The Lilac Tunnel: My Journey with Samantha

I tell Samantha that she can swim, but I’d rather sit on the shore and watch. Samantha hesitates, then says we’ll only do that for a little while. Then we can do something fun together. I dress quickly and follow Samantha down to the lake, where Uncle Gard is already swimming. Cornelia is there, too, sitting on a blanket, spread out across the grass.

Samantha rushes into the water, squealing. She swims with long, confident strokes to where Uncle Gard is treading water. She splashes and playfully and swims past him, towards the large rock. A moment later, they’re both pulling themselves onto the rock. Then, I hear Cornelia calling me over to sit.

Cornelia pats a spot on the blanket and I try to figure out the most lady-like way to sit in my dress. Criss-cross applesauce doesn’t seem like the best option. I see Cornelia is leaning sideways, with her knees and feet drawn up beside her, and I try to mimic that pose without falling over.

I see Samantha waving at me from the rock and rough-housing with Uncle Gard. I say that they’re having so much fun. Cornelia nods and lifts her face towards the sun, her eyes closing with a faint smile on her face. She says Piney Point makes everyone feel a little more free. She’d loved to lose this itchy hat and soak up the sunshine, but her face would freckle in a matter of minutes. I see she is very fair, without a single freckle. And her ginger-colored hair sings almost red in the morning sun. I look at Samantha and Uncle Gard. They have the same dark hair, wet and gleaming. I say they look alike. Cornelia says I should tell Samantha that. That would make her happy.

Samantha doesn’t swim for long. She keeps glancing back at me, wondering if I’m having a good time. Finally, she comes out of the water dripping wet and tells me she’s had enough for the day.

As we walk back to Wood Tick Inn, I feel bad, as if I cut her fun short. So I tell her the truth and tell her I’m sorry I didn’t swim with her. I’m just not used to swimming with so much clothes. I’m scared to try it. She turns to me and asks what I wear when I swim. I struggle with the question, picturing my two-piece bathing suit. Eventually, I tell her that I don’t wear shoes and stockings. Samantha stops walking and says Grandmary would never allow that, even in Piney Point. I remember that Samantha doesn’t get to choose what she wears. I’m suddenly ashamed, wondering what she must think of me and my clothing choices. But then she asks if the water is cold on my legs. And do I mind feeling the bottom be beneath my feet? I answer her questions as best I can, and then I tell her how much I think she and Uncle Gard look alike. Her face lights up into a happy smile. Cornelia was sure right about that.

After a day spent picking wildflowers and a delicious dinner at the main house, Samantha leads me back down the trail to Wood Tick Inn. The sun sinks low in the sky. Once we’re inside the cabin, Samantha says we should go swimming. My stomach drops. I’m not sure I’m gonna go in the water. Also, isn’t her bathing suit still wet? Samantha gives me a smile. We’re not wearing any bathing suits. She says she might like to try wearing what I wear when I swim. She takes off her play dress and pinafore and peels off her shoes and stockings. Then she twirls in a circle wearing nothing but a lacy undershirt and long, lace-trimmed underpants. I ask her if she’s sure. She nods. Now we can both swim together.

I quickly undress down to my undershirt and pants, too, and we tiptoe to the lake-shore. Samantha holds her finger to her lips and says to be quiet. If Grandmary catches us out here, she can’t even imagine what she would say or do. I watch her face as we step into the cold water. Her eyes are bright, and she shivers as she takes her first step. We stay in the shallow water, just up to our necks, and bounce on our toes. It’s dusk now, and the moon shines brightly overhead. Samantha confesses that she feels so free in the water. I’m about to respond when we hear a voice calling out Samantha’s name from the trail above.