No. 11

I was baptized when I was young. I wore windbreaker pants and a t-shirt and I was painfully aware of my body. The dividing wall between the baptismal tank and the congregation was my relief. My mom planned a pool party and I ruined the surprise because my body is ugly. The baptism wasn’t so bad; at least I was wearing all of my clothes. What stands out the most is the walk back to the changing room behind the altar. I remember my windbreakers and the way they held water. I had two buckets tied to my ankles as I walked. Once there, I lifted the elastic band and the water gushed out like a bursting balloon. I wonder if anyone noticed my balloon ankles as I walked behind the tank. I wonder if anyone could hear the swish, swish, swoosh of my pants mixed with the buckets in motion.