The Condition: Sherri Douglas

In The Condition by Jennifer Haigh, Gwen and Courtney go out for a dive, swimming toward the reef.

"At the edge of the reef Gwen touched Courtney's shoulder, and pointed down. The ocean floor gave way here, sloping sharply downward; from where they hovered, the drop was probably a thousand feet. There were no words to express the shock, the sudden vertigo -- and then, the profound feeling of safety. Floating above the chasm, buoyant and perfectly balanced, was as close as you could come to flying. Gwen had experienced it dozens of times, but still the feeling overwhelmed her. She was gliding like a spirit who'd escaped its container. She had no body. It was the freest feeling she had ever known."