Kereen Getten

That is the smell of happiness.”

Mama tells me to get ready for bed right away. I don’t argue. It’s been a long day, and I’m exhausted

The city isn’t as fun as I expected. In fact, I can’t wait to get home

It’s only sand, I tell myself, it won’t harm you. It’s the sea that can pull you under with no warning and no apology.

It’s late, but the air is still warm and heavy

I’m sick of crying. I don’t want to anymore

The boat is getting smaller, and the ocean is getting bigger, and it feels as if we are being sucked down into the depths.

The calm sea, the dark sky, the heavy clouds, the shouting.

The ocean is so big, it could swallow me and Papa whole if it wanted. I look back at the shore and it is just a tiny speck

Papa bursts into the hotel room, where Mama is still fast asleep. “Time to get up,” he announces. “We have a free meal waiting for us.”