Keeping Atlantis

By Robert Gomez

Rey Castaneda had it all. With a beautiful girlfriend, a job he loved, and plans for an even brighter future, the fact that his home — the modern-day island of Atlantis — was sinking was merely an afterthought. Then his girlfriend dumped him, his plans were ruined, his job was a nightmare, and Atlantis was sinking!

Faced with an uncertain future, Rey had never felt more alone. But when he has reason to believe his favorite little swimmer, Cora, is being beaten at home, he feels a responsibility to act — quickly — so he kidnaps her. With Rey desperate for purpose and Cora just happy to be alive, neither fully realizes the magnitude of the situation until they find themselves in way over their heads.

As Rey toils through his first crack at fatherhood, he discovers that the problems plaguing Atlantis run far deeper than the island’s sinking — and there might be a way to save it. But saving the country you’re on the run from is no easy task...will doing it while raising someone else’s child make it impossible?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert Gomez
• Release date: Feb 11, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301310500

Robert Gomez

Robert Gomez is an up-and-coming author originally from Troy, MI, currently residing in Chicago, IL. When he isn’t writing or working, he enjoys traveling, playing water polo, and performing with his band, the Submarine Racers. Keeping Atlantis is Robert Gomez’s first novel, inspired by a 2011 trip to the Mediterranean as well as his own struggles to relate to his young swimmers — none of whom he kidnapped — while coaching a youth swim team during college.

Book preview

KEEPING ◊ ATLANTIS

By Robert Gomez

Dedicated to

Parsley, Bubba, & Medusa

Copyright © 2012 by Robert Gomez

Smashwords Edition

Cover Design © 2012 by Robert Balavitch

Edited by Kristina Levitt

The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

www.keepingatlantis.com

◊ Table of Contents ◊

◊1◊

Coach Rey’s Circus

◊2◊

D!scotheque S!x

◊3◊

Vanilla Ice Cream

◊4◊

The Flight of the Warbler-Daddy

◊5◊

Darren the Dinosaur

◊6◊

Honey Bunches of Goats

◊7◊

The New Detective

◊8◊

Barclay Chase

◊9◊

Cleito’s Tears

◊10◊

Florian the Top Hatter

◊11◊

LeMasqué

◊12◊

The Dinghy on the Bay

◊13◊

The Mean Boy Who Shoves

◊14◊

The Ridgemen

◊15◊

The Legend of Atlantis

◊16◊

Mommy Wars

◊17◊

Temptations and Fire Spheres

◊18◊

The Warbler Returns

◊19◊

An Unexpected Encounter

◊20◊

Talk of the Town

Keeping ◊ Atlantis

A lone man’s traipse on top of mountain peaks

Remiss of thought of days and months and years

Indifferent to what of he may bespeak

His view is one no other man will share

A bartered night atop his shattered home

A land that once bore fruit above its boon

The man stuck on his friend walks through the drone

Entrusted last preventer of its doom

Alas, no praised nobility is his

The man’s transgressions are what bound him here

And though his own self-discipline forbids

His spirit, sound of mind, doth not appear

The sunken island that this man must traipse

Conceals beneath the water others’ scrapes

◊1◊

Coach Rey’s Circus

Six months before the sinking of Atlantis…

Toby!

With a creak and a bang, the old, over-taut gate slammed shut behind a tall man with scraggly brown hair. Emerging from the cool shadows of the parking lot, the man strode across the damp concrete pool deck, side-stepping an errant pair of pink goggles before stopping at the edge of the pool. Only a small sliver of sunlight had managed to creep through the tree branches that surrounded the pool area. Somehow, as if it were its life’s purpose, the bright yellow beams found their way to the man’s chrome sunglasses lenses, causing a glare that reflected all around the worn country club, drawing every eager child’s and restless mother’s attention to—

Toby, exclaimed the portly boy again. Hi, Toby! How’s it going?

