Blessings By The Ocean

By Louis Tabor

"Blessings By the Ocean is a fast-moving, action-packed, heartwarming story that will challenge your feelings and imagination. The story is narrated by the main character, Oscar (Ski) Jankowski. Ski is a young man who recently out of high school working in a coal mine in Halifax, Pennsylvania. He has a gr

• Language: English
• Publisher: ReadersMagnet LLC
• Release date: Jun 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9798890910721

Louis Tabor

Born on April 16, 1944, in Shamokin, Pennsylvania a small coal mining town. Grew up in the inner city of Baltimore, Maryland, and lived there for approximately twenty years. Received an athletic scholarship from the University of Baltimore and attended graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh and The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Majority of education was in marketing and finance. Was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army as a Platoon Sergeant during the Vietnam War. My business career included working as a General Manager for AT&T, President of Litton Network Systems, and Chief Operations Officer (COO) for Virginia Transfer Corporation. Presently retired living in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina for the past twenty-two years. Has been married for 58 years and has a deceased daughter and one granddaughter. Loves playing golf, working in the yard, and being active in his church. Other published books are "Spread Your Wings," "Thunder in the City," "Challenges of the Heart," and "Times of Courage."

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Blessings by The Ocean

Copyright © 2023 by Louis Tabor

Published in the United States of America

ISBN Paperback: 979-8-89091-070-7

ISBN Hardback: 979-8-89091-071-4

ISBN eBook: 979-8-89091-072-1

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author except as provided by USA copyright law.

The opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of ReadersMagnet, LLC.

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Interior design by Dorothy Lee

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 1

X

It was April 24, 1974 which just happened to be my twenty-first birthday but there would be no party or celebration. I would go to Sam’s Bar and have a couple beers with my buddies like I have been doing since I was a senior in high school. Halifax, Pennsylvania was a slow dying town and once Carson Coal Mine closed, it would be a ghost town. Like most kids I couldn’t wait to get out of high school into the adult world. Working in the coal mine the last several years, I quickly realized what a shitty life this is. Everybody that had a chance to leave Halifax did including my uncles and aunt who moved to up-state New York. My uncles worked in road construction and often told me to come up with them. If figured life up there would just be the same as here. Instead of going down in the mine, I would be working down in a ditch. That is not what I was looking for but I knew it was time to leave Halifax.

I was living with my grandmother in her seventy-year-old house with a coal furnace. My father was killed in the Korean War and my wonderful mother dropped me on my grandmother’s steps never to be seen again. My grandmother did a great job raising me but she was well up in age and didn’t have many years left. I think if I wasn’t here with her, she would have go to New York to live with her other daughter. The only problem I had with my grandmother is that she called me Oscar. I was baptized Oscar Jankowski but all my friends called me Ski because of my Polish name and the fact that I hated the name Oscar. When my friends would come to the house and called me Ski, my grandmother would quickly inform them that my name was Oscar not Ski. They had a lot of laughs calling me Oscar over and over again but I would just go along with them for my grandmother.

I had an old girlfriend, Joy Drabomiski, in high school. I thought we were deeply in love. After we graduated, she packed up and went to a nursing school in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania never to return again. I last thing I heard from her was that she was a nurse at Memorial Hospital and was dating some doctor. I guess I was wrong about the deeply in love part. However, I couldn’t blame her for following her dream to become a nurse. I had wished many times that I had a dream for myself. My best friend Ted Smith had joined the army right out of high school but I wanted no parts of that even with the Vietnam War coming to an end. The one good thing about Halifax is there isn’t much too do. Most of my friends just boozed their money away at Sam’s Bar but I really didn’t like getting shit-faced and would only go to Sam’s a couple days a week for my two-beer limit. This really helped, because now I had over $5,000 in my bank account which I would need when I decided to move on.

Coal mining was a really hard job. You would go down into the mine when it was dark and sometimes come out when it was dark. Your clothes and entire body would be black from coal dust. When I got home in the evenings I was totally exhausted and coughed from the coal dust. Even my grandmother would tell me to get the hell out of the mine. Sometimes I would think that I was kidding myself about leaving Halifax because here it was three years after high school and I had no idea where to move to or just go. My grandmother had middle-aged neighbors, Dan and Sophie Cooper. Dan Cooper was a truck driver and Sophie was a stay-at-home wife and very pretty. In the summer their niece from Germantown, Maryland would come and visit them for a couple weeks. Sally Cooper was a senior in high school and had just turned eighteen. Sophie Cooper would always ask me to show Sally around so she would have something to do. We would go to the movies, roller skating, or she would come to my softball games. We became good friends and there was no romance involved in our relationship.

