Bob and Jay waved.
He reached out and high-fived each of them. “How’s it goin’, guys?”
Mindy flipped her long, brown hair behind her ears. “Better now that you’re back. That other guy was clueless.”
Matt’s mouth turned up on one side as though he tried not to grin. “Six-and-unders, go with Suzie.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Ze rest of you come with me.” He faked a French accent.
The kids laughed and followed Matt to the playground.
“I wanna play with Matt. It’s not fair we have to practice,” Anna whined.
“You’ll have a turn. Hop in the water and kick big. We need you to win your events at the next meet.” Suzie patted Anna’s head.
Six of the children dove and two jumped in.
“Everyone hold on to the wall and kick,” Suzie said.
Water splattered all over the pool deck at the shallow end for ten minutes. Suzie hollered out, “Swim to the other end and back. Then join me on deck. I have your awards.”
The kids pulled themselves out of the pool and dried off, towels flying every which way. T-shirts stretched at the necks as they poked their arms in the sleeves.
Melissa’s blue eyes widened. “Did we win prizes?”
“Yep. Want to help me pass them out?”
“Yeah.” Melissa clapped.
Suzie gave her a high-five then started handing her the ribbons.
Melissa grinned big as she presented each swimmer with his or her reward.
Suzie looked at the last two swimmers’ names. Uh-oh. “Anna,” she said as she pulled out two first-place blue ribbons.
Melissa smiled at Anna. “Here.”
“And for you.” A pain pricked Suzie’s heart for Melissa as she held out two second-place red ribbons, but she tried to sound enthusiastic. Second place was nothing to sneer at. At the same time, she knew firsthand not being number one after working so hard was difficult. Hopefully, Melissa would deal with the disappointment with determination and persistence.
Melissa clasped them and stuck out her lower lip. “I want blue ones like Anna.”
“Maybe you’ll get those next week. This was only the first meet. We have lots left.”
Tears welled up in Melissa’s eyes.
“All of the ribbons are important. Every girl and boy helps the team by swimming. All of you scored points for us, and that’s how we’ll win. The color of the ribbon doesn’t matter. It’s the winning team spirit that counts.”
Suzie picked up a bag of suckers. “Everyone earned one of these. I’m so proud of all of you.”
“Yeah.” The kids cheered then stepped up one at a time and took a treat.
Anna touched Melissa’s ribbons. “My favorite color is red. Do you want to swap?”
“No. I don’t think that would be right because I wasn’t first, but I like blue too.”
Suzie wanted to hug Melissa, but she said, “Red means you swam very well. You should be proud of all you accomplished.”
Melissa peered at her as though she didn’t believe her, but Suzie suspected Melissa pondered her words.
“Six-and-unders over here.”
Saved by Matt.
Suzie’s head hurt. Was it the heat from the sun, or the strain of not giving all the little kids first place ribbons? That was life.
By the time she passed them out to the twelve-and-up age groups, the kids ignored the ribbons. Bob called out, “Hey guys, Suzie said we don’t have to practice today. We can play Sharks and Minnows. I’ll be the Shark.”
“Yes,” several kids hollered out.
They dashed off the bleachers, some diving into the pool, others jumping in.
Bob opened his mouth wide and chomped as he lurked around the water. Then he dove in and swam after Mindy, his arms rotating like propellers, his feet kicking like flippers. He tapped her on the shoulder.
Suzie sighed with relief and collapsed into a pool chair.
Someone pulled on the sleeve of her t-shirt.
“Miss Suzie, Matt told me to come talk to you. Did you say we lost because we didn’t have enough people for some of the relays?” Melissa pulled at a tendril of her medium-length blond, curly hair.
“That’s partly true. If we don’t put up a relay, we earn no points. The other team racks up seven, and they don’t even have to compete against anyone.”
The bus roared into the parking lot, and the kids charged toward it.
Melissa knitted her eyebrows. “I hope we have all our relays next week.”
