Suzie nodded.
“The results matched strep and bacteria. There had to have been something going on there. The tick probably carried many toxins.”
Suzie crumbled inside. She had seen the place one night after she and Carson had strolled in the park near his high-rise condo. She hadn’t felt anything bite her, hadn’t seen any bugs, just noticed a discoloration. She’d asked Carson if it looked strange. His words rang in her head as plain as if he repeated them now. “No, I’ve had redness like that after being outdoors. It’ll go away.”
That night she’d grown weak, dizzy, and sweaty, but she’d assumed the virus she already had was getting worse. The red color disappeared just like Carson had said it would. But she’d grown sicker. “I wish I’d realized I’d been bitten, but I can’t go back now and change that.”
“Dr. Granger won’t stop until he rids your body of all the bacteria, viruses, and toxins the tick carried. You’re going to be fine.”
Suzie glanced at the clock above Margaret’s desk through tears pooled in her eyes. “I have to leave for work.” She stood on wobbly legs, walked out of the room, and paid in a fog. The questions she hadn’t dared to ask because the answers might be more than she could bear pounded in her brain.
* * *
Suzie eased into a parking place at the Destin Community Club at the same time Ellie pulled up and cut the bus’s engine. The kids stepped off and waved through the glare reflecting off the hood.
“Hello,” some of them sang out.
“Good morning, Miss Suzie,” others said. Their sweet voices blending with the motor’s idling lifted her spirits.
Ellie stuck her head out the window. “See you at noon. Matt said to let you know he’s sending Harold today.”
Yeah. She bet he was. Fine, even good. She wouldn’t have to live a lie and be nice to him when she wanted to beat him with a brick. Her angst for his cold heart outweighed her sorrow over the new label for her illness and pushed her tears deep inside. “Thanks. Have a good morning.”
Harold’s canary yellow sports car pulled up, and he hopped out.
She would never have put Harold in a spiffy, bright-colored car in her mind’s eye. There was someone surprising lying dormant in everyone.
“Hi. I hope I’m not late.”
Suzie waved her arm. “You’re right on time. Eleven and up, on the playground. Six through ten with me.”
The older children ran across the grass, Harold right behind them. The kids were a blessing. She had to concentrate to keep them safe, instruct them, and show them how to win. She couldn’t have the luxury of dwelling on her illness, no matter what it was called.
Some of the little ones raced to the pool and skipped back and forth beside the sparkling water, while the eight-through-ten-year olds ambled to it.
“I’m going to give you free time. You’ve worked hard to prepare for the meet. You can play Sharks and Minnows.”
The swimmers clapped and cheered.
Liang, whose parents were from China, ran his hand across the top of his short hair. “No practice?”
He was a polite young man with lots of energy and an ambitious spirit. Whenever Suzie gave him something to do or corrected his stroke, he peered at her with intense, dark eyes and said, “Can do. My mama say I can do anything I put mind to.”
“That’s right.” Suzie patted Liang’s head. She scanned the kids, standing in no particular order. “Joey can be the shark.”
Joey strutted toward the pool as though it was an honor Suzie asked him to begin the game by being “it.”
Some children held their noses and jumped in, while others pulled their knees up and entered with cannon balls. They swam with kicks so hard the pool looked like it erupted. Shadows of swimmers lurked underwater near the bottom in the deep end.
Joey stalked around the deck, lunged forward slowly with his right foot then the left and repeated the action like a stalking giant. Kids screamed and moved away from the sides of the pool.
Then he dove in. The girls and boys scattered, swimming fast, darting from him in the nick of time. A quick backflip put him in front of Liang coming up from the bottom. Liang took a big gulp of air, his dark eyes wide as saucers. Joey tapped him.
Liang smacked the surface with his hand. “Ah, man.”
“You’re it,” Joey shouted. And the game started again.
Suzie blew the whistle at eight thirty. Huffing and puffing like little steam engines, the kids pulled themselves out of the pool.
Melissa lay down on the deck. “I’m so tired.”
“But it was fun.” Suzie patted her head. “Take a deep breath then go tell the rest of the team to meet me here.”