One night we were sitting on the front porch swing just talking about everything. I decided to tell her my problem. She listened very carefully and understood my situation. Then Sally started asking questions. Ski, what are you? About six-feet tall, 190 pounds all muscle, with blonde hair and baby blue eyes?

Okay, where are you going with this?

Well, every summer my parents go to Ocean City, Maryland and when I see the lifeguards, they remind me of you.

Are you suggesting? I become a lifeguard. I’m not that good of a swimmer!

I know that, but you could train in the fall and winter at the YMCA pool and in the spring go to Ocean City and see if you could qualify for their lifeguard training course before the summer starts. I am sure somebody at the Y knows a lot about swimming and could help you.

I will have to think about this. You know my Uncle Louie has a house in Ocean City. I could ask him if I could stay there for the try-outs.

Now you are talking, big boy. Get the hell out of Halifax.

Thanks for talking with me Sally.

I hated to see Sally go back home because I had nobody to talk with and she was very smart for her age. I decided to go check out the YMCA pool and see if they had anybody who knew a lot about swimming and being a lifeguard. At the desk they told me to go to the pool area and asked for Tyler Monroe. The pool was filled with a lot of kids since school was out and a young guy watching over them.

How are you doing? I am looking for Tyler Monroe.

He is over there in his office, as he pointed the direction. I walked slowly to his office and wandered if I was kidding myself about becoming a lifeguard. Right now, the odds were really against me. I looked in the office and there was an old man about seventy-years-old sitting at the desk reading the newspaper with his coffee. Excuse me, I am looking for Tyler Monroe.

You found him. What the hell do you want?

At that point I was ready to turn around and walk out of his office. You got a tongue boy? Speak up!

The lady at the front desk said you might be able to help me.

Yea, with what?

I want to become a lifeguard at Ocean City, Maryland next summer.

And I want a thirty-year-old girlfriend just to look at.

Well, help me out and I’ll see what I can do for you.

Tyler laughed out loud. Can you swim?

Just enough to get by.

What the hell makes you want to be a lifeguard at the ocean?

To be honest, I hate working at Carson’s coal mine and want to do something to help out people.

Go put your bathing suit on and then come get me.

As I left Tyler’s office, I noticed all of his trophies and he had two gold medals from the Olympics. He must have been a great swimmer in his younger days.

I changed into my bathing suit and went back to his office. When he walked out with me to the pool area, he had to use a cane. I looked down at the cane.

What’s the problem son? Haven’t you seen a cane before?

I am sorry sir.

Where in the hell did you get that swimming suit? You sure it isn’t your grandfather’s?

I told you, I don’t swim much.

Get in the pool and swim from one end to the other end.

I’m not sure I can make that distance.

Then you will sink to the bottom of the pool.

I jumped in the pool and walked and walked to the far end. I looked back and dove in the water and started swimming as fast as I could. At about three-fourths of the way I was done and had to doggie paddle to the end.

Son, you might want to consider staying at the coal mine. I have five-year-old kids who can swim better than you.

Are you going to help me or not old man?

First of all, you call me old man again and you will find this cane alongside of your head. You call me Mr. Tyler or Mr. Monroe for now. What the hell is your name anyway?

I am Oscar Jankowski. All my friends call me Ski.

I’m not your friend so I will call you Oscar. You know there has never been a good Pollock swimmer? They all drink too much beer.

I only have a couple beers a week. I have never in my life been drunk.

Okay, Oscar, here is the deal. I will help you for one month but you will probably quit sooner. You have to do everything I tell you or I will quit first. What time do you get off from work at the mine?

Usually, about four o’clock, unless I have to work overtime.

Starting tomorrow, you meet me here at six o’clock. If you have to work overtime call me. Now, go downtown to the sporting goods store and buy yourself a swimming speed-o. Then burn that suit you have on.

