The waves splash around my ankles, instantly sending chills up my calves and erasing the thoughts of the argument I just had. I smile at the familiar feeling of sinking my toes in the wet sand. Looking up at the Pacific coast does wonders as a mind relaxer.
I can hear the screams from Belmont Park down the road and the laughs of drunks at Luigi's pizza place. I love San Diego, California. After all, it is my home. It's the only place I've ever known and unlike most people, I don't want to leave. I don't dream of making it big and getting out of here. To be honest, I'm not really sure what even is out there. Nor do I want to.
I'm content with my life. I'm content with my mother bickering with me through all hours of the day telling me that now is the time to plan my future. My high school graduation was last Thursday and I'm officially a graduate. To me, there's nothing more I need. But my mother doesn't see it that way. She wants me to move on and go to some university out of state. I call it her way of making me move out but she says she's just doing her motherly duty.
The beach is my release, where in the waves I don't have to worry about nagging mothers or calls from my guidance counselors giving me 'tips'.
The sand and water don't want anything from me, and that's what I like. What I enjoy.
My father left years after I was born. I guess it's a touchy subject with my mother because she never wants to talk about it. Luke, my mother's former best friend and soon to be husband, had played the father role since I was six. He doesn't butt in much with me and my mom. Says 'it's not his business'. Yeah, okay.
I sigh knowing now was not a time for a night swim. No, it was evident I had to go back home and deal with reality. Deal with what will be my entire summer break.