The Pool

Beverly is a summer child and her first love is the swimming pool at her apartment complex.

She is a latch key kid heading into third grade come fall. Mom is at work, dad is overseas, and, her sister is in her bedroom with a gentleman caller. To be accurate, fuck buddy.

Beverly’s straightened hair will turn kinky the moment her hair touches the water, knowing this will piss off her mom.

She puts on her swimsuit, squeezes her toes into flip flops, grabs a towel, her pool card, and, puts the house key on a string around her neck.

Beverly skips along the path to the pool pulling at the tall grass; grasshoppers springing up like popcorn; her favorite summer scent of wild basil swaddled in the hot breeze.

She shows her card, finds an open spot at the edge of the pool and slips in. There is an effortless joy she feels in the water. She turns her face skyward with eyes closed, blinded by the sunlight.

The lifeguard she has a crush on comes over and asks her if she’s ready for the test. Yes, she says. She swims the length of the pool and he gives her a thumps up. She proudly walks over to the high dive. She holds on tight as she climbs to the top. The board is wet but not slippery.

She holds her nose as she jumps feet first and is startled by the depth she goes down into the water. She panics just a little and climbs up quickly. She’s fine.

She looks around for the lifeguard to see if he watched her, but she can’t find him.

Maybe she can convince her sister to come and watch. Maybe her mom will come home early. Maybe when her dad gets back.

The next day Beverly goes to the swimming pool. She skips along the path.