Schmaltz 1

Chandler Schmaltz
Mrs. Rutan
Creative Writing
29 October 2015

The Robust Current

A womans scream.
It rings through the air, a menagerie of vocals clashing into a cacophony under the stars. In a hospital
room, a woman is giving birth.
The cool morning of April 29th was signaled by the cries of a baby. The crepuscule was broken by shards of
illumination cast from the suns rays as it rose over the horizon.
I was born at 7:20.
It was an orthodox birthno C-sectionsjust the usual pleasant experience that a woman endures when
in labor. Being the firstborn, my family ecstatically passed me around to everyone they knew in that hospital room.
They named me Chandlera name Ive come to despise. When I would get older, my parents would fill my head
with contemplations of Queen Chandler, who was the first person to be adorned with such an exquisite name. As I
reflect back on those days, Ive become quite suspicious of those frequent colloquies. Im certain they only told me
that so I could feel more content with possessing a name that literally means candle-maker, not to mention
societys consensus that it is a male name. Its not that bad, however, considering Schmaltz (my last name) means
chicken fatbut thats a burden we must all bear.

~
We had only been staying at the cabin in the woods for a few days. Accompanied by our numerous
cousinsseven in totalwe had traveled from our home in Ohio to a remote cabin located by a river in Michigan.
The air was still crisp from the icy nature of winter, leaving its vestige in the budding months of spring. The
evenings were welcomed by our pallor skin, turning into beautiful burns that blossomed into sunkissed undertones
after several days; the nights were palpable torment as crimson blood froze in dead veins and the affliction of
winter elicited into the tent we resided in. We envied those lucky enough to sleep in that cramped cabinhow we
ached for the kiss of warmth on our flesh.
Lets go float down the river! I suggested to my cousin, Shannon.
If the day was hot enough, and the river bearable, we would float down on tubes to entertain ourselves.
We had done it once before and I was inclined to do it again several days later. Shannon agreed and we recruited
my brother, Dalton, to accompany along with us. Unfortunately, Jacob, my older cousin, was reluctant to join.
Fine. Sit here and be alone with the little kids. Youll have five of them to entertain you. Shannon
replied. It didnt persuade Jacob to go, though, so we set off without him.
The beautiful cerulean tubes glistened with a contrived radiance as we tossed them into the river, Dalton
shepherding them together. We carefully navigated from the bucolic shore into the murky water, shivering from
the chilled temperature.
Its cold, I complained, rubbing my hands along my arms, trying to diminish the goosebumps, and
sucking in my stomach instinctively as it made contact with the sharp, piercing water.
We just have to get used to it, Shannon said, hopping up onto the edge of her tube and sliding into a
sitting position, her feet propped up to the sun.
Dalton and I followed suit. After getting in the correct positions, we all paddled over to each other,
grabbing the handles on the opposite tubes, and linking together in an indestructible chain, so as not to lose each
other. The current took us, as quick and unexpected as deaths osculation. We chatted amongst ourselves and
observed the beautiful scenery that was laid out before us. Towering foliage dipped down, as if bending under the

Schmaltz 2
firmaments demands, and reached towards us, shading our pallid visages as we gazed upon them. Fish darted
around us, avoiding possible danger, and birds soared under the billowing clouds of white. It was almost perfect,
but inevitably broken by the sonorous voice of another.
I wanna go back. Its too cold! my brother whined.
I sighed. Of course, he had to ruin it.
We cant just go back! I exclaimed. But the breeze and water were implementing teeth chattering and
numbness in my body. I was clandestinely hoping that Shannon would agree with Dalton; I wanted to turn around,
as well.
Shannon contemplated it for a bit as we continued to glide along, the river undulating beneath us, licking
our lower backs in tormenting bursts of affection.
Dalton abruptly jumped out of his tube, sucking in his breath as the cool impact made contact with his
skin. Im going back no matter what you guys say.
I shook my head in fake frustration. Stop it! You know we cant just leave you!
I dont care, Im going.
The blue tube began to create rapid ripples through the water as Dalton slowly began to swim away from
us.
Well, we better go, too. And it wont take us that long to get backweve only been floating for a few
minutes, Shannon explained, tugging her raft along towards Dalton.
We began to make our way back to that archaic cabin in the woods, but like our vitality, it was plagued
with many trials. I yearned to get out of that water as quickly as possible, so naturally, I began to trek ahead of my
comrades.
I remember the feeling of fatigue as I quickly noticed how robust the current was. It was a surging, rushing
waterfall against my thin, frail legs that kept me from advancing very far. I attempted to use the rivers bottom as a
foothold, but the current did everything in its power to prevent that from happening. And not even for a second
could I repose, for I would inevitably end back up where I was five minutes preceding that.
Every so often I would glance back, irritation increasing as I watched my brother and cousin picking up
stones that were scattered around the waters edge. I wanted them to hurry up so we could get out of there.
Forget them. Im going to die of frostbite if I dont escape this hell. For the river was a swirling hurricane against
me, and the frustration and panic was rising in my throat. Tears welled up in my eyes as I tried to pacify the anxiety
eliciting from my body. The current was so strong. So hard to fight against. I was so tired. So frozen.
I had come across an embankment of foliage and sand, yet it was inhabited by geese. Weve all heard the
horror storiesgeese can turn violent and volatile at any second, seemingly triggered by nothing. I wasnt going to
possess one of those stories if I could help it. In order to do so, however, I had to swim over to the opposite side of
the river, which was a hill of rocks that threatened to tumble down upon me at any second. Die from a geese
attack or pummeled to a pulp by rocks? I chose the rocks.
My hands were drenched and kept slipping as I tried to cling to the rocks, so I had to fight the current
once more. It was so tiring; I was exhausted from the exercise. Not to mention, the panic and aggravation of the
situation made the entire thing even worse.
Hope finally manifested as I rounded the bend, away from the geese, and saw the glorious cabin in the
distance. A new sense of invigoration sprouted within me, a catalyst that propelled me toward the shore. I paddled
with all my might and collapsed on the shore, drained.
I laughed, as one does after being in an uncomfortable and traumatizing situation, before I looked back
and realized that my cousin and brother were not in view. Oh no, I thought. I left them. I have to go back for them.
I shouldnt have deserted them. Oh God, what have I done?
My ponderings were interrupted by Jacob who had wandered over to me.
What are you doing here? he asked, confusion evident in his face.
TheShannon and Dalton---theyre still out there. I have to go back for them! The currents too strong. I
have to go back! I sputtered, attempting to get back into the water.
Horror manifested on his visage. Mom and Matt are going to get you. Then, he took off running.

Schmaltz 3
Oh God. Weve been trying to get back for two hours.
I watched the river, my insides twisting with fear.
Jacob returned with my Aunt at his side. She darted into the water, grabbed my lone raft, and set out
after the two I had abandoned. I could only watch with anxiety, sickening disgust at myself growing rapidly.
When their bodies appeared as they rounded the bend, I felt a quick sense of relief, but I could feel the
panic rising as I thought of the many consequences that would be inflicted upon us.
Nothing did end up happening after that. We apologized a myriad of times, acknowledged how stupid we
were to have turned around and attempting to fight such a robust current. It was quite a terrifying time; I felt so
helpless, so miniscule. I have felt so guilty for leaving those two behind, even three years after the incident. Now, I
never leave anyone behind. And I never try to fight the current that is pushing me in one direction, even if the
trials are difficult, just because I feel like going a different way.