This is a work of fiction.
“I’d like to be up there,” Curly said in a low voice.
“On her diving board?” I asked.
He shook his head and pointed. High up on the third floor of the house, right above where the diving board was, there was a balcony.
“You could see people diving and the ocean. Do you think she’ll let us?”
“I don’t think we’re invited to the party.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
The boys didn’t have any ideas, and Lydia wouldn’t speak when I tried to ask her what she thought.
I suspected it was because Sammy was there, and I made a mental note to talk to all of the kids separately, in case there was anything they didn’t want to say in front of the others.
*
Saturday morning was sunny and extremely hot. At 6:00 a.m. when I woke up, my phone told me that it was 100 degrees.
Definitely a day for some swimming. First, I would wake the kids and get us all some breakfast.
“Would you like to try the hotel restaurant for breakfast?” I asked.
Everybody nodded.
“Great. After that, let’s all go swimming.”
“Yeah,” Freckles said. “I’m gonna dive off Lisa’s diving board and swim, like, a million miles.”
“Probably not Lisa’s, but maybe the hotel will let you use theirs. I don’t know the rules for kids, so they might not, but we can ask.”
“Can we eat first?” Sammy said.
“Yes, of course.”
We headed down the stairs and made our way to the restaurant. It was almost deserted.
“Where is everyone?” I asked a passing server.
He smiled at us.
“We get a crowd around 8:30.”
He made an expansive gesture that said, “Pick any table.”
We went to the nearest one and sat down.
“Ready to order, or would you like some time to read the menu?”
“Do any of you know what you’re having?” I asked.
“Bacon and eggs, sunny side up, with two pieces of toast, please,” Curly said.
“Anything to drink?”
“A large coffee please. Just kidding. Um, what kind of tea am I allowed?”
“Any kind.”
He looked uncertain.
The server said, “We have breakfast tea, or we can do London Fog, and we also have various kinds of herbal tea.”
“London Fog, please.”
“Certainly. Is anyone else ready to order?”
“Me,” Freckles said. “Can I have pancakes please? With lots of syrup and coffee?”
“You can have a very small coffee and also something else to drink. Would you like water, milk, or juice?”
“Milk, please.”
“Sammy?”
“Orange juice, Coke, sausages, hashbrowns, and bacon please.”
I smiled, and the server wrote down Sammy’s order.
“I’d like scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, and a large coffee please. I’d also like a pitcher of water and glasses for all of us.”
The food was fabulus. Even Sammy said so, and agreed to lunch and dinner at the hotel restaurant.
As soon as we were full, we went up to our rooms and changed into our swimming gear.
We found a huge pool, along with a pool for toddlers, and also a hot tub.
Freckles pointed to the diving board.
A lifeguard saw him and smiled.
“Would you like to swim your laps and then you can use the deep end and the diving board?”
“How many laps?” I asked.
“Three.” He pointed to a roped-off lane.
Freckles jumped right in and started swimming as fast as he could go.
When he came out, he wasn’t even out of breath.
He looked at the lifeguard.
“Go ahead.”
“Thanks.”
Freckles ran toward the diving board, and I followed.
“I’m gonna be in the Olympics!” he shouted, and walked to the edge of the board. He dove cleanly into the pool and came up laughing.
“I think you just might be in the Olympics,” I said.
“I think you’re right,” the lifeguard said. “What’s your name? I’m Jake.”
“David, but please call me Freckles.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Jake,” I said. “These are Sammy, Curly, and Lydia. My name is also Lydia. Let’s all swim our laps.
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