Trevor, said the man, removing his sunglasses, you know my name isn’t Toby.

From the other side of the black rusted fence that separated the parking lot from the pool deck, a half dozen middle-aged women bumped elbows as they each eagerly waved at the rather good-looking man, now that he was in clear view. He grimaced for a quick second before returning his attention to the boy who was trying his hardest to ignore the kisses that his mother was blowing at his swim coach.

Yeah, but you look like a Toby to me, said Trevor.

Alright then, said the man, fixing his shades to the collar of his t-shirt, revealing a warm pair of forest green eyes, then I’m going to start calling you Billy. You look like a Billy to me.

Trevor looked like he just swallowed his tongue, a clear overreaction in the man-not-named-Toby’s book.

That’s silly, Coach Rey. My older brother’s name is Billy and he doesn’t look anything like me, said Trevor, shaking his head before walking towards an unkempt pile of kickboards.

Gradually stretching out his long arms like a rusted switchblade, Rey let out an extended sigh which painlessly eased into a slight yawn. Rattling his head in an attempt to wake himself, Rey headed towards the small coaches’ office to see if Dani, the other coach, had arrived yet. He had barely taken three steps, though, before he was intercepted again.

Coach Rey, said a small red-headed girl with faintly-freckled cheeks as she tapped her coach on his shoulder.

Eleanor! exclaimed Rey. How was your trip? I heard you went to the capital — how did you like Atlantis?

It was okay, said the girl with a tinge of childhood sadness. My dad really wanted to go for some reason and dragged me and my brothers along. It was cool but kind of boring.

"What!? I wish I could have gone to Atlantis when I was a kid! I think it’s a blast — there’s so much to do!"

Rey had actually visited the capital of Atlantis — also called Atlantis — the previous weekend. He had made a few similar trips over the past few years but wanted to see the capital one last time before he and his girlfriend, Megan, made their move to Florida.

Until recently, the hoopla surrounding the island’s impending sinking had caused an astronomical tourism spike, making for crowds that were simply too large for Rey to enjoy the city. But once the countdown to the scientists’ estimated sinking date crept towards the six-month mark, most of the casual visitors shied away, which meant one thing: No lines. This was especially critical for Rey, as he always liked everything to go according to plan, including vacations. Big crowds and long lines seldom lent to that.

Seriously, Eleanor, continued Rey, "there’s so much to do there, you had to like something. What about Poseidon’s Circus?"

Eleanor struggled to suppress a grin.

That was pretty nice, I guess, she relented.

The capital, as a city ripe with history, had always been the most popular destination on the island-nation of Atlantis. Located in the center of the country, there were enough preserved ruins to satisfy the history buff with enough shopping to satisfy his wife. But no matter one’s reason for visiting Atlantis, nearly everyone agreed that Poseidon’s Circus was the piece de resistance.

In a luscious green park located at the southwestern base of Mt. Atlantis laid a series of ten blue-marble statues depicting each one of the Greek God of the Sea’s children — namesakes for all but one of Atlantis’ states. Legend had it that in the late 17th Century, a notorious, yet unnamed Italian sculptor offered to pay the Atlantean government to let him build the colossal figures, as it would be an honor to attach his name to the burgeoning culture of late-Renaissance Atlantis. [The Italians had a different theory for why the Atlanteans never paid their sculptor for his work…just another bullet point in the long, historical list of criticisms of Atlantis’ government.]

I knew it! Which one’s your favorite? Everyone’s got one.

My favorite statue was Atlas because he was big…and strong…and was standing on, like, five horses that were all on fire! announced Eleanor, almost too quickly to comprehend.

Wow, said Rey dryly, his dimply cheeks grinning at Eleanor’s sudden enthusiasm. I always liked Azaes. He looks so humble and reserved, yet you can tell in his eyes that he sees more than the others.

"Yeah…well, I liked that one, too," added Eleanor, smiling back, an unspoken signal that she had enjoyed the trip far more than she let on.