Yes, Mr. Tyler, and thanks a lot.

I could not believe what a speed-o bathing suit looked like. It was no bigger than a handkerchief. When I tried one on, I had this big bulge in the front of the suit which made me a little self-conscious. As I kept looking down at myself the store owner said, Don’t worry about that son. It will sink up in the water, and she laughed. I bought a black and navy blue one and wanted nothing to do with the bright colored ones. When I got home, I was all excited about swimming and talked my grandmother’s ear off. Of course, she was a good listener and nodded her head every now and then. I decided not to tell my friends or the guys would bug me to death because they would think it was stupid to waste my time.

The next day I could not wait for work to be over. I quickly got home cleaned up and had something to eat and to the YMCA I went. I got there about five-thirty, changed into my speed-o and thought I would swim a little to warm up. At six o’clock Mr. Tyler came out of his office and saw me in the swimming pool.

Oscar, what the hell are you doing? Get your ass out of the pool.

I could tell he was really pissed. As I apologized to him, Mr. Tyler I was just warming up.

Boy, let’s get something straight up front. If we are going to work together you do what I tell you when you come to swim. You do nothing but what I tell you.

I am sorry Mr. Tyler, I understand now.

Get your ass in my office. I do like the speed-o. Every time you come here, I want you to watch this ten-minute video tape until I tell you not too. I want you to picture yourself as the swimmer in the video and think about his arm movement. The way he cuts through the water.

After the video, Mr. Tyler walked out to the pool with me. He carried a little bench for him to sit on and he walked with a cane to the pool. Oscar, get in the pool right here by the wall where I am sitting.

I jumped in and could not figure out what he wanted me to do. The water was a little above my waist. I looked up to him for instructions. Now, bend over and put your head under the water and keep it there until you can’t breathe anymore.

I put my head under the water and held my breath for what I thought was a long time. I popped my head out of the water and was breathing very heavy. You mean to tell me that is it? I know five-year-old kids who can stay under longer than that. I told you Pollocks are not made to be swimmers.

I thought that was a long time!

Try it again!

I just looked at him like he was crazy. We must have done the same drill twenty times and the last time Mr. Tyler put his cane on my back and pressed down to keep me under longer. I finally had to dive away from his cane. Get out of the pool and come up here.

Mr. Tyler could tell I was pissed about the cane part. Oscar, the most important thing about being a good swimmer is breathing and right now you are in kindergarten.

Why didn’t you tell me that when we started?

I wanted to see what you could do on your own. I want you to do this drill every day before we met. Your goal is to stay under four minutes. I’ll see you tomorrow.

Tomorrow is Saturday Mr. Tyler!

Oh, I forgot. I will see you at three o’clock. We will work for three hours.

Mr. Tyler got up and walked back to his office.

On the way home I kept thinking about Mr. Tyler trying to drown me. If this was just the beginning, what was in store for me down the road. I had second thoughts about becoming a lifeguard. I was sure Mr. Tyler knew what he was doing because he was a great swimmer at one time. Maybe he was right, Polish people are not made for swimming. I really needed to get my mind straight, one way or the other. When I got home, I decided to talk to my grandmother about my situation. She always had good advice when I was growing up. Gran Ma, that is what I called her, would guide me in the right direction.

After I had a piece of her fabulous blueberry pie, I went out front where she was sitting on the swing. Gran Ma, I need some advice.

Tell me what is on your mind Oscar.

I want to become a lifeguard in Ocean City, Maryland. To get the job you have to be a great swimmer and pass a very hard test to be considered. Mr. Tyler, at the YMCA has agreed to work with me but I have doubts because the training is so hard. I don’t know if I can really do this.

A lifeguard, ha! Well, you always like helping out other people. I know Mr. Tyler. He goes to our church and is a very honorable man. What does he think?

He thinks I am crazy but offered to help me for a month. He keeps telling me Pollocks are not good swimmers.

That sounds like Tyler.

He gave me one breathing drill that almost killed me.

Do you have faith in Tyler and think he knows what he is doing? You know he won two medals in the Olympics when he was young?

I’m not worried about Mr. Tyler Gran Ma, it is me.

