Chapter 10
From her spot on the pool steps, little Mia bit her bottom lip.
She and Maggie had started out playing with squirt toys, then progressed to a breath-holding contest. Maggie had just demonstrated
putting her face in the water while holding her breath, then asked Mia to give it a try.
Mia’s wide green eyes flickered with fear. “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“It’s too scary.”
“What do you think might happen?”
Her niece smoothed her hands over the surface of the water. “I could drown.”
“But I’m right here. I’m an expert swimmer and I’d never let that happen. I wonder if you could hold your breath and put your
face to the water just for a quick second. I’ll be right here the whole time.”
“You won’t let me drown?”
“Of course not.”
“You teach big kids to swim?”
“I do. They’re already very good swimmers and I teach them how to get even better.”
“Owen can swim real good. He says I’m a baby.”
“You’re not a baby. Lots of people get nervous in the water. It’s okay to feel scared. But the important thing is to overcome that fear. Because learning to stay safe in the water is very important.”
“’Cause what if I fell in?”
“That’s right. It’s all about safety. Once you learn to swim, you won’t have to be afraid of the water anymore.”
Mia stared into the pool. That familiar pattern danced through the water as light refracted against the ripples. “Can I hold
my nose?”
“Of course.”
She seemed to deliberate for a full ten seconds. “Okay, I’ll try. Just for a quick second.”
Maggie bit back a smile. “Whenever you’re ready, take a big breath and hold it.”
Mia grabbed the railing. A moment later her cute little face took on a battle-like expression. Then she sucked in a breath,
held her nose, and went face down in the water.
She was back up in a flash, water streaming down her cheeks. Her spiky lashes opened to gleaming eyes as her face broke into
a dimpled smile. “I did it!”
Maggie hugged her. “You did great! You held your breath and put your whole face in, just like an old pro.”
“It was easy.”
“That’s only because you’re so brave.”
“How’s it going out here?” Erin called through the French doors.
Mia jumped up from her stoop and water dripped at her feet as she dashed toward her mom. “I’m an old pro, Mommy.”
“Is that so? You’ll have to tell me all about it.” Erin beamed at her daughter. She’d been inside making cookies with Zoey
while Maggie worked with Mia.
This was a good place to stop. Maggie eased from the water.
“Oh no you don’t,” Erin called. “You stay and enjoy a nice long swim while the girls and I finish up the cookies.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
Mia was still rambling about her accomplishment when the door closed.
Maggie walked around to the deep end. She and Erin had agreed on twice a week for lessons, and Maggie was pleased with the
progress Mia had made with this first one. Each small step would go a long way toward building her confidence.
As Maggie reached the end of the pool, she pulled down her goggles. It was hard to believe it was only Wednesday. The week
was passing like a kidney stone as she awaited the trip to Rock Hill. She and Josh had looked for Ethan’s twin at the beach,
at several of his favorite restaurants, and down at the pier. A couple of people on the pier thought he seemed familiar but
couldn’t provide any practical help.
She glanced back at the house. She felt guilty for hiding this monumental secret from her best friend. But it would be unkind
to raise Erin’s hopes unnecessarily.
At the other end of the pool, Maggie lined her toes up on the curved edge. It had been a few weeks since she’d been in the
water for a real swim. The end of a school year was hectic, and when she’d managed to make it to the Y, she always had Zoey
along. But now with her daughter in Erin’s capable hands, the thought of diving into that liquid heaven brought a smile to
her face.
She bent her knees, aligned her hands, tucked her head, and sprang from the edge. She sliced into the pool hands first, barely aware of the coolness as the water sluiced over her skin. She completed her pullout and began swimming freestyle, falling into an easy rhythm, a little slow as her body awakened.
Swimming was as easy, as natural, as breathing for her. The water was like home. A place where she was always welcome. A place
where she felt safe and free, at peace. Cocooned from the world and all its troubles.
Her legs fluttered fluidly and her arms windmilled through the water. Catch and pull. Catch and pull. Catch and pull. Breathe.
When she reached the wall, she did a flip, placed her feet on the wall, and got a good push—an arrow shot from a quiver. Her
body glided effortlessly through the water, aerodynamic.
At the surface she lifted an arm, kicked a leg, her face in the water, her lungs still full of oxygen. She was reborn. Her
mind, now fully engaged, focused on the physical. She found her rhythm with the water and her speed increased. She could swim
to Aruba.
It may have been weeks but her muscles knew what to do. Once again her body cruised through the water, taking her to that
mindless place, that dreamlike space where she was free from worry and fear and grief.