight. “I don't recall," she said, before returning to her book.

His breath hitched. A wave of lightness spread through him. He dove into the water with a joyful yell, splashing around like a child. He felt like he could stay in there forever.