Oscar, you were an outstanding athletic in high school, you don’t smoke or drink very much alcohol. The training part shouldn’t be too hard for you. The only difference is it is in water and that is new to you. I think you should give it your best effort for the month. Do everything Tyler says and see what he thinks after the month is up. All you have to lose is a month and the training will get you in great physical shape. You are starting to get a little belly on you.

I thought for a couple minutes about what Gran Ma said. She was right. I had nothing to lose. I thanked her for the advice and went back in the house to think some more.

On Saturday I got to the YMCA pool about two o’clock and started doing the breathing drill. I noticed a girl about my age swimming in the pool. Her strokes were beautiful. It was like she was gliding though the water with no effort at all. When she stopped, she looked over at me. You really swim great! Are you in training?

You talking to me?

I’m sorry, yes, my name is Oscar Jankowski and Mr. Tyler are helping me to learn how to swim better.

Nice to met you. I am Kelly Delaney. I am a lifeguard at the Halifax Country Club. I am just getting ready for the summer season. Mr. Tyler is a great coach.

Most people call me Ski instead of Oscar because I hate my name.

Okay, Ski, it is. Are you training for anything special?

I want to be a lifeguard in Ocean City, Maryland but I hear the qualifying test is very hard.

That sounds great. I would like to do that myself. If I can help you in anyway just let me know.

The next thing I knew Mr. Tyler came out of his office. I see you met Kelly. Now, you see what a great swimmer looks like. Get your ass in my office.

The first thing he did was show me the video tape again. So, after thinking about this is it still what you want to do?

Yes, sir, I want to do this.

Oscar this requires a lot from you, if you are to suceed. Work ethic, dedication, determination, self-motivation, consistency and focus are the things you need. Are you ready for that type of commitment?

Absolutely, Mr. Tyler. I am all in.

I guess that means yes.

When we got to the pool, he gave me a kicking drill and an arms drill to work on. I could see Kelly watching me from the other side of the pool. I was giving it my all. I guess I was trying to impress her. After a couple hours Mr. Tyler called it a day. Oscar, where do you live?

On First Street with my grandmother.

How far is that from here?

"I guess about three or four miles. Why?’

When you come here from now on, I want you to run here and back home. No driving your car. Am I understood?

Yes, sir!

I think Mr. Tyler was surprised I didn’t ask any questions and just agreed. I figured it was to build up my leg strength.

As I was leaving, Kelly was coming out of the women’s locker room. I looked at her fingers to see if she had any rings on and fortunately, she had none. Ski, it looked like you had a good workout?

Yea, I am trying really hard.

You want to go get a milk shake at Thomas Ice Cream Shop? That is if you are not busy or meeting someone.

That sounds great! Do you have a car here?

No, I walked from my house.

Well, come with me this one time. My car is over here.

The ice cream shop was pretty emptied and we sat at a table to talk. Kelly had only lived in Halifax for four years. Her father was a professor at the junior college here. Kelly was about 5’6 tall, probably weighed 110 pounds and was just beautiful with her long brown hair hanging down over her shoulders. I couldn’t believe she didn’t have a boyfriend but I didn’t ask about it. I told her all about Joy moving to Harrisburg to become a nurse and about my coal mining job. Then she came out with the big question. Do you really want to be an ocean lifeguard?"

I really do but I know the odds are against me. If I could swim like you, I would be there trying out right now.

To be honest with you, I would like to do that myself.

No shit! I’m sorry. That just came out. What is holding you back?

A lot of things. The big one is my parents. I am twenty-two years old and they treat me like a baby. I know nothing about ocean lifeguard jobs and of course I am a girl. Not many girls from Pennsylvania would try to make it on their own. How do you know about ocean lifeguards?

My Uncle Louie has a house in Ocean City and I watched the lifeguards in action one summer. They are really good and seem to always be saving lives. I like helping people and figured that would be a great job for me. Plus, I need to get out of the coal mine soon."

I thought to myself that maybe we could go together but didn’t want to bring that up right now since we just met. It was time to go and Kelly lived on 2nd Street just a block from my house. Do you want to swim tomorrow after church Ski?

What sounds great. What time do you want me to meet you at the Y?

About three o’clock would be great.

Okay, I’ll see you there.