Right, so you did enjoy the capital after all, said Rey smugly. And you went somewhere else, too, right?

Yeah, we went to St. Alban’s for a day — that was okay — and we stopped in Merrimack to see my grandparents. They’re boring, though. All they do is sit around and do puzzles...

The happiness was fading from Eleanor’s face, and Rey fully understood why. He could see how a ten-year-old girl who had just been trapped in a car for eleven hours with her dad and three younger brothers might find sitting around a coffee table all afternoon looking for a probably-lost thumb-sized puzzle piece of a tabby-cat-in-an-Easter-basket’s left ear to be a tiny bit dull.

Hey, at least you got a chance to visit family. I bet you had fun seeing them, and I’m sure they loved seeing you.

I guess…Hey! Do you wanna see my new dance?

Rey sighed.

Sure, he agreed reluctantly, looking over Eleanor’s shoulder to see if he could spot Dani’s trademark green sweatpants walking about the coach’s office. There was no such sight.

Eleanor, not noticing that Rey was only partially paying attention to her, started wiggling her hips back and forth and bouncing her knees up and down while her lanky arms rotated in a funky little cha-cha. Three other girls, who had been watching Eleanor, came over and tried copying the quirky moves. Soon enough, they were all dancing to the unheard rumba. Taking advantage of the morning’s first moment when he was not the center of attention, Rey slipped away unseen.

Rey, shouted a slender young woman from across the pool. Rey turned around to finally see his friend, Dani, helping a sleepy little girl get her swim cap on.

Dani had started coaching the Olden Bay Youth Swim Club (or OBYSC as it was more affectionately known) around the same time as Rey, and they had become pretty good friends because of it. Dani was nearly twenty-four, but she had the kind of youthful looks that, if you didn’t know any better, made her look as if she was still in intermediate school. Because of this, Dani was often mistaken for one of the swimmers, resulting in the majority of the authoritarian burden of practices falling on Rey. Though, when necessary, she had been known to turn up the volume…

Late night? said Dani as she adjusted her caramel brown hair into a neat pony tail.

No, yawned Rey, wiping the remaining sleepies from his eyes before cracking a small smile, just a really early morning.

Rey surveyed the pool deck, counting the number of swimmers in attendance as he always did before letting the kids get in the pool.

Actually, I was at Megan’s pretty late and these morning practices aren’t helping the cause, continued Rey as he finished his counting.

Dani opened her mouth as if she wanted to ask a question but Rey cut her—

EVERYONE IN THE POOL!!!

At once, a hundred tiny feet scurried towards the pool as the enthusiasm for getting into the cool, sparkling blue water on this hot sticky morning quickly dissolved any lingering signs of lethargy.

OBYSC was comprised of about a half century of children who either loved going to swim practice or were forced to join by parents who desperately needed a midday break from them. The saving grace for Coaches Dani and Rey, however, was that Atlantis got extremely hot very early in the summer, so getting the kids into the water at the start of morning practices was surprisingly painless.

You were going to ask something, said Rey, returning his attention to Dani.

Uhh, she stammered, pausing to think. I was going to ask you…what you were planning on having our little sock skippers work on today?

Before Rey had a chance to reply, a flurry of dark-brown fluff whizzed by the two coaches.

Kyle, snapped Dani, shaking her head in disbelief. What have we said about running on the pool deck? And what’s up with you being late every day? C’mon kid, grab your kickboard and get started.

Kyle stomped away, ending the first act in the daily performance of The Battle of Coach Dani’s Nerve. Today, however, Rey noticed something different: Kyle had a black eye. And despite not turning purple and blue yet, it was pretty noticeable. Who could have done that to him? His parents?

