Gussie wondered if Anna even knew about Florence’s plan. She was about to say something when Anna asked, “Is there a competition?”
“Just with myself,” Florence said with a laugh.
“She’s going to swim the English Channel,” said Stuart.
Florence corrected him, “Attemptto swim the English Channel.”
“Don’t pretend to be modest,” he said. “We can all see right through you.”
Florence reached over, touched Anna’s arm, and whispered, in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, “Don’t listen to him,” and to Gussie’s great surprise, Anna laughed. The noise was so foreign, Gussie didn’t know quite what to make of it. Anna had arrived in Atlantic City in March—Joseph had driven up to Jersey City to collect her from the ferry terminal—and, in all that time, Gussie had never seen her eyes so much as twinkle.
Florence turned serious. “Stuart’s actually been a big help.”
“Might not want to give me too much credit until you make it across.”
“How long does it take to swim the whole thing?” Anna asked.
“Trudy Ederle did it in a little over fourteen hours. I’m hoping to do it in under twelve.”
“That’s a long time in the water,” said Anna.
Gussie was desperate to contribute to the conversation. “Florence says your tongue swells up like a balloon.”
“Is that true?” said Anna.
Florence shrugged her shoulders. “Unfortunately, yes.”
“She’ll be great,” said Stuart. “By the time I’m through with her this summer, she might as well fly across.”
“Do you start in England or France?” Anna asked.
“France,” said Florence. “Cape Gris-Nez. The tide’s a little more forgiving if you swim toward Dover.”
“So, will you go to France, too?” Anna asked Stuart.
Stuart looked as if he were about to say something but Florence cut him off. “Over my father’s dead body. Both he and Mother think it would be completely improper.”
“Once she gets to France, she’s got Bill Burgess. He’s world class. She won’t need me.”
“Not true,” said Florence.
Something about the easy way Florence, Stuart, and even Anna talked made Gussie yearn to be a grown-up. As she watched them, she practiced resting a hand on her hip and using the other to make big, important gestures. Stuart crossed his arms at his chest, and she tried that, too, but it didn’t feel as natural. Eventually, when he noticed she was mimicking him, he winked at her and she tied her arms in knots behind her back.
Stuart looked at his wrist but must have realized he wasn’t wearing a watch. “I’ve got to get back. Meet me at the Kentucky Avenue stand tomorrow morning at six?” he said to Florence. “I’ll tail you in the boat for a couple of hours.”
Florence didn’t say anything, just lifted her chin, which Gussie interpreted as a yes.
“It was nice to meet you,” Anna said to Stuart as he prepared to depart.
“You too.”
Gussie went to say her own good-bye but Stuart had already begun to jog back toward the Boardwalk.
“He seems nice,” Anna said to Florence once he was well out of earshot. “And also completely in love with you.”
“Stuart?” said Florence, as if she’d never entertained the possibility. “God, no. Now, where did I put my cap?”
Gussie, who’d had it the whole time, handed it to her begrudgingly.
