Paint

I can’t swim. Doggy paddle, float, swim underwater, swimming on my back, I can do. I will panic and drown with the skills I have. I still go in pools, boats, dive into deep ends, but something with waves and far away shores, I would have a problem. Neither of my parents swim either. My mom would take me to a pool when I was little, and as a family there was a huge wading pool we would go to that started at your toes and went way over your head as you proceeded toward the center. My mom seemed terrified of deep water and dad never went out deep, that I recall. I still went to pools with friends, swam in lakes, just don’t come near me if it’s over my head, I don’t like being dunked.

One of our family adventures was Ontario Place. First time ever going on water slides! Now that is fun! I used the slides the entire time we were there. Down, wait in line and down again. I went down on my butt, feet first and back wards. On my stomach feet first, switch around and superman down. For hours, never got bored and hated leaving. Such a great day! I fell asleep on the way home, I was a tween but a full day of sunshine and fresh air puts you right to sleep.

Later that evening at home, my toes hurt when I walked. Upon closer inspection they were a beautiful light blue colour, specifically my big toes. If I pressed on the nail beds, they hurt pretty bad. I got momma to check them out. Up on the table, with mom inspecting my feet. Apparently going down the water slide, on my stomach, feet first, I had collected paint under the nails of my big toes. I can barely write this without clenching my jaw, wrinkling my nose, and reliving it. My mother dug every piece of paint out from under my nails with a needle. The paint was halfway up the nail beds on both big toes. I do not recall childbirth with as much sensory reaction as that paint chip removal. I don’t know how I stayed there and let her get it done. Maybe if I had of been an actual teen, when I was an ass to her, she may have been able to get some pleasure for the pain inflicted. It was torture, not the best close to a perfect day. I notice water slides now are a nice thick plastic. They also have rules for using them, some even ban certain ways of going down. Good plan! I was part of the trial and error generation, your welcome!