My Turn

This is my entry for August's 100 Word Story (No Repeats!) contest.

My Turn


Jackie selects her target, fills well-trained lungs, submerges, and thrusts strongly away from the wall.  Kicking smoothly, she closes in, avoiding all contact with every intervening, randomly-flailing limb.  Bodies interpose themselves incessantly, necessitating constant, minor course corrections.

Youthful, yet deep-seated hatred powers each stroke.  Memories of daily, spirit-crushing put-downs contribute their own useful energy, remembered spiteful insults fuel fierce determination.  Revenge would be sweet.

Nearer - veering left, right.  Brain now screaming for oxygen - almost there!  Vision blurring - so close!  This one?  YES! 

Ten eager fingers grasp billowing nylon, yanking downward, exposing - a  second swimsuit?  NO-O-O-O!