The guys all took a turn working with me on getting the hang of the swimming strokes, but Peter spent
the most time with me. He never showed any impatience at my fear of the water. After a couple of hours of
diligent practicing, he told me to take a break, and walked with me back thru the waves to the sandy beach.
"You did good," he told me. "Take a break and get your energy back."
I sank down to sit in the sand, pushing my hair back. "I know it's silly to be so scared of the water," I said.
"A person's fears are their own. Nothing silly about it," he said, sitting down beside me.
"I've always been afraid of water," I admitted.
"You don't have to surf, or be an Olympic champion swimmer. But if we can help you to not fear the
water, then I'll be satisfied."
I smiled at him, a little shyly. "There was a while today when you made me forget to be afraid."
A grin lit up Peter's entire face. "That's groovy," he said. "I'm glad about that, Sasha."
It was the first time all day that any of them had addressed me as Sasha. And I felt embarrassed, and
really, really bad about lying to them about my real name.
I guess it showed in my facial expression, because Peter tilted his head and looked at me with
concern. "What's wrong?" he asked me.
I shook my head at him. "Nothing," I said.
After a few minutes he went back into the water, taking his surfboard with him. I sat cross-legged
in the sand, watching them swim and surf, and thinking.
When they all came out of the water, talking, and shoving each other playfully, they
started talking about needing to rehearse.
"Looks like you got a bit of sun," Davy said, pointing to the pinkish tinge on my shoulders.
I gave a glance at my shoulder. "Yeah."
They all hiked back thru the sand to the pad, and I followed, wondering if I should go home. To what, though?
The electricity had been turned off. There was very little food in the house. I wanted to save my bus fare, so
I didn't plan on going to see Gramps that day. But it wasn't right to keep hanging around the guys like
I was. My problems were not their problems. They were nice guys, and I didn't want them to know what
a fix that I was in. Or that I specialized in being a thief.
I was startled out of my thoughts by Micky snapping his fingers in front of my face.
"Earth to Sasha," he said, with a grin.
Another Sasha reference. I looked at Micky, embarrassed.
"You're in some deep thought," he said.
I shrugged. "I guess so," I said.
Once up the stairs, and inside the pad, the guys went around turning on fans, still talking to each other.
I was still just standing there, by the sliding glass door, hesitant, when Mike took hold of my arm, and pulled me inside
so that he could shut the door.
Davy was calling from the kitchen, asking if anybody wanted lemonade. Peter and Micky both said that yes, they wanted some.
"How about you, luv?" Davy asked me, standing there, with a silver pitcher in his hand.
"I should probably get home," I said.
"Your mum will be worrying, huh?" Davy asked.
"No," I said honestly. "I don't have a mom."
They all stopped in their respective activities, of picking up papers, and switching on fans, to turn and look
at me. Their faces were serious. Sad.
"Oh," Davy said.
"That's rough," Micky said.
I felt awkward then, shy, and embarrassed. "Yeah." I decided to balance out my lie with a truth. "I live with my Gramps. My grandfather."
Well, considering that Gramps wasn't there, I guess that was a partial truth.
Micky and Davy nodded, as if that was perfectly acceptable. Then, wrinkling his brow in thought, Micky said, "When Davy and I walked you
home the other night, I thought you said something about your mom driving you to see your grandpa."
Oh! "I did say that," I admitted. "I just didn't want you to think I didn't have a way to go see my Gramps."
"Oh," Micky said, still looking puzzled.
"But your grandfather is ill? He's in hospital?" Davy asked, coming back over closer to me, still carrying the empty pitcher.
I tried to think back to what I'd told them. I didn't remember telling them specifically that Gramps was in the hospital. But maybe I had.
As I was sorting back in my mind, trying to remember so that I wouldn't sound like liar, I felt Mike's eyes on me, and turned to see him
watching me, his gaze steady and serious.
It looked like he was thinking of saying something. I hoped he wouldn't, even though I wasn't sure just what he was thinking.
"Umm, yeah. He is, but he's getting better," I said vaguely.
"So you're all on your own then?" Peter asked, coming to stand right beside me, his hand on my elbow.
"Well, no, not exactly," I said quickly. The guys seemed trustworthy, not as if they would report me to social services or anything, but still-
"Gramps paid a neighbor to look after me," I added, not disclosing that that arrangement had been over almost before it had begun. Another
half-truth.
"Aw. Well, that's alright then," Davy said, but they all just kept watching me.
"You could call her up, and ask permission to stay around for awhile," Peter suggested.
I blinked at him, my brain feeling foggy from sun and lies. "Who?" I asked stupidly.
"Your neighbor," Mike said, speaking up for the first time. "The one that's responsible for watching you."
I turned to my left to look at Mike. Again, I got the feeling that he wanted to say something more. That he knew. Knew what, I wasn't sure.
But something. He KNEW something.
"Oh," I said, feeling my face turn red. "Yes."
"You can use the phone," Mike said, and gestured towards the kitchen.
"No. I'll just head out," I said, feeling as if any moment they were all going to discover what a fraud I was.
"You sure?" Peter asked, looking concerned.
"Yeah. I'm sure."
"Well, come back tomorrow. We'll practice your swimming again," Peter said, giving my elbow a squeeze.
"Yes, okay," I said, and gathered up my clothes from before we had gone swimming. "I'll change first. Is that okay?"
"Sure," Peter said, and Davy nodded.
I went to the bathroom, and changed from my swimsuit to my tattered jeans and t-shirt.
I came out, carrying the wet suit, to find the guys crowded around the drums, talking in low tones, in a huddled group.
"Well," I said, trying to sound cheerful. "I'll see you all later then."
Four pairs of eyes turned to face me. "We'll walk you home," Peter said.
"No!" I practically shouted, and they all stared at me, looking shocked.
"I mean, you don't need to," I scrambled for words to make up for my too-loud response. "You guys said you want to practice. I'll be
fine."
They looked reluctant, especially Peter, but they all nodded.
"We'll see you tomorrow then?" Davy asked.
I said yes, and made my escape, going down the stairs and up the beach quickly. I stopped once to look back, and saw two of them standing on
the deck above the stairs.
7