The Three Ladies

By ANNIKA SHEAFF

In this photograph you can see the happiness of summer. The fresh faces of three young beautiful ladies, glowing. Not women, no, women are old and they ain't silly. These are ladies; they are super silly. Best friends. The river behind them, the Delaware, has a strong current and it is hard to walk up. Swimming is difficult but possible. One lady kept slipping because her water shoes were borrowed and too big. The two on the left wear cute bikinis while the lady on the right wears a black one-piece borrowed from her mother. It was so tight that when she fell in the river the strong current came up her chest and pulled the straps right off, leaving her laughing and screaming with the pure pleasure of feeling embarrassed and exposed. All three of them screamed together as they swung from a rope and fell into the river. Surrounded by trees and paths not yet taken they laugh waiting for life to break them. They appear unstoppable and full of dreams. Chiseled bodies hope to have stretch marks someday. Not too soon. These ladies are patient, and for the time being, on birth control. They are patient and can wait to meet each other's children until the time feels more right. They enjoy laughing and even wrestling sometimes. One of them loves toads, the other two like flowers. They walk and are so inspired by the wind and the scent it carries that they cry, and it helps. Telling stories and staying warm together under old blankets that smell like moth balls. They are afraid to be apart. Cooking with peppers and steam, sipping wine and spilling the beans.

Annika Sheaff is a fourth-year dance student.