The Opposite of Suicide

by

Mary E. Lowd

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Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2012 by Mary E. Lowd

www.marylowd.com

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Dennis took a bow and left the stage for his last time. He gripped arms with his brother and fellow band member; they grinned at each other and agreed it had been a good set. Cameras flashed, and fans shoved photos of him, hopefully, his way. He signed a few autographs, kissed a few girls, and made it to his car. This was the life. His job was being famous and adored, maybe singing a little too. When his day's work was done, he could head over to a party. There was always a party, every night. Tonight, the party was at the docks, on a house boat. It would be good, lots of new stuff to try... and Dennis tried it. The evening became swimmy before his eyes. The more stuff Dennis tried, the swimmier it became. Eventually, he started to feel like swimming. He remembered good old days, before everything got out of control. He used to go swimming then, just for fun. Now it was all commercial. The pressure was... so great. Maybe, if he could just go swimming again... just feel the water passing by him... flowing...

Dennis found himself standing by the edge of the boat, looking at the water. It shone, not with reflected light, but with its own spiritual light from within. Spirituality, that's what they'd lost. If he could just go swimming, maybe he'd find it again. Dennis stepped over the railing, and, leaning into the cold, night air, he called back to his friends. "I'm looking for something I lost..." He jumped before they could respond.