I came to this beach despairing the course that my life has taken, I have lost my purpose, my dreams and any sense of direction to where my life is to take. I came to simply end my existence.

I am a young man in my mid-twenties, strong and of good health. But my life has taken a detour off the road of what I thought would have led to success. My startup company has run out of money and venture capitalists no longer answer my calls. I shuttered down my company and laid off all my employees which involved much stress and tears, for them and for me. My girlfriend of the past five years showed her support by simply packing her bags and leaving me.

This part of the beach is known to have dangerously strong riptides. Those who challenge this beach no longer live to tell their tale. I am counting on this beach’s reputation. It was time. I began to stride toward the ocean with grim determination. Entering the water, I swam about twenty feet out when it happened. A strong current caught me, upended me, and pushed me underwater. I wasn't able to straighten out, I was tumbling underwater and unable to breathe. I was drowning and I knew I was about to die as I wanted.

As I approach my last moments of life, I saw what was perhaps the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes upon swimming towards me. I was thinking that I wouldn’t die alone and that this woman was here for the same reason I had. I then felt hands grabbing me and arms around me as she pulled me to the surface away from the riptide current. Then I passed out.

I opened my eyes to find her staring at me. I wanted to ask her why did she save me but she spoke first. “Killing yourself would resolve nothing. It would only bring anger and disappointment to the people who care for you. You have an obligation in life not to bring unhappiness to those people in your circle. It would be really unfair of you to impact their lives in that way. You have forgotten that people that are your true friends will gladly help you if you would only ask. Don’t be arrogant and selfish, no one can be successful alone by themselves. An often misquoted but popular saying states that success has many mothers and fathers but failure is an orphan. Live and try again!” Everything then went dark.

It has been a year since that day when that woman saved me. Events in my life have once again changed, but this time for the better. With the help of friends and relatives, I reopened my company and I’m finally starting to see it growing. I am sitting here at the same spot on the beach like many times before, hoping to see her again. I don’t know how she knew I was trying to end my life that day. It’s more of a mystery of how she seemed to know the circumstances of what drove me to make that decision in the first place. Heck, I didn’t even get her name, but one thing for sure, she was certainly gorgeous and she put me back on the road I was intended to travel! I hope to meet her again but in the meantime, I’ll keep coming here and doing this:

Image: wikimedia.org wikipedia common Korean_style_%2814163823197%29.

This story is a result of a writing prompt started by Jennifer L. Harris (JL Harris) whom I deeply am grateful for. Thank You!

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About the Author

I am retired from the Aerospace Industry. I write mostly Satire, Humor, and Funny stories about the absurd things in life. I also don’t shy away from other genres.