Neddy Merrill plans to
“swim the Lucinda stream” to get back home. He actually swims in the
neighborhood swimming pools one after another to reach his destination. The
story first takes place in the summer, but as the story develops, yellow leaves
fall and winter sets in. He sees winter sky Andromeda and Cassiopeia
constellations. As Ned swims in the pools, he encounters various people and
families but somehow feels forgetful. He becomes so weak and tired that he
wonders whether he can safely reach his house. But when he reaches it, it was
empty. His wife and his daughters are gone.
On the
surface, Ned’s plan is carried out as he planned, but in the deep bottom, he
transforms from a vigorous man into a feeble, forgetful, Alzheimer's patient. The
story develops with two different time spans. One lasts within one day, but the
other covers his life. A mysterious story.