Melissa hopped up. “Miss Suzie wants all of you at the pool now.” She hollered as she ran to the playground.
The older children trod over, Bob and Jay wiping their sweaty brows with their t-shirts. Mindy pushed back her long brown hair wet from perspiration.
“We’re going to have a stroke clinic,” Suzie said.
“It’s so humid. I feel like I’m going to have a stroke.” Jay chuckled as he plopped down and scooted in between Mindy and Bob.
The tweens and teens snickered.
“Not that kind of stroke. I’m going to teach swimming techniques. As you probably realized last week, seconds count. This coming Monday, the time you take off the clock because you learned a new way to move in the water may make the difference between a win and a loss.”
Lucy Lou, a twelve-year-old with long auburn hair, hit the heel of her pink flip-flop on the bench, and it dropped. She peered down with wide green eyes. A sweetheart, Lucy Lou always tried to make things right for everyone. When two kids fussed, she told a funny joke or changed the subject. Suzie was convinced someone would help her out.
Ray swung down from the backside of the top bleacher and retrieved it. In a few years, Ray would drive the girls nuts with his gentle nature and polite ways, not to mention his handsome features and flirty blue eyes. The way Lucy Lou blushed when he handed her the shoe, he may already have found a fan.
“Everyone pay attention,” Suzie called out in a harsh tone.
The kids stopped clowning around and sat up straight. Little did they know, Suzie usually received twenty-five dollars per child for a stroke clinic, but this was the team from Mars. So little about it resembled any other swim team Suzie had ever swum on or coached. Maybe that was why she wanted to help these kids so much.
If she could shave seconds off their freestyle techniques alone, it could make a huge difference. The older children used that stroke in two relays and events. “Jump in the water and stand while I demonstrate.”
The youngsters did as Suzie asked and lined up six inches apart.
Suzie cupped her hand. “This form keeps the water from running through your fingers and helps pull you forward. Slant your palms to slice into the surface. Don’t slap.”
They copied Suzie.
“That’s it. Now swim across the pool slowly.”
Suzie timed them for thirty minutes then blew the whistle.
Some of the kids lifted their goggles and wiped their faces. Others pulled off their caps and brushed back their hair.
“Next, I want you to practice using the correct hand entry and make a conscious effort to keep only your faces under water. When you submerge your entire head, you create too much drag.”
“Lots of faces in this group could stop a race,” a boy’s teasing voice wafted from the bleachers. Jay, Bob, Mindy, Ray and Lucy Lou giggled and pointed at each other.
Suzie swallowed her chuckle. “Start swimming.” She attempted to use a demanding tone. If they could smooth out some of their strokes, they had a chance of winning their home meet. With every ounce of strength she had, she wanted that for them.
The kids swam until Suzie blew the whistle. “All right, just one more tip. When you need to breathe, don’t raise your head. Turn it and glance over your shoulder long enough to suck in air.” Suzie demonstra
ted. “Once you do it, you’ll be surprised how well you maintain rhythm and speed.”
The children completed several laps without following her latest directions. Had Suzie over-burdened them? Several of them started to look over their shoulders when they breathed. What a bunch! Pride filled Suzie from head to toe.
She stopped them again. “Put all three techniques together, swim forty laps, and that’s it for today.”
The teens’ strokes improved as they swam back and forth. Bob pulled himself out of the pool, liquid droplets running down his arms and legs. “I think I’m getting the breathing thing.”
Suzie high-fived him. “I agree.”
Harold and the rest of the kids joined Suzie on deck, the children clomping onto the bleachers then finally taking their seats.
“I want to talk with you a little about your diet. Protein every day is great to build strong muscles, but athletes need extra carbohydrates before competing. Strenuous practice and event swimming require lots of calories. It’s nothing you need to stress over, but try to eat pasta before you come to the meet. It increases your carbs and stays in your system a bit longer than say, potatoes. Bring a healthy snack to the meet. Apples, popcorn, and protein bars are all good.” Suzie clapped her hands. “All right, for the time that’s left, hang out with Harold on the playground.”
“Come on. Let’s go,” Harold called to the children.
