Is it really overboard?

Note: I don't make enough money to participate in Vocal challenges. This was more inspired by Darrsheena Raja Segarran and her kindness than anything else. This is also a very loose interpretation. I needed a prompt anyway, so I figured that if I can't enter the challenge itself, I'll just take it and do what I want with it. Her short story is a lot more faithful to the guidelines.

~::~

Overboard.

How did a word associated with a sinking ship come to mean "doing too much?"

I hold myself back in conversation. I know most people aren't ready for all my thoughts. I know they're not used to people caring about the things I care about.

Overboard.

I don't know how much is too much. I don't know where the line is. I don't know who or when or how often to ask.

Tell one person sorry, and they'll respond with "Don't apologize! You shouldn't have to feel sorry for being yourself!"

Take that to mean you're doing fine, and the next person will say you're overbearing. That you're too familiar. That you make them uncomfortable.

All that work to feel okay, and it's straight back to sorry again.

Overboard.

A last ditch attempt to save yourself. Whether you're throwing items over the railing or jumping over yourself, this only happens when there's no other option.

And yet, even something as simple as showing up with flowers can be seen as going "overboard" in a society without ships.

Overboard.

I'm not sure most people still know what that means.