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“Do a couple of warm-up laps, little beaver. Then we’ll practice some backstrokes.” Theo points to the pool, dropping his bag on one of the nearby tables.
“Okay, dokay!” Lyn calls, double-checking her swim cap before dipping her big toe in to test the water. Once she determines it’s okay, she dives in, leaving Theo and me at the end, watching her slice through the water.
“It’s wild to think of how far she’s come,” I tell him, slipping my laptop from my bag.
He nods. “She’s worked hard, Ms. Tran. I hope she’ll keep swimming when she’s older.”
“Oh, I can guarantee it. She talked about it nonstop last week when the Olympics were on. It’s more of her having to co-exist in a team I’m worried about.”
Ever since Lyn was old enough to play with the other little girls in our neighborhood, I could tell very quickly she wasn’t a people person. She’s perfectly content being in her own little bubble and only invites in the few who won’t disturb her peace.
Being on a team will mean relying on others, working together, and giving up some of that peace in exchange for growth.
“She’s got it. She starts kindergarten this year, right?”
I nod slowly, the bitter-sweet truth of what this week means sinking in. In a few short days, we’ll be laying out clothes for the first day of school. “Yep.”
Theo smirks, drawing my attention to the lone dimple on his cheek. “It’s going to be great. Just imagine all the stuff you’ll be able to get done while she’s learning how to share chewed-up crayons.”
I laugh, though the sound is strained. “When I’m not obsessing over what she’s doing, yeah, I’m sure I’ll get a lot done.”
His grin wavers, something passing over his ocean-blue eyes I can’t quite decipher. After a beat, he drags his bottom lips through his teeth and huffs to himself. “I get that. I wish I could say it gets better or easier, but in my experience, you’ll never stop wondering.”
My brows furrow, the realization dawning that I have no idea if Theo has children. We talk, but it’s mostly about Lyn. “Do you have—”
He shakes his head, seemingly coming back to himself. “Oh, no, just referring to that heaviness of missing someone.”
A strange stinging sensation pinches me in the center of my chest. “Lovesick, Theo?”
He grunts, turning to strip from his shirt, revealing the tight lifeguard swim shirt clinging to the dips and ridges of his muscle. “Yeah, you could say that.”
Before I can dwell on his words or appreciate the view, he dives in after Lyn, leaving me to the strange array of emotions twirling through my thoughts.
The feeling is so close to misplaced jealousy, I subconsciously scold myself as I find a shaded spot under an umbrella.
It takes a few minutes and a few replays of our conversation before I’m finally able to focus on my work.
Thirty minutes pass, and I’m in the middle of combing through a new clients’ expenses when I hear it.
The soft, distinct buzz of a bee.
Being a single mom, I’ve kind of been forced to get over my mild fear of insects. Unfortunately, my body is still very allergic to the flying pollinators.
My heart rate spikes as I check my surroundings, careful not to move too fast, but the second I spot the round little bug on my knee, instincts fly out the window.
I jerk up, a screech ripping from my throat as I move, and of course, I lose my balance. Falling over the lounger, I try to both hold on to my laptop for dear life and brace for impact. Failing miserably, my shoulder hits the metal table next to me, causing it to flip, and a corner of it cuts into the skin right above my left breast.
Before I can properly process what’s happened, Theo is at my side, a towel pressed to my chest as he helps me stand.
“Everything’s all good, Lyn. Keep practicing while I help your mom.”
Over his shoulder, I see her perched on the edge of the pool, her big eyes round with worry. I smile, waving a hand. “There was a bee.”
“Did it get you, Mommy?”
I shake my head, trying my best to ignore the warmth radiating from where one of Theo’s hands is pressed into my lower back to steady me. “The crash scared him.”
Lyn’s face visibly relaxes. “Oh, good. Be more careful next time.”