Rey knew the type of people Kyle’s parents were. Every day they would drop their nine-year-old son off at practice —late — never stay, and then return fifteen minutes after every other parent and child had gone home. In fact, in Rey’s two years of coaching Kyle, he had never talked to his parents, not once. Never at practice, never at a swim meet, never even at a required bi-annual parents’ meeting.

Did you see that? Unbelievable, said Rey, his eyes still transfixed on Kyle as the boy sprinted towards the kickboard pile.

See what? said Dani, who was readjusting her pony tail. Kyle, leave Finn alone!

As soon as Kyle had grabbed his kickboard, he ran towards the pool. Instead of getting in and starting his swimming warm-up that the other kids were doing, he stood over the edge, waiting for Finn, the palest, quietest boy on the team, so he could throw his kickboard at him. Finn, as usual, just took it. His strategy seemed to be to ignore his bully in hopes that he would eventually tire of tormenting him and move on to another victim.

Rey looked around to make sure there were no parents within earshot.

Did you see Kyle’s black eye? he hissed to Dani.

Oh? I guess he does have a little something going on there, she said lightly. Suddenly, she tensed up again at the sight of Kyle spitting water at the back of Finn’s head. Dani smacked her hands on her forehead and shouted, For the last time, Kyle, leave Finn alone!

But I was just trying to pass him, whined Kyle. He’s so slow and won’t let me get by!

Then wait until you get to a wall and pass him there. You can’t spit on people to get your way, said a visibly-frustrated Dani.

Kyle, hop out for a second, chimed in Rey. Kyle threw his head back and rolled his eyes in the snottiest way possible before climbing out of the water.

I was just trying to swim like I’m s’posed to but Finn gets in my way on purpose and gets me in trouble, complained the boy.

Kyle, started Dani, you need to stop worrying about everyone else and just do your—

Kyle, interrupted Rey, what happened to your eye?

Nothing, he grumbled before returning to the pool to resume his warm-up. Dani cocked her head at Rey. The concern on her Rey’s face was growing and he didn’t seem to notice her confusion over his lack of concern about Kyle’s bullying.

I think his dad hit him, stated Rey. See how he doesn’t want to talk about it? I bet he hit him.

Um, yeah, that’s one theory, said Dani shortly. Kyle’s always messing with other kids, though…he probably just messed with one who wasn’t afraid to put him in his place. I wish Finn would do that.

Rey wasn’t listening.

"I don’t understand how a father could do that to their kid. It’s just horrible."

Sensing Rey was going on one of his tangents (that she knew she couldn’t stop) she let the matter go. There was really nothing to be gained from arguing, so she’d give Rey his space and revisit the matter in a few minutes when he’d be back to normal again. That’s usually how it went.

Coach Rey, squealed a tiny girl in a pink beret. Rey wheeled his head around to see the wide grin of Cora Nelson galloping towards his outstretched arms. Her skinny six-year-old hands clung tightly around Rey’s neck as he picked her up to see she was now missing one of her front teeth.

Cora, where is your tooth? You’re missing one! exclaimed Rey.

I know, Coach Rey, panted the little girl. When she spoke, she opened her mouth slightly wider than necessary which Rey found to be oddly adorable. "It’s been gone for almost a month. Now I’ve got one waaay back here that’s wiggly. I’ve been wigglin’ it all day, but it won’t come out," shrugged Cora.

Rey could not help but chuckle as he set Cora back down on the ground. Once the little girl skipped off to get her kickboard, her mother, Mrs. Nelson, slid in.

Mrs. Nelson was the exact opposite of Kyle’s parents. When she dropped Cora off at practice or picked her up, she always made it a point to talk to Rey. Every day she would gab his ear off about the new shirt she had just bought, or her most recent favorite restaurant that just closed, even, on one unfortunate occasion, her latest gyno appointment (save for the juicy details, thankfully) Though she was genuinely pleasant to look at — two children notwithstanding — her uncomfortably flirtatious nature caused Rey to internally cringe every time she approached.