“Tell your friends on the swim team to show up.”
“Okay,” Melissa said. She caught up to Joey and headed for the bus.
Suzie hiked over and stuck her head inside the doorway after the last kid sat down. “You guys are awesome. I’m so proud of you.”
She wished with all her heart they could have celebrated a win. If any swimmers deserved one, these did, but she’d not let them fall into the winning-is-everything trap. Hopefully, she’d live long enough to grow much wiser, but she’d learned one thing in her short twenty-five years. No one gets to be number one all the time.
Ellie closed the door and waved.
Suzie trekked to the blue and white chaise lounges and straightened them, the scrapes of their metal bases echoing into the quiet noon hour. Soon, the children of club members would fill the pool. She could have applied for a lifeguarding position, but she’d feared she wouldn’t have the stamina for it after coaching all morning.
She plopped down on the edge of a chair long enough to fish the articles for Cammie out of the bottom of her swim bag. Then she pulled out the black wraparound skirt and white t-shirt she’d brought, ducked into the restroom, and changed. What a strange combo, a freelance writer and a swim team coach. No, not strange. A blessing. If only the freelance position with The Sun Dial would hold up.
She smiled as she strolled past the still pool on the way to the car. It had been filled with so much young energy. She hoped years from now, it would be a good memory for them. She drove to the newspaper office within fifteen minutes and sauntered inside.
“Hi, I brought the stories by.”
Cammie turned in her black swivel chair and held out her hand. “Oh, hello. Thanks so much. Let me have a look.” She slowly flipped through the pages and picked up the photos of Lloyd Sparks. “I love these pictures. We’ll add a little something to your paycheck.”
“They came with the press kit.”
Cammie’s eyes twinkled. “But you ordered them. That’s worth something.”
“I won’t argue. I could use the money.”
“Okay, thanks. I’ll be in touch when we have more work.” Cammie laid down the folder.
“That would be great.” That was an understatement. It would help her stay in Destin and pay for treatments. Suzie turned, opened the door, and trod outside. A nap called out—no, screamed—for Suzie as she slipped into her car.
Bumper-to-bumper traffic crept then stopped on Highway 98. Heat from the bright sunshine poured in Suzie’s window while she sat trapped behind an SUV from Indiana. Irritation snaked up her spine. She turned down the air conditioner, cooling her skin and mood as she inched forward. Finally, the sign for the health food store appeared on the horizon. In minutes, she wheeled into a space in front of her apartment, cut the engine, and traipsed inside.
Trudging up the stairs seemed to take hours. She slung her bag into the wicker chair and fell on top of the bed. Her arms and legs meshed onto the comforter as though someone glued them there. It would take an earthquake to move her tired body. She drifted off.
Racing inside struck her like an electrical current and she shook from the shoulders down. Her earthquake. Please, no. I want to sleep. This illness cared nothing about her pleas. She scrunched up until the symptoms subsided then gazed at the clock on the nightstand. Six.
She’d slept three and a half hours, and the weakness hadn’t swept over her. She hadn’t experienced that ailment in so long she’d almost forgotten
about it. If she could only get rid of the rest of them. She put her feet on the beige carpet, wiggled her toes, and stepped to the closet.
If only she had a sundress. If only she hadn’t lost twenty-five pounds. She glanced at the bedroom shoes with the frog heads. If only a frog had wings, he wouldn’t bump his rear when he hopped. Things were what they were. She’d have to make the best of what she couldn’t change and move forward on what she could.
She pulled out the capri pants with the flowers embroidered on one leg and the pink t- shirt. Fewer garments that fit meant more shopping. That put a spring in her steps. She slipped into her clothes and padded downstairs as the doorbell rang.
She opened the door and her heart fluttered at the sight of Matt. “Hi.”