That night, in bed, all I could think about was Kelly. She was a very attractive woman and I wandered what she would look like in a bikini. I knew most women swimmers wear one-piece bathing suits so I didn’t think I would see her in a bikini any time soon. I guessed she had a boyfriend here because she didn’t go to high school in Halifax. However, being a lifeguard at the country club one would think she would have tons of guys hitting on her. In my mind things just didn’t add up and found it hard to go to sleep thinking about her and if we were going to have a relationship. I finally fell asleep thinking only time will tell.

After Gran Ma and I got back from church and had breakfast I was ready for the pool. It was only a little after one o'clock so I sat on the front porch swing with her. I told her about Kelly Delaney and her eyes got really big. Do you know the Delaney’s Gran Ma?

Not personally, but at my women’s club I heard the story about Kelly Delaney.

So, tell me, what do you know?

Okay, here is what I remember. Kelly and her high school boyfriend went to college together at Kent State University in Ohio. They went there because her boyfriend had a scholarship to play football. In May of 1970 when they both were freshman the students protested against the Vietnam War. They called in the Ohio National Guard and four kids were killed and nine wounded. Kelly’s boyfriend was one of the ones that got killed. He died in her arms while she was yelling for help. Then she came to Halifax to live with her parents. She doesn’t go out on dates and lives a sheltered life. Kelly works at the high school as an administration clerk and is a lifeguard at the country club in the summer. That poor girl must be broken inside.

I remember that in the newspaper. They called it the Kent State Massacre. You know Kelly has been very talkative with me. We went for a milk shake together the other evening and she is meeting me at the pool today.

Oscar, you keep that up. It sounds like you are really helping that young lady.

I started my run to the YMCA and I initially didn’t think it would be a problem. I was basically just jogging but about half way I had to stop and walk. I kept thinking that old man is crazy. When I got to the Y I found out that Sunday was Mr. Tyler’s day off and to be honest I was happy. I quickly changed clothes and tried swimming from one end to the other and almost made it. About ten minutes to three o’clock Kelly came walking through the pool area doors in a hot red bikini. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her and she waved to me. Kelly quickly jumped in the pool with me and I immediately said without thinking, I love your bathing suit.

I thought you would. I haven’t worn a bikini in years. How was your run here?

Not to good I was jogging and only made it half way.

Mr. Tyler is having you do that to build up your leg muscles for swimming.

Why didn’t he tell me that?

He doesn’t explain why much but listen to him because he is a good teacher. How about we work on your breathing so Mr. Tyler doesn’t drown you anymore.

We worked and worked as she got me turning my head side to side to breathe. Kelly really knew a lot about swimming mechanics. When we finished, she said, Now, go swim the pool using the breathing techniques we have been practicing.

I made it from one end to the other with no problem. "Thank you so much Kelly I can’t wait to show Mr. Tyler on Monday.

After we got dressed, we started walking home together. "Ski, you want you go get a pizza for dinner?’

Absolutely, Tony’s is right down the street.

As we sat at the table eating our pizza Kelly pulled out a piece of paper. Ski, here are the names of two swimming books that really helped me. They have them at the library. I have read them about a dozen times.

Thank you, I will get them on Monday after practice.

We talked more about me and my family then anything. I didn’t push to talk about her life because I knew what she went through. I figured it would be up to her when the time was right. On the walk home Kelly told me she liked spending time with me and that was a sign. When we got to her house, Kelly, would you like to go to the movies one night?

Not really Ski, but how about we go roller skating on Saturday. I used to really love skating and still have my skates.

Okay, you are on. But I am not a good skater.

Oh, we will just have some fun.

I wanted to kiss her good-night but quickly said to myself. Are you crazy!

On the way home I realized asking her to the movies was dumb. In a dark theater sitting close to each. It would be like a date. Roller skating, we would be out in the public with people everywhere. Just stupid.

All day at work all I could think about was swimming and Kelly. When I got home Gran Ma asked me what I was smiling about? I am looking forward to going to the pool and working out.

You sure it isn’t that pretty little girl Kelly? You better be careful not to get a broken heart like you did with Joy.

After that lecture I headed out the door and started running. I started out slow because I wanted to make it to the Y. Three-fourths of the way I had to stop and walk. After I changed clothes, I went right into Mr. Tyler’s office and turned on the video tape as he was sitting at his desk. After the tape was over Mr. Tyler looked at me, How was your run here?