Hi, Rey, said Mrs. Nelson warmly. "Sorry for being late. You wouldn’t believe the fuss Cora put up about coming today. But I was firm — I told her that Coach Rey was going to be at practice and all of sudden she was soo excited to come. I just knew that if anyone could get her to come it would be you, Coach Rey, she said, smiling. And here we are! Savannah, can you say ‘Hi’ to Coach Rey?"

A girl who was even smaller than Cora shyly peeked her head around Mrs. Nelson’s leg. Savannah took one look at Rey, blushed, and retreated back to her sanctuary behind her mom.

Well, I’m glad you made it. She’s been doing really well lately and I wouldn’t want her to miss a day, said Rey.

I wouldn’t want to either, said Mrs. Nelson, holding eye contact just long enough to make Rey twitch.

Alright everyone, listen up, yelled Rey to the swimmers. Today we are going to continue working on our backstroke kick. I want everyone to focus on making sure your hips are at the surface of the water and are heads are looking…

UP! screeched fifty united voices.

Exactly! Don’t let that chin drop.

Except during our flips, right Coach Rey? added a dark boy with green goggles.

That’s right, Luke, said Rey. Did everybody hear that? Luke says to let your chin drop to your chest during your flip turns. If you can do a flip, do exactly as Luke said.

Luke put his hand up for a high five to Trevor, who scoffed at the offer.

Our first set is ten twenty-fives backstroke swim! shouted Rey. "That’ll be eight for you nippers in lane one. I want good, long arms and great legs. First group leaves on the top. Ready…Go!"

On cue, one by one, the kids pushed off the wall and started kicking furiously to the other end of the pool, their arms struggling to keep up as they riddled the water with their splashing feet. Cora was the last one to start the set as she made sure to wave to her mom, her sister, Coach Rey, and even to what was left of the kickboard pile.

I’ve said it before, but I’m still so glad that they decided to add a summer swim program, began Mrs. Nelson, brushing an errant leaf from Rey’ shoulder. "You know, my husband is moving to California next week to work on some Tectonic Monitoring Unit and us girls won’t know what to do without him — thank God for Coach Rey!"

Rey, said Dani hurriedly, glaring in Mrs. Nelson’s direction, You’re going to start them on this next set, too, right? I was going to help Nikhil with his streamline. Thanks!

Mrs. Nelson looked intently to Rey who gave her an apathetic shrug. Time to work!

Oh! I’ll see you after practice then, sputtered Mrs. Nelson, exchanging snarky glances with Dani before departing with Savannah.

She has a crush on you, taunted Dani as soon as the gate closed behind Mrs. Nelson.

I don’t know about that, said Rey, subtly blushing. She does seem to enjoy talking to me, though.

Uh, ya!

Dani puffed her chest out and let down her hair, slowly waving it to-and-fro. Dani sang, "Oh Coach Rey, I just knew you could get Cora to come to practice, Coach Rey. She just loves to see you Coach Rey. I’m so glad you’re here, Coach Rey, and I can’t wait to see you again…"

That’s the most ridiculous impression I have ever seen, laughed Rey. "She doesn’t sound anything like that! She does say that, but she’s a bit more nasally."

They both laughed at Mrs. Nelson’s behavior and Dani’s interpretation of it.

Though both Rey and Dani generally enjoyed coaching the kids’ swim team, they agreed that they did so despite the absurd behavior of some of the parents. Sure there were a few more like Kyle’s, but there were many more who were closer to Mrs. Nelson, though not as overtly flirtatious.

Mrs. Nickodemus, for example, always worried that her daughter was doing too difficult of swim sets while in reality her daughter always complained to the coaches that practices were too easy (and that her mom was too worrisome). Mr. Victorino, on the other hand, always seemed to forget that his son was on a swim team and not in some youth play group, which is why he never understood why the kids just swam back and forth all day long. Then there was Mrs. LaRocque who never thought anything the coaches did was good enough for her perfect little Gabrielle ("Her name is not Gabi!").

