Love Double Dutch!

to this one. Even going to church was a surprise, but then again I’ve heard that a family that prays together stays together, which I always wished for my family. But while I’ve been here, I have prayed so hard that things would go okay: with my parents, that we’ll win the competition at Madison Square Garden; I even prayed for Sally. I hope she heard everything the preacher was saying about refusing to be fearful, to always be strong and have courage because God is always with you. I have never told anyone, but it’s my secret weapon. I use it against anything and anyone who tries to hurt me—ever since third grade, when I read the Bible for the first time with my mom. Since then I’ve never let anyone bully me or anything scare me, even the stuff with my mom and dad. If they break up, I will be sad, but eventually I know I’ll be okay. It’s just not what I want for me and Cameron. But that’s just me. I never told Sally about my weapon, because I didn’t want her to think I was some Jesus freak, but maybe I am…on the inside. I guess I just try to practice it before I go preaching it, since I never want to act like I am holier-than- thou. Hopefully she’ll learn sooner than later who’s really got her back.

—

When we arrive at the house, Uncle Larry announces that after three hot weeks of summer, the pool is finally finished! And while we were at the camp yesterday, Aunt Jeanie sneakily planned a surprise pool party! Melissa and Tina are at the house with their pool toys and ready to go in no time. And to my and Sally’s surprise, Auntie invited Charlie and some of his friends!

I can’t believe it. There he is…in his swimming trunks…with a big Super Soaker water gun. Um…yeah! Butterflies. I didn’t have time to think about how cute I look in this one-piece bathing suit Aunt Jeanie picked up for me.

But I suddenly feel weird about the mosquito bites on my legs. I completely forgot about the tiny vampires of the South that multiply like New York City fruit flies. They’re everywhere, just waiting to drain my double Dutch legs of their beauty. Now I look like I have the chicken pox. Yuck! I try to cover up without looking awkward. I guess I look okay, because Charlie is watching my every move.

Sally and I just wave as we set down our towels on the new patio lounge chairs. I feel like I’m back at the beach resort my dad took us to once, when we went to Disney World when I was six. Luckily three of Charlie’s friends have come too, including the one who seemed to like Sally, so hopefully there won’t be any awkwardness between us over Charlie. I try to play it cool and not act so nervous as I walk to the edge of the pool, but I almost trip over my own two feet like I even forgot how to walk. Now I know what Auntie meant by “girls tripping over themselves.”

But before we can dip our toes in the water, Uncle Larry makes the eight of us, plus my anxious little brother and Sally’s two brothers, wait until he finds his whistle. It’s starting to feel more like a celebration for him, since his summer project is finally complete. But with every passing second of us standing in the sun, the temperature outside can’t get any hotter. With the boys on one side, we all start fidgeting around and sneaking peeks at each other like second graders playing peekaboo. Suddenly Uncle Larry pops out of the sliding doors with his whistle in the side of his mouth.

“Are you sharks ready to swim?” he asks. “Hold on. You all know how to swim, right?” Everyone nods and yells yes except me. I can flop around like a fish out of water pretty good, but I definitely can’t swim. So I raise my hand to confess.

“Well, I’m not quite sure—” I say.

“I’ll teach her.” Charlie cuts me off. All my teammates giggle as Uncle Larry looks at him. Sally smiles and nods as if to say, It’s cool.

“Kayla, stay on the shallow side,” Uncle Larry says. “I’ll be watching you, boy.” He points at Charlie, who just grins kindly. Uncle Larry is so funny! “Ready, on three! Everybody count with me.”

“One-two-three!” We all jump in! Yeeeeesss!!

Not long after we jump in, Marc and Gabriella show up with beach balls and all kinds of water gadgets. Sally and the team look at each other, knowing that before the day is over we’ll have to ask Gabriella to coach us. I think we all want to jump out of the pool and ask her right away, but we are having so much fun and we are right in the middle of water tag. Too fun! Besides, I haven’t had any time alone with Charlie. Just tagging “You’re it!” is all we can think about right now.

While we play hours of water guns, Marco Polo, and water volleyball, and just float around on lounge floaties, Uncle works himself into a frenzy over the grill. Thank goodness, because I am hungry!

“Come on, you crumb snatchers!” Uncle Larry shouts. “Come get some grub!”

We can’t get out of the pool fast enough, but as soon as I try to climb out, I’m unexpectedly pulled back in. Ugh! Charlie! He laughs and I splash water in his face. He splashes back. A splash fight! Everyone is egging us on. Until I hear: “Kayla!” It’s Aunt Jeanie calling me. We stop, but not before water splashes her too. Charlie and I gasp.

“Sorry, Aunt Jeanie,” I say through a tight smile. She just blinks hard to avoid getting water in her eyes, and then wipes her hair back.

“Your mother is on the phone, sweetie,” Aunt Jeanie says, regaining her dignity.

My mother? All