I’d tuck myself under umbrellas, towels pulled tight, pretending I was totally fine staying put.
While everyone else laughed, swam, and soaked it all in… I played the role of the “responsible one.”
“I’ll watch our stuff.”
“Someone has to guard the cooler.”
“I’m good right here with my book.”
Total nonsense.
The truth?
The idea of squeezing into a swimsuit made my stomach flip.
Heck, just walking from the parking lot left me out of breath.
And sitting there watching my grandkids build sandcastles while I stayed planted in my chair?
That hit me deep.
Something inside me quietly broke that day.