Editor’s note: We stop this series of short-form thriller and dramatic stories for an announcement: Romantic comedy! It’s not something I usually read or write but my writing group is trying something new this week to stretch our skills. I hope you enjoy my stab at something light.
Babs Larrison was sopping wet, mad, and scared. Thoughts flooded her mind.
Why did I sign up for these stupid lessons? I’m too old to learn how to swim. My hair hates the water and I hate this instructor. Barking orders like a drill sergeant!
“Babs! Stop flapping your arms around. Straighten your body. We are learning to float, not flail!”
Babs looked at James Masters like a seal looking at a killer whale: fear with a tinge of disgust. Masters had, in fact, been a drill sergeant in a former life.
I don’t know who he thinks he is. Flapping is the only thing keeping me from sinking and drowning. This man is going to kill me. Yes, he is. My mother will get a visit from the swim facility notifying her of my death. I’m sorry, Mrs. Patterson, Babs suffered an in-class accident during the floating exercise. We are sorry for your loss …
The only other student in the class swam next to Babs as she tried to lay face up in the water, and gave her a gentle touch on the small of her back.
“Just calm down and straighten out, like you’re stretching your legs one way and your arms the other. Go straight as a board. Arch your back.”
This gentle touch came from Ryan, who was a novice swimmer but picked up things easily. He smiled down at her as she floated on the surface.
“I did it!”
“Yeah, you did!”
“Ryan, get back to your place and let Babs take my instruction.”
Upon hearing Masters’ voice, she sank like a rock.
Gurgle gurgle gurgle ….
Ryan dove under the water and raised her back to the surface. He carried her out of the pool and onto the deck. He pressed upward on her chest, and she coughed out water. She came to with an appreciation for life and ferocity to get Masters.
I knew it! I knew that man was going to kill me.
She looked up into Ryan’s face and gazed at his kind hazel eyes and pouty lips that she suddenly realized were very kissable.
(cough, cough) “No mouth to mouth?”
She smiled as sexy as she could having nearly drowned.
“You didn’t need it. Just a slight massage to get the pool water out of your windpipe. But, if you want …” He moved in closer.
“Ryan, get off Babs! Babs! Get back in the water!”
They both looked at Masters, glaring. He backed off.
“Uh, maybe you should take some breaths, take a break,” the drill sergeant said, his roar turning into a purr.
Ryan helped Babs to her feet. Her first steps were a little wobbly.
“Whoa, hold on little lady. Careful on this wet deck.”
“Thanks, Ryan, I don’t think swimming is for me.”
“I’m not going to push you, but I encourage you to try again. I’m not great but I can show you the basics. And I promise I won’t bark orders like Masters.”
Babs grinned. “Well, there are a few basics I think we can show each other.”
Her eyes trailed down his muscular chest and stopped short of his trunks. She looked back up quickly, slightly embarrassed.
He chuckled. This swimming lesson was over.