He gazed at her with longing in his eyes. Then he pulled her close as though to give her a hug, but he trailed his finger down the side of her face and brushed his lips against hers. She put her arms around his neck, and he deepened his kiss. Warmth raced through Suzie, and the determination not to get involved with Matt evaporated like morning dew in hot sun. He stepped back and brushed a lock of hair off her face. “I missed you so much.”
This relationship had snuck up on her like a friend bringing an unexpected gift while she’d dwelt on surviving. What had she done? Had she encouraged Matt to care for her, all the while keeping her mysterious illness a secret? Her stomach knotted. Would he have the same reaction as Carson?
He placed his hand behind her back, guided her to his sporty black car, and helped her in the passenger’s side. “I can’t wait to hear more about the meet.” He zipped to the driver’s seat and cranked the engine. “We could go to Captain Lou’s and walk on the beach after we eat.”
“That sounds wonderful. It’s impossible to spend too much time on the shore.”
Several miles out of town, Matt turned right off Highway 98 and steered the car into a pebble parking lot. The tires crunched as he pulled in beside a palm tree near a stucco building with a low red-tiled roof. He hopped out and opened Suzie’s door.
A warm breeze blew her hair across her face. She pushed it back, and they walked to the entrance where a hostess escorted them to a patio on the beach. Suzie couldn’t help but stare at two people in front of them sitting barefoot at a table on the sand.
Matt gazed at her and smiled. “I wasn’t sure if you’d want to dine with the sand crabs, but we can try it next time.”
“That would be fun.” Tingles ran over Suzie’s skin as soft waves lapping the shore lulled her. She laid her arm in her lap and pinched it under the table. This night was real.
The waitress stepped over and lit the candle on their linen draped table, creating a soft glow across Matt’s rugged, handsome features. He ordered the mahi-mahi special with a baked potato and a salad, and the waitress turned toward Suzie.
“I’ll have the same.” A few months ago, she couldn’t have said those words or eaten whatever she wanted without fear of repercussions. Thank you, Dr. Granger. Praise God.
Matt took a deep breath, leaned back in his chair, and peered at the sea without speaking. He seemed content. Pain pierced Suzie’s heart. Must she upset this perfect night with news of her malady? Would he still want to bring her here again if she told him? What would he think of her later if she didn’t tell him now? The breeze caressed her cheeks as she sat with a storm raging inside her in the middle of paradise.
“Back to the meet.” Matt’s smooth baritone voice wafted across the table.
Yes. Better to talk about the kids and postpone the heartache. “We’re in the Bronze swimming group, which is the lowest level. I was surprised to see four U.S. swimmers on the other team, but that wasn’t the only problem. We lacked enough competitors to form relays in some of the age groups. That hurts a lot. When a team has no relay, they earn zero points while their opponent racks up seven.”
“I understand. I’ll send messages to the parents and do my best to have all the children there from now on.”
Suzie leaned forward. “Especially this coming Monday night. Swimming at home adds another dimension for the children.”
“Yeah, yeah. It’s their pool”—Matt turned his palm up—“so to speak. They know it well. If they can’t win there, where can they?”
“Exactly. It’s not hard to see you’re into sports,” Suzie said.
Matt looked out at the sea then directed his gaze at Suzie. “More than you can imagine.”
Suzie couldn’t help but wonder what Matt meant, but he’d used such a low sorrowful tone, it was almost as though he spoke to himself. If she asked him why, would it intrude on his privacy? Not only that, since she had him talking about the children, it was a good time to discuss her plan. “Now that we have a sponsor, I wondered if we could use some of the team’s money to start a scholarship fund for children who really love swimming so they can join a U.S. team.”
Matt sat straight up in his seat. “What a super idea. I’ll look into it.” Enthusiasm laced his tone. “I know what it’s like to have a passion and not pursue it,” Matt nearly whispered, a longing lining his voice.
“I’m sorry. What’s your passion?”
“Football.”
She intended to pour out her soul later to Matt about this disease. Now, it was his turn. “Was playing professionally a dream of yours?”
