Morning began with the soft sound of the cat’s impatient paws on the floor, reminding me that her kingdom runs on both wet and dry provisions. Once the queen was fed, I crowned myself with breakfast, leftover pizza with field roast faux pepperoni, red bell pepper, and jalapeño, the kind of breakfast that makes the day feel like it already has a story to tell.

I slept in later than planned, but the phone rang, my doctor’s office calling with a friendly voice to pin a future date for next month. Time marked in the calendar, then off to the gym.

I gave the machines their due, the quiet clank and hum of effort, before making my way to the pool. The water greeted me like an old friend, warm and welcoming. No one else in sight. Just me, ripples, and the echo of each stroke in the stillness.

Sometimes the best part of the day is the part where you are the only one in it.