Linda looked toward the shallow end where the other kids were practicing holding their breath underwater with two of her brothers, then back to me.  “See how much fun those guys are having, blowing bubbles and floating?”  She waited for me to agree that it looked fun, but to me they looked like they were all seconds away from horrible wet deaths.

“They all jumped.”  Now, she was resorting to peer pressure, like that had ever worked with me.  I didn’t care if they all thought I was the hugest baby dork on the whole planet, I did not want to die. 

Linda must have sensed what I was thinking.  “I am right here.  I promise I will catch you.  Just once, okay?”

© Salahub 2003