Don’t Go Swimming on an Empty Stomach

Pete had lived in Florida for 20 years. A boring 20
years, he often thought. His house was only a 10-minute walk from the
Gulf. He walked to the sandy white beach almost every day. Bob’s Liquors
was at the corner, halfway to the beach. It was the only store within a
mile. It sold cold beer and cigarettes, which were the only two things
that interested Pete today. The owner of Bob’s was Bill. Bill had bought
the store from Bob, but never renamed the store. “'Bob’s' has a nice
ring to it,” he told curious customers. Also, of course, keeping the old
name saved him money, time, and trouble.

When the water was unsafe, the lifeguards would put red flags all up and
down the beach to warn swimmers to stay out of the water. Today was a
red flag day. Fierce riptides and lots of jellyfish were predicted for
the next 48 hours.

Although windy and completely overcast, it was a warm September day.
Pete stopped at Bob’s. Bill said hello and told Pete to be careful
because of the riptide reports. He asked, “What’ll it be today, Pete?”

Pete ordered the usual—a pack of cigarettes and beer. Bill put the
six-pack into a double paper bag because that helped keep the beer cold
longer. Pete paid him and said goodbye. He walked out the door and
crossed the two-lane street, not bothering to look in either direction.

The flags were flapping loudly. Small waves were splashing onto the
beach. Sea gulls were walking at water’s edge. Low thunder rumbled
occasionally in the distance. An irregular line showed where wet sand
met dry sand. Pete sat down on the dry sand. He opened a can of beer and
lit a cigarette. There was no one else at the beach, except a woman
walking away from him, stopping frequently to examine seashells. Pete
watched a pelican dive into the water. Far away on the horizon, a
stationary ship floated.

Pete was a strong swimmer. He had learned to swim when he was four years
old. In grade school and high school, he won numerous swimming and
diving tournaments. His parents had high hopes that he would compete in
the Olympics.

Pete opened the fifth beer and lit yet another cigarette. The woman
collecting seashells had disappeared from sight. He got up and walked
into the water. When the water was almost thigh-high, he felt the
current tugging at him. A jellyfish stung him behind his right knee. He
took a final drag on his cigarette and flicked it into the water. He
finished the beer, filled the empty can with sea water, and threw it
back onto the beach. He looked at the ship.

Then he dove in and started swimming

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Don’t Go Swimming on an Empty Stomach 1969541851

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Don’t Go Swimming on an Empty Stomach

Don’t Go Swimming on an Empty Stomach

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