Page 33 of The Warmth of Our Closest Star

“You’re not really getting into the water,” he said.

“I am.”

“Enzo,” he said, “I was kidding. You’ll freeze yourself to death.”

“Then I suppose you will have to warm me up when I am done?” I suggested.

It took a moment, but Peter finally grinned.

“Tell you what,” he leaned in, as though there was someone nearby who might overhear, “if you get in the water and you actually submerge yourself. Get everything wet—”

Suddenly, he was glancing all around us, confusing me. Then his eyes came back to mine.

“—I’ll take you right over there—”

He gestured at a densely wooded area off of the beach several meters away.

“—and warm you up. Right there. Outside. Any way you want.”

I shivered. It wasn’t the cold water or the breeze. And it wasn’t about being cold at all. I felt very warm.

“Any way I want?” I asked.

“Mmhm.”

Before Peter could say anything else, my feet had taken on a mind of their own, dashing away from the rocky shore and out into the water. I was knee-deep in the lake before Peter even reacted.

“Enzo!” He laugh-screamed out at me. “You’re crazy!”

“This is all your fault!” I screamed over my shoulder at him as I dashed through the water.

Lake Superior rushed up to greet my knees, chilling me to the bones. Then my thighs. My groin. Then the water was above my belly button and I was equally exhilarated by and contrite with my choice to get into the water. Peter’s laughter from the shore urged me on, had me determined to complete my mission. I stopped and stood there with the water halfway up my belly as I stared out at the golden water and it froze my lower half as the sun did its best to warm my upper half. I closed my eyes and lifted my face to greet the warmth of the sun, giving thanks for the day that the universe had given me.

The universe.

And Peter.

Then I was plunging into the water, my legs collapsing beneath me so that I could dunk my head under the surface.

There was a moment, when my head first went under the water, and the world was extricated from my senses, that I felt disembodied. I was left with the muffled sounds of Peter screaming encouragement from the shore and the thrumming of my pulse in my ears. Cradled in an alien environment where only gurgled sound, my pulse, and darkness lived. An icy planet where chaotic bravado won deserving men favors from the person they…loved.

That realization planted my feet against the rocks beneath me and pushed me upwards, sending me soaring out of the water like a rocket. I burst through the surface, gasping for air and warmth, laughing at my stupidity. After mere seconds under the water, the sun was searing—and I welcomed it. I gave it a final thanks and turned to race back towards shore. Peter was laughing and shouting at me still, holding my t-shirt in his clenched fist.

As I raced towards the shore, he cheered me on, forcing a grin to my face. When I stepped onto the shore, soaking wet, shivering, and unsure if I was happy with the decision I’d made, he wrapped me up in his arms.

“You’ll get wet,” I said through chattering teeth. “And cold.”

“I don’t care,” he said into my ear.

“It was so cold,” I said stupidly.

“You’re freezing. And I don’t have a towel. That was so dumb. I loved it.”

I shivered and laughed as he held me.

“Let’s go up to the room,” he suggested, pulling out of the hug to grab my hand. “Get you dried off and warmed up.”

Peter tried to pull me from the shore, but I held fast. He turned to look at me, confusion etched on his face. I squeezed his hand and nodded towards the wooded area.