I only could make it three-fourths of the way but I can feel my legs getting stronger.

We went out to the pool and did the breathing, kicking and arms drills. When we finished, Do you think you can swim the length of the pool now?

I think I can swim up and back!

Oh, you talk is cheap. Show me what you got!

I jumped in the pool and made it both ways and then got out of the pool. I see Miss Kelly has been helping you with your breathing. Boy, don’t do anything to hurt that young lady.

We are just friends.

Then I realized Mr. Tyler must have known what she went through in Ohio. Oscar, when you go to bed each night, I want you to do 200 push-ups for now. That will really help your arms with pushing the water when you swim.

Yes, sir, I got it.

That was the first time Mr. Tyler explained why he wanted me to do something. I was a little sad because Kelly didn’t come to the pool today. After I changed, I went to the library and got the two books Kelly recommended and started running home. That night I tried doing the push-ups but could only do twenty-five at a time and ended up only doing a hundred. I thought I would have done better than that from working in the coal mine.

Kelly came back to the pool on Friday and I was glad to see her. Those books are really great. They explain how to do things and why.

I thought they would help you. Ski, when you pick me up to go roller skating on Saturday would you mind meeting my parents?

Sure, Kelly, no problem. I got to go here comes the old man.

All during practice I kept looking over at Kelly. That was until Mr. Tyler hit me in the back of my head with his cane. Remember, what I told you, focus!

When practice was over, Kelly and I walked home together. Aren’t you supposed to be running?

My heart is racing fast enough right now.

She just looked at me and smiled as she went up the block and me down to our houses.

I couldn’t wait to get Saturday practice over. Mr. Tyler could tell and ask me what was going on. I told him Kelly and I were going roller skating that evening. Okay, that is enough practice. Get your ass home and clean up. Remember what I told you about Kelly.

Yes, sir, we are just having fun together.

I was totally surprised that he stopped practice a half hour early. But I was thankful because by the time I ran home, showered, and ate I would he pushing it to pick up Kelly at six o'clcok.

When I drove up to Kelly’s house, I was a little nervous, not knowing what to expect. When I knocked on the door Kelly’s mother opened the door and invited me in their house. I really was not expecting this. I thought it would be, hi, nice to meet you and that would be it. Mrs. Delaney told me to have a seat in the living room and that Kelly would be right down. Then the questions started. How long have I lived in Halifax, where do I work, and the list went on? If I didn’t know what had happened to Kelly I would have got up and walked out the door. Finally, Kelly came down stairs looking just beautiful. Come on Ski, let’s get out of here.

When we got in the car Kelly started apologizing for her parents. It’s okay Kelly, I really didn’t mind. They are just looking out for you.

Kelly was all excited when we got to the skating rink. I have not skated in about five years Ski.

Here I thought you were going to help me.

We both laughed. When we got out on the skating rink I stumbled around and made like I was falling several times. Kelly laughed at me. It’s not that hard Ski. Just relax.

Easy for you to say. Go ahead I have to work this out.

Kelly took off around the wooden floor circle and came back around smiling at me. Once she passed me, I took off after her and when I got up to her I started skating backwards. You shit head! You can really skate.

I laughed as we went around together. We eventually took a break and had a coke. You can really skate great.

I was just messing with you. I have been skating here since I was eight years old.

We skated some more and about ten o'clcok decided it was time to go. Kelly, do you want to stop and get a drink at Sam’s Bar?

I really wanted to show her off to my buddies. No, I have to get up for church tomorrow and my parents will be waiting for me to come in. Maybe, another time Ski. I would like to meet some of your friends.

When we got to her house, I walked her to the front door and thanked her for a great time. I really wanted to kiss her so bad. Will I see you at the pool tomorrow afternoon?"

Yes, I need all the practice I can get.

Kelly then turned and kissed me on the cheek. Thanks for being my friend.

Then she walked into her house.

I was all excited about the kiss on the cheek. That night I laid in bed wondering what it would be like to make love with Kelly. I kept trying to tell myself I was making more about the cheek kiss. I kiss my grandmother on her cheek. After church Gran Ma and I went out for breakfast at a restaurant. While we were eating, I told her all about last night and the fun we had together. Oscar, did you kiss her?

