Drowning in Shallow Water

The hat was ridiculous. A straw monstrosity with a velvet ribbon, perched atop David's head like a dead bird. Sarah had insisted—it matched the summer party theme—but wearing it made him feel like participating in his own humiliation.

He adjusted the brim, déjà vu washing over him. This was the third corporate event this month. The third time he'd stood by the pool, nursing warm wine while colleagues exchanged meaningful glances. The office pool was still running, he knew. Fifty dollars on whether he'd finally confront Marcus about the stolen project, or just quietly transfer departments again.

"David!" Marcus materialized, drink in hand, tan gleaming under fairy lights. "Glad you could make it. Love the hat."

David's jaw tightened. Three years of credit taken. Three years of swallowing it down while Marcus collected bonuses and promotions. He'd been running from this confrontation for so long his feet had forgotten how to stand ground.

"Marcus."

"You know," Marcus lowered his voice, "Sarah tells me you two are house-hunting. Tough market. But hey—if you ever need a reference..."

The laugh escaped before David could stop it. A sharp, jagged sound. Marcus's wife appeared at his elbow, concern knitting her brow. "Everything okay?"

"Perfect," David said. "Just admiring the pool."

He wasn't. The water reflected fractured light, distorting everything it touched. Maybe that was the problem. Maybe he'd spent so long watching his reflection warp under other people's decisions that he'd forgotten what he actually looked like.

Sarah found him ten minutes later, standing alone. "What did Marcus say?"

"Nothing important." He reached up and pulled the hat from his head, the ribbon fluttering like surrender. "I'm done with this."

"The party?"

"All of it." The weight of three years lifted with those three words. "The hat. The running away. The pool of bets on my spine." He met her eyes, really looked at her. "I'm taking credit for the Phoenix proposal. On Monday."

Sarah's lips parted. Then slowly, she smiled. "Finally."

David tossed the hat onto a lawn chair. It landed like the beginning of something real.