Mercifully Pitiful

He smacked my back and I choked on the silver dollar. Guy looked in alarm and instantly tried to jump into action, but his daughter pushed him aside and pressed her tiny fists into my sternum. A few angry thwacks and it was out, covered in blood and spit. I kneeled in the sand, coughing, and my nemesis knelt in front of me.

"You almost left us there, boy," she muttered though those piercing grey eyes said so much more.

"T-th-thh"

"Shh, don't worry, love. You aren't dying on me."

She pressed her cold lips on my forehead and walked off towards the snack bar. I watched her leave, felt the salty wind in my hair, and realized that she had somehow beat me in a game at I didn't even know we were playing.