Suzie hoped with all her heart the Okaloosa Dolphins would win their home meet on Monday night. She couldn’t help but wish Matt could see them. Would he even show up?
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Suzie plopped down on the beige vinyl floor and leaned against a white cabinet in a small kitchen. Some of the kids huddled around her. The rest sat close, several with their legs crossed Indian style, others lying with their heads on a teammate’s outstretched legs.
A clap of loud thunder boomed through the air. Anna jumped and buried her head under Suzie’s arm.
Melissa, who hovered beside a metal serving tray, sniffled. She scooted over, pulled up her thin legs, and snuggled against Anna. “We worked so hard for tonight. This is our only home meet, and our parents are coming. Are they going to cancel it?”
Ka-boom! The thunder roared. Suzie patted Anna’s head, stood, and ambled to the door followed by forty children. Sheets of rain fell on the cement decking of the deserted pool at the Destin Community Club, big drops peppering the water. “I don’t think so. It looks as though we’ll have a delay, but the referees don’t cancel meets unless the storm continues for a couple hours. Then both teams have to agree to call it off.” She wasn’t going to suggest calling it off. These kids needed to have a meet with their parents cheering for them.
“So, we’re going to swim?” Excitement rang in Joey’s voice.
“I think so. We’ll know more when the other team and the officials arrive.”
“They must have a television around here somewhere.” Bob circled the room.
Rico jumped up and down and pointed toward the corner. “Look.” His brown eyes danced as though he was proud of himself.
A TV sat on a small white triangular shelf attached three-fourths the way up the wall in a corner.
Bob punched the on switch. “Now if it works.” For a few seconds black filled the screen then a talking head popped up. Bob changed the channel to the weather. “There it is.” He pointed with his slender forefinger. “See the yellow dot. It’s right over us, but it’s moving.”
“Yeahs” and “Yeses” echoed in the room as the kids stood and stared at the images.
Jay jabbed Bob gently on his biceps. “How do you know? Are you going to be a weatherman?”
Bob puffed out his chest. “I might.” He waved his hand over the storm indicator. “This was more to the left when I turned on this station.”
Melissa slapped her hand on her hip. “Just so we swim.” The happy lilt in her voice belied her earlier tears.
“It’s going away. See.” Anna ran toward the door.
“Can we go out, pleeease, Miss Suzie?” Melissa asked.
“Yes, but you absolutely cannot run. The deck may have puddles on it. We want everyone to stay safe and swim for us. We need all of you.”
The kids swarmed onto the pool deck. Panic smothered Suzie as pent up energy and nervousness bouncing off the kids seemed to run amok. Where was Ellie?
Ellie pulled the rustic fence gate open and dashed through the entry, her Bermuda shorts and Dolphins t-shirt showing off her trim figure.
Suzie sighed with relief. “Am I glad to see you.”
“I had to run an errand after I dropped off the kids, but I’m here now until the meet ends.”
Suzie rummaged in her swim bag as she and Ellie strolled to an area beside the clubhouse. “Here are the event cards.”
Ellie pulled her long dark hair into a ponytail, twisted a rubber band around it, then grasped the cards. “I give each child one of these every time he or she swims just like last time, right?”
“Yes.” Suzie thumbtacked the events schedule on the corkboard on the side of the building and tapped it. “Here’s a printout of the lineup.”
“Gotcha.’” Ellie nodded.
“Thank goodness, the rain blew in the other direction, and it’s not soaking wet over here,” Suzie said.
“Right.”
A group of the five and six-year-old Dolphin swimmers raced up to Ellie and hugged her, the backs of their shirts showing off the bold white letters of Vic Deleona Real Estate.
Ellie spread out the quilts Suzie had brought, and the kids dropped down on them. “Matt’s on his way with hot dogs, nachos, and paper goods.”
Suzie’s knees nearly buckled. Stay brave. She’d have to see him again if she kept this job, and the good Lord knew she needed it.
Matt headed toward her with his muscular arms wrapped around a cardboard box, his biceps bulging. A big grin broke out as he approached her. “Hi. Where do you want the food? I have to go back to the car for plates, cups, and plastic silverware.”
