“Oh, that’s right— Kyra and I were going to work out a little. How about tomorrow? We could run on the track.”
“Uh, sure, I’ll bring my stuff.”
“Great!” Annie flashed me a brilliant smile with those perfect Whitaker teeth. Luke’s teeth. “See you after practice.”
I watched her walk off with her friend, their ponytails swinging in unison. They would have been a scary duo in high school.
I sat next to the wall, and balled up my jacket into a pillow to take a discreet nap. I only woke up when Tara poked me in the ribs.
“Pardon me, Cinderella?”
I rubbed my eyes and sighed. “I believe you mean, Sleeping Beauty.”
“Whatever, I hate all those princess movies. Some day my prince will come, my ass.” She threw her purse down. “What a day!” She launched into story about a difficult patient and his parents while I hunted in my purse for a mint to take the nap out of my mouth.
“Anyway,” Tara was wrapping up, “the doctor had to just tell the dad that I was right to begin with. So there!”
“Hmmm,” I said.
“Did you hear a word I said?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “How’s it working with the loaner car?”
“It’s great. I’m so lucky to have it.”
“Yeah, you’re super lucky to have an ancient, crappy car when your other ancient, crappy car left you stranded. By the way, why was the Eldorado parked at Roy’s anyway?”
I ignored the last question. “I mean I’m lucky to get a loaner at all! And Martha’s cousin is going to get back to me today with an estimate to fix the El D.”
The kids were getting out of the pool, laughing and shoving a little bit. One big boy shoved Charlie in the back. Hard. He went down on his knees on the tile.
“Hey!” The yell came out of my mouth before I could stop it. I rushed down the bleachers, almost tripping as I went.
Coach Sean had the pusher off to the side, and I could tell by the look on his face and the angry movement of his mouth that it wasn’t going well for that kid. Charlie was being comforted by Darby.
“Who is that little thug?” I asked angrily as we ducked under the metal bar onto the pool deck.
I reached Charlie and started to hug him, but he pulled away. “Em! I’m fine!”
“That’s Ellis Gassman. Neil’s son,” Tara answered me. “Charlie, you ok? Darby can kick his ass for you.”
“Mommy!” Darby protested.
Charlie looked at her with big eyes. “The A word,” he whispered.
“Charlie, let’s go,” I told him. “Get your equipment bag.” He scooped up the mesh bag with his flippers, snorkel, and gear.
We walked to the door, with me pulling clothes over Charlie’s head as we went. “Did you really want me to date someone with the last name ‘Gassman’?” I asked Tara quietly.
She laughed. “He has a boat too, did I mention that?”
On the way home, I asked Charlie why he thought Ellis had pushed him.
“Because he’s an ass,” Charlie explained confidently.
“Charlie Finn, do not use that word,” I said sternly.
“Emmy, I know all the swears. The A word, the B word, the C word…once Coach Sean said that in practice.”
“Coach Sean said the C word?” I yelped.