No, but she kissed me on my cheek.

Please do not push yourself on that girl. She has been through hell. If there is any kissing to be done, let her start it. Do not in any way be aggressive with her. You understand me?

Yes, Gran Ma, I understand what you mean.

The next couple weeks went by fast. Mr. Tyler had me doing all kind of different drills. I did the stroke and glide, body rotating, Dolphin kick, breaststroke, and reverse swimming. I was doing so good I started to get a little cocky and Mr. Tyler quickly put me back in my place. I could now run all the way to the YMCA without stopping and do the two hundred push-ups every night. I was really in good shape and I had to buy some new pants that fit. School was over and Kelly started her lifeguard job at the country club. We still saw each other a lot and sometimes I would go to the country club so she could watch me swim. My month with Mr. Tyler was coming to an end and I wondered if he would keep training me. On the last day of the month he called me into his office. Oscar, your month is up. So, do you still want to be a lifeguard in Ocean City?

Yes, sir, I really want to do this.

Okay, I will continue to work with and now you can call me Coach. You need to find out the requirements for the lifeguard test in Ocean City. Once you have them that is what we will focus on. I am sure they are very hard and you probably only get one shot at qualifying.

Thank you so much Mr. Tyler. I will work my ass off.

That is the right attitude Ski.

He walked away smiling and I couldn’t believe he called me Ski.

That evening Kelly agreed to got to the movies with me. In fact, it was her idea because she wanted to see Thunderbolt & Lightfoot starring Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges. I couldn’t believe it because this was a man type movie but I think she really likes Clint Eastwood. While we were riding to the movies, I told her Mr. Tyler agreed to coach me to be an ocean lifeguard. Kelly got all excited. Do you think he would coach me also?

I don’t know, why not. I have to find out the qualifying test and then we will focus on that.

We can find that out at the library tomorrow.

I really enjoyed sitting right next to her at the movies. It was like we were a couple. Because we were sitting so close, every time we turned to talk, we looked straight into each other’s eyes. Right before the movie was over, Would you mind if I kissed you?

She didn’t say a word and reached over and kissed me on my lips. Her kiss was not long but it went right through my entire body. She smiled at me and watched the end of the movie. On the way home we only talked a little but I knew we both were thinking the same thing. When we got to her house she reached over and kissed me again. Be patient with me Ski.

Then she ran into her house.

I stopped over Sam’s Bar for a cold beer which I had not had in a month. Since it was Saturday night many of my buddies were still there and were well on their way to being totally drunk. Willy immediately said, Where the hell have you been Ski?

I am training, I want to become an ocean lifeguard. I go to practice every day at the YMCA.

You better watch it you will turn into a fish.

All the guys laughed out loud. Then Willy continued, Well, I saw you this evening at the skating rink with a beautiful woman. Who is she?

That is Kelly Delaney she is a lifeguard at the country club and is helping me out.

Are you sure that is all she is helping you out with?

We are just good friends and that is it.

Have you kissed her?

I have not!

That was an honest answer because she kissed me. This Kelly girl must be new around here because we haven’t seen her at parties and town events?

Yea, she has only been here a short time. She is originally from Maryland and her father is a professor at the junior college.

Why don’t you bring her around here some time so we can meet her?

I am afraid she would fall in love with Willy!

They all laughed and patted me on my back. I had another beer and called it a night. When I got in bed, I realized how different I had become from my buddies. They had accepted their lives here in the coal mine of Halifax but I definitely wanted to leave for sure. I wondered if Kelly was serious about going to Ocean City and trying out. Maybe we could go together. It would be great to have a partner but my fear was that I was falling in love with her and I didn’t think she was looking for romance right now.

After church on Sunday I told Gran Ma what was going on and the fun we had at the skating rink last night. Have you kissed her yet Oscar?

Actually no, but she kissed me.

That means she has feelings for you. But I still would let her take the lead in any romance until she tells you what happened to her.

That is good advice Gran Ma. I think Kelly wants to be an ocean lifeguard also.

Has she told you that?

Yes, but I wasn’t sure she was serious. I met her parents the other night and she really needs to get away from them and start her own life. I know they are trying to protect her but she is twenty-two years old and has her whole life in front of her.

"You are probably right but I