Why was he smiling? Suzie parted her lips but couldn’t speak for the pent up tears nearly choking her. This disease ruined everything, but it was good she’d found out how shallow Matt was. He’d acted like a jerk. Did he expect her to be friendly? She had to retain a good business relationship. She tried to force a grin, but her lips quivered.
“Here, I’ll show you, Mister Matt.” Melissa seemed to appear from nowhere.
Appreciation for her at this moment ran through every bone in Suzie’s body. “Thank you, Melissa.” At least Suzie wasn’t too distraught to talk to the children.
Within minutes, Matt dropped off the supplies, and he and Melissa trekked toward the parking lot. Matt high-fived Jay and Bob, who greeted parents from the Sharks team. Then Matt and Melissa disappeared amid children and parents meandering onto the pool deck, setting up chairs, their bases scrapping on the cement. The next time Suzie saw Matt, he brought in another box. Melissa strolled beside him carrying two packages of drink cups that came up to her nose.
“We got it all.” Matt stepped close to Suzie and winked.
How dare him. The pain he’d caused when he brushed her off turned her stomach, and she nearly gagged. “Great.”
Suzie marched to the bullpen. “Ten-and-under Dolphins in the pool for warm-up.” She held up her clipboard and studied the lineup as the kids dove or hopped in the water. A tap landed on her shoulder. She jumped then turned. The brassy smell of Matt’s aftershave wafted across her nose as she stood face-to-face with him. The romance they’d shared stared at her, and disappointment he’d caused crushed her heart. It sank to her toes.
“I didn’t mean to frighten you. What do you want me to do during the meet?” Matt’s eyes searched Suzie as though he tried to say something with them, maybe something kind or was it pity?
Even if she could read the meaning in them, she’d rather not. She had no intentions of putting her emotions out for trampling again. Whatever his orbs said made no dif
ference. His rejection of her because she was ill, the ugliness of this disease. All of it suffocated her. She breathed deep to find her voice. “I left a list of duties with Ellie. Why don’t you check it and pick whatever you’d like.”
“Okay.”
Was that disappointment in his voice? What did he expect from her? She had nothing to say to him. A good business relationship was all she could manage, and that was a little suspect right now. He strode off with the same determined steps he’d taken when they strolled through the parking lot looking for Vic Deleona’s office. Was this meet no more than any other job assignment to him, never mind the kids?
She trembled inside like a leaf blowing in a breeze from simply having to give him an assignment. He had some nerve putting more pressure on her. She sighed. All he did was ask a question, but she was standing here with her stomach knotted when she needed to focus on the meet. He was here for the team, and he was her boss. She’d have to put up with him.
She wanted to win for the kids so badly. How could she give one hundred percent to coaching when she had to assume the team moms’ duties? Stress pulled her insides as tight as an overstretched rubber band. She had to get hold of herself lest she set off a full-blown attack from this malady.
John Marks from The Sun Dial headed her way with a large, muscular boy and a teen girl with a trim figure. Both had dark hair and brown eyes. Silent shouts of joy erupted in Suzie’s head. The heavy ammunition, the year-round U.S. swimmers, had arrived. “Bob Barkowsi and Jay Ward, over here,” she called out.
The two guys pushed themselves up from their seats in the bullpen and stepped over to Suzie.
Jay scratched his head. “You want us?”
“Yes, I’d like you and Bob to conduct warm-up a few minutes.” Suzie made as stern a face as she could. “Don’t let anything happen to those kids.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Bob pulled back his shoulders as he moved to the end of lane two and stood with his feet firmly planted ten inches apart.
Suzie charged to John and shook his hand. Then she directed her gaze toward his niece and nephew. “Amy and Nate, thank you for coming. We’re a brand new team with zero U.S. swimmers. That’s Ellie in the bullpen. Tell her—” Suzie bit her bottom lip. “Here, I’ll take you over there.” Suzie forged a path through the parents and kids, who wandered the pool deck like nomads, and tapped Ellie on the shoulder.
Barely Above Water Page 17