Halfway through the set, while most of the kids were still kicking away, a small head popped up from the side of the pool like a nautical prairie dog.

Hi, squeaked the girl.

Cora, keep swimming, said Dani firmly.

Okay, replied Cora, happily turning back around to continue the set.

Oh my God, sighed Dani, these kids are going to drive me insane! Dani glared at Kyle as he swam over top of Finn to pass him. Hey, did you see the email that Mrs. LaRocque sent?

No, I didn’t check my email this morning, replied Rey. What did she say?

Ohhh man, get ready for this. She says that she talked to the other parents and they all agree that we spend too much time ‘socializing’ at practices. She says we aren’t focused enough on watching their kids and ‘fostering their athletic growth.’

You’ve got to be kidding, said Rey. We talk when they’re swimming. We can watch them and talk at the same time. I think we’re evolved enough for that.

"Ya, that’s what I think. Plus, they have no idea how much time you put into planning out these practices and I guarantee she didn’t talk to any ‘other parents’ either. It’s just her and Mrs. Pitcock. She’s like her little spy. Ugh! I want to scream sometimes!"

And look who’s decided to stay and watch practice, observed Rey, nodding towards a particularly rigid-looking woman who was not-so-sneakily watching them through the small space between the top of her magazine and the brim of her flimsy white sunhat, Mrs. LaRocque.

Whatever, snapped Dani, She’ll probably come talk to us at some point, give us some advice or something. See, like, that’s what’s really distracting — all these parents keep talking to us during practice then they complain we talk too much. It’s their fault!

Yeah, but it’s part of the job, said Rey tepidly. It’s never changed and we’ve only got another month left before we’re out of here.

Dani looked away.

Speaking of, said Rey, the spark returning to his voice, you know what you’re doing yet?

Um, no, said Dani, turning red.

Rey frowned.

Dani, come on. You’ve need to start making some decisions. Megan and I’ve had Florida set since February. What are you waiting for — the island to sink?

While talking about his emigration strategy may have been Rey’s favorite topic as of late, Dani hated it. For Rey, he had a girlfriend and a destination and even a job interview lined up. Dani didn’t have any of that. She never went to college and had been forced into holding multiple odd jobs since she was sixteen just so she and her alcoholic mother and six younger brothers could get by. Maybe if she had her own life (and someone to share it with) she would have been more motivated to think about the future, but until then…

It’s just not a top priority right now, replied Dani. I’ll make some decisions before the sinking, just not yet.

I don’t know how you can be so nonchalant about all this, said Rey, shaking his head. I’d go crazy if I didn’t have a plan.

Oh, please don’t go crazy, pleaded Dani, "you’re the only person keeping me sane!"

Rey laughed; Dani smiled proudly.

As the kids finished up their first set, Rey got them started on a breaststroke drill while Dani continued battling Kyle by moving him to a different lane where he couldn’t bother Finn. Unfortunately, Nikhil proved to be a similarly tempting target, making him Kyle’s new prey.

Just ignore him, advised Finn to Nikhil when Kyle wasn’t looking.

As practice wore on, they got more settled into their usual coaching roles. Dani took up her typical perch on the north end of the pool so she could tell people when to go, while Rey went to edge of the west side so he could observe stroke technique and offer suggestions. Being the bright sunny morning that it was, Rey was very much enjoying coaching today. A bit of fresh air and some sun wasn’t the worst way to spend a summer morning, and watching the six- and seven-year-olds swim was always pretty cute.

Hi, squeaked Cora from the side of the pool.

Cora, why did you stop? smiled Rey. You’re only half way to the wall. Keep going.

I know…I just wanted to see how you were doing.

I’m fine, thanks, he laughed. Now keep going!

Okay, said Cora, still beaming as she swam off.

