I definitely don’t from time to time look for Daniel and hope to see him. No, because that would be stupid. I’m definitely not semi-disappointed that the sun has set and I’ve yet to see him.
“Josefine?” The familiar voice makes my body stiff. It takes every cell in my body not to hide. It’s too late anyway because I know she saw me and is coming my way.
“Hey.” I force a smile and glance down at the two kids I’m assuming are Monica’s and the man who stands beside her who I assume is her husband.
“It’s so good to see you again. I’ve been trying to find you on campus.”
“I’m not there much unless I have class.” I do use their gym, but I don’t tell her that.
“I figured. It’s so good to see you again.” She smiles warmly at me. “This is Jack, my husband. And my kids, Iris and Avery.”
She points at the girls, but they’re not paying attention to me. Their attention is on Vienna.
“It’s so good to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot of great things about you.” Jack offers the same friendly smile as his wife. “I?—”
“Can we take pictures with the mermaid?” Iris asks but both girls are grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the pool.
“Sorry about that. My girls are impatient.” She looks around me, staring at her little family.
Something pricks at my chest, but I push the foreign feeling away.
“Well, I won’t hold you up.”
“No, that’s all right. Jack’s got them. I’m actually glad to have run into you. I wanted to ask if you’ve looked over the email?”
The dreaded email. “Not yet. I’ve been busy, and you know life is well…life,” I awkwardly supply.
“No, I get it. No rush. Either way, the season is almost over, so I don’t need your answer now. Let’s say by the end of the semester?”
I should say no, but I can’t bring myself to voice the single word. “Sure,” I find myself saying instead. “End of the semester you’ll get your answer.”
She nods and her eyes flick up to her family again before they land on me. “You know, if you ever want to talk about swimming, your mom, or anything, I’m here. I know we don’t know each other, but?—”
“I’m good.” I cut her off. “‘There’s not much I need to talk about.”
“Well, you know where my office is.”
I nod and settle on silence because I’m not sure what else to say.
“I’ll let you go now.” Her smile is still as friendly as ever. Vienna says she’s a hard-ass during practice, but after, she’s everything but. She said the atmosphere is better, livelier because of her. “My daughters are going to want a thousand pictures and no doubt want me to buy them a stuffed mermaid.”
I nod again and watch her walk to them.
“Can I…please have this one?”
Mom merely glances at the stuffed animal in my hand. “What are you going to do with that, Josefine?”
My hands get clammy, nervous flutters spreading in my stomach. “Play with it.”
“You have a lot going on to be playing with toys. Put that back.”
Monica and her family walk away once they’re satisfied with pictures and buy the girls stuffed mermaids.
The memory, like bitter coffee, clings to my tongue, leaving a nasty taste. I attempt to focus on what’s going on around me but all that’s swimming in my mind is how happy they all looked.
For a while I think my night will consist of that memory, but one of the guys on the team walks past me. He’s decked out in his uniform; Daniel said they had to wear them.
“Go find him.” Vienna clings to the end of the pool, her tail flowing back and forth. God, she’s so natural at this, she almost looks like the real thing. No wonder kids eat this up. I am.
