i'm nervous as i pull into the parking lot.
i've arrived at my destination, a nearby park...a park with a pond.
after a few deep breaths, i get out of the car.
the park isn't too crowded as i take a stroll, contemplating what i'm about to do.
i'm wearing blue jeans, a black t-shirt, white ankle socks, cotton panties, and black chuck taylor's.
ok - I've worked up my nerve. the park's not too crowded; i can do this.
i head down the sloping grass towards the water.
i sit on the edge of the pond, and slowly dip my feet in.
it's early june, and the water is still a bit chilly.
the water seeps into my shoes, as i submerge them completely.
my shoes are now filled with water, and my ankle socks are see-thru.
i slide off the rocks and stand up in the water, which is knee-deep.
the resistance against my legs as i walk is a strange sensation.
i look around nervously, not wanting to be seen.
i'm walking towards the "mouth" of the pond.
the water has gotten a few inches deeper, and i'm enjoying the sensation of the water slowly creeping up my legs.
i'm lulled into a false sense of security, when it happened...
without knowing what hit me, i plunge beneath the surface of the pond.
i emerge open-mouthed, shocked and gasping for breath.
i am completely soaked.
i look around frantically, hoping against hope that i wasn't seen, but no such luck.
a man appears, and he asks what's happened?
i don't hear his words. instead, i motion that the rock on which i'd been standing was loose.
i couldn't tell him that i'd intentionally gone into the pond.
"you mean you fell in?"
i shake my head yes, and slowly make my way over to the edge.
"is the water warm or cold?" he asks.
"it's cold" i say.
i lift myself out of the pond, as water pours from my clothes.
"oh my god, i am soaking wet." i exclaim.
my hair is matted to my head and water drips down my face.
my black t-shirt glistens in the sunlight, and my jeans feel very smooth and slick.
water squishes from my shoes, and i leave wet footprints as i walk.
the man pats me on the shoulder, and asks if i'm alright.
"yes" i say, "but i'm a little embarrassed."
"i came here to take a walk, and i wound up taking an unexpected swim with all of my clothes on."
i walk back up towards the parking lot;
the lot is much more crowded than it was when i arrived, and lots of people see me as i get back into my car with all of my wet clothes still on.
i cannot believe this just happened.
i had just planned to get my feet wet, but instead went for a fully-clothed swim in a public park.