Cora was one of Rey’s favorite swimmers. She had started swimming at OBYSC when she could barely float and now she could swim all four competitive strokes. She even started competing in meets, something Rey was quite proud of her for.

In fact, Rey and Dani often talked about who their favorites and least favorites were — only when the kids couldn’t hear them, of course. These discussions were mostly in jest and, for the most part, were a small way of venting about the frustrations that come with working with so many young children, each with their own personality quirks, on a daily basis. And while they had always made a conscious effort to conceal their favoritism, some kids (Kyle) made that easier said than done.

Kyle, leave Nikhil alone!

Suddenly, Rey remembered Kyle’s black eye from earlier and how he wouldn’t talk about how he got it. Kyle really was a bully. Rey had never seen anyone ever mess with Kyle, even though Kyle certainly messed with everyone else, especially Finn. But while he was the top dog at OBYSC, he doubted he was the ruler at home. For some reason, Rey still thought his dad had given him the black eye rather than some 5th grader with a vendetta. If Kyle’s dad really was hitting him, though, he really should do something about it. As he was just starting to think about how to save Kyle, his thoughts were interrupted.

Hi — Coach Rey—

Rey looked straight down into the lane he was standing over to see Cora’s pink swim cap bobbing up and down in the water as she attempted the breaststroke drill he gave her. Every time she lifted her head out of the water to breath, she delivered a vital message to Coach Rey, one to two words at a time.

Hi — Coach Rey — it’s me — Cora — I’m swimming — just thought — you should — know!

That is very good Cora, you are so talented, said Rey wryly, loosening up again.

A few moments later, the young Atlantean swimmers trickled into the wall after finishing the breaststroke set, looking to Rey for the next set of instructions. The deeper the swimmers got into practice, the more awake they grew, and the more kid they became. This was around the time each day when Rey wished he would have given them harder sets to do so they’d be more tired and less hyper.

Three little girls who had been dancing with Eleanor earlier blew into the front of their swim suits so the top half would expand, inflating their chests which made them look like big girls. They all giggled when one of the girls started rubbing her air bubble and said she was pregnant. While Rey thought that their anatomical geography was a little off, he had to acknowledge that they were being more adorable than inappropriate so he let them have their fun.

Coach Rey, what do we do next? asked Trevor from lane three, his big blue goggles accentuating his chubby face.

Funny you should ask, said Rey as he cleared his throat before directing his voice at the entire group, because now we’ve got ten sprints kicking, all backstroke! Everyone grab your kickboard!

The older kids who wanted to get out of practice early groaned while the little kids who only enjoyed life cheered. Everyone grabbed their kickboards and, on Dani’s call, started the sprint set. Everyone that was, except for the littlest girl of them all.

Coach Rey, barked Cora, somebody took my kickboard and there isn’t another one in my lane!

Rey squatted down to Cora’s level. Well you can always go grab another kickboard from the pile, he said.

Somebody took my board yesterday, too, said Cora, furrowing her brows and crossing her arms. This is really gettin’ on my nerves. Cora let out a big sigh and conceded, But I shouldn’t get so frustrated. These things just happen sometimes.

There’s a brave trooper. Go and grab a nice blue kickboard and all will be better again, suggested Rey.

"I love blue!" squealed Cora, scampering toward the kickboard pile. She returned a moment later with a red one.

Mere moments later, as he was checking to make sure everyone was actually sprinting their kicks, Rey felt a light tug on his shorts. It was, of course, Cora.

Yesterday, my mom was baking cookies while I was eating lunch and I asked if I could have one, but she said they were still hot so I had to wait. But I couldn’t wait and my mom went to help my sister so I grabbed a cookie and took a BIG bite out of it and burned my mouth because it was hot but it was chocolate so I still liked it and then I lost a tooth!

Cora, said Dani as she briskly walked over to where Rey was standing, get in and start kicking.

Okay, said Cora as she jumped into the pool. Yippee!

Ugh, these kids are exhausting, moaned