Matt’s eyes grew misty. “I lived for it.”
“What happened?”
“I tore a knee ligament in high school. Dad and my girlfriend freaked out and insisted I not play in college. They demanded I concentrate on business, graduate high in my class, and aim for a stable career.” Matt’s voice trailed off. “Anything less risky with more potential for success, they said.”
“I take it she was a serious girlfriend.”
“I dated her the last two years of high school. I suppose I can’t blame myself too much for being unaware and oblivious to a person’s character at that young age.” Matt’s tone had an edge to it.
“It sounds as though she had a good relationship with your parents.”
“Oh yeah, she and Dad had a great time planning how I could spend the rest of my life doing something they wanted.”
Suzie put her hand on top of his. “Can you become involved in football now?”
Matt pressed his lips into a straight line. “No. I needed to play in college, and I’m too old.”
“How about coaching? You’re great with kids.”
“It’s too late.”
“Don’t say that. It’s never too late to reach for our dreams.”
The waitress served two steaming plates of food.
Matt cut into his fish. “How’d the article writing go?”
Was it too painful for him to talk about football? She wouldn’t press. He’d bring it up again when he was ready. “Fine. I finished both pieces and delivered them to Cammie.”
Matt sipped his tea. “That paper’s off to a good start. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them hire another full-time writer. You’d be the perfect person.”
Hope swept over Suzie like a soft wave washing ashore. “I’d love to land a position with The Sun Dial, but what about you? Tell me about the meeting.”
Matt breathed deep then exhaled. “It was an interesting convention about the challenges of running a parks and recreation department, especially in Florida. I’m glad to be home.” He gazed at Suzie with loving eyes. “I can concentrate on more fun things, such as you.”
Matt’s words nearly took her breath away, but then her heart sank. She had to tell him about her physical problems.
“I suppose you don’t mind if I concentrate on you, huh?”
She forced a smile.
“Good.” He laid his napkin by his plate.
The waitress brought the bill, and he paid with a credit card as Suzie sipped the last of her tea.
“Are you ready for the beach?”
“Yes.” Her stomach knotted as Matt rose and guided her out of the restaurant into the unpleasant conversatio
n she would start.
They left their flip-flops beside a spigot on a cement slab and meandered onto the shore.
Matt clasped her hand and led her to the edge of the water. The damp soft earth squishing between her toes soothed her, but dread for what he might say when she told him about the illness hung over her like a dark cloud. She wandered into the deep brine and wiggled her toes while gentle waves lapped around the calves of her legs.
Matt put his arms around her and pulled her into his chest as the salty air blew her hair across her face. He pushed it back and traced the lines of her cheek with his lips until he reached her mouth. Then he kissed her deep and long, his heart beating next to hers. She floated into the night until he released her and grasped her hand. The words she had to say pressed on her brain like a vice, and she grew dizzy.
“I suppose I better not keep my swim team coach out too late.” Matt turned around and headed to the parking lot.
“I love being by the shore. The truth is—” She intended to tell him why she came to Destin and how hard she had to work to survive, but the words stuck on the knot in her throat.
“Then we’ll have to make sure you come here more often.”
They approached the parking lot, and Matt’s car came into view. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
“Fire away. I’m listening.”
She opened her mouth, but the words wouldn’t come out.
Matt stepped away from her. “Yes?”
Her heart couldn’t stand another trampling. If she’d known their relationship would move this quickly, she’d have told him already. “Matt I—”
His eyes widened. “You what?”
This was too hard. In her mind’s eye, Carson stood in front of her, his eyebrows knitted, his lips turned down and puckered as though he tasted something disgusting. She shivered then blinked.
Matt stiffened and stared at her.
“I have an illness. No one knows what it is.” She nearly gagged on the tears welling up. “Not one single medical person has been able to diagnose it.” She barely could breathe. Would Matt dump her?
Barely Above Water Page 15