Ficlets

It all happened too suddenly. Sitting there in our motorboat, enjoying the afternoon when the water shook. Little Christina’s eyes grew wide, for she could see behind me…
Hugh was pulling the ladder in, head down, so I was the first to jump to the driver’s seat, abandoning Christina in the back of the boat. I revved it up and screamed for my husband to hurry it up back there as the boat lurched.

Fumbling with the latch, his dripping body finally scurried into a safe seat, his eyes pleading with me to get going.

The waves started to get larger, and we picked up speed. When we skipped over a particularly large wave, Christina let out a little squeal, which I first thought was innocent delight, but then I heard a distinct splash.

Since I was the better swimmer, but Hugh was closer to the side of the rail, I had an internal conflict.

After recovering from the initial shock, he staggered towards the water.

“Just take the wheel, Hugh!” I shouted frantically before diving into the tossing, depthless sea.