I groan and lower myself further into the water until all that’s left above the surface is my head.

Jaxon and his grandfather are swimming over to us in the middle of the pool. And Jaxon’s wearing that evil smirk he loves to taunt me with.

“You look like a blond Oompa Loompa minus the spray tan. Get up,” Neil says, pulling my arm until I’m standing again.

I shoot him a dirty look as Jaxon and Samuel arrive.

“Hi, Raegan.”

I plaster on a fake smile. “Hi, Jaxon. Didn’t realize our grandparents were at the same nursing home. I’ve never seen you here before.”

“I usually don’t come on the weekends, but I’ve been working so late during the week that I had to switch my visits.”

His grandfather nudges him with his elbow and signs something with his hands. To my surprise, Jaxon signs back. I watch their hand gestures go back and forth. Then Samuel extends his hand toward me and smiles.

I shake his hand and look up at Jaxon. “How do I sign nice to meet you?”

Jaxon’s eyes widen and his lips part, as if he’s caught off-guard by my question. He blinks a few times and clears his throat before he speaks. “Uh … okay. First you’re going to put your palms together, like this.” He places one hand on top of the other. “Then you swipe your top hand over the bottom. That means nice.”

“Okay, so I’m making a sandwich, and then sliding it over to you,” I say, mimicking his hand movements.

He laughs. “Good. Then you’re going to hold both hands up like you’re showing the number one. Face them towards each other, and now you have meet.”

“I get it. The two fingers look like they’re two people meeting.” I turn to Samuel and repeat the steps Jaxon showed me.

Samuel’s face lights up and he claps. Then he signs something else.

“He said good job.”

I smile and offer him the sign for thank you, which is the only thing I know how to sign, thanks to watching Sesame Street with Mia and William.

“How do you two know each other?” Grandma asks.

“We work together. Jaxon’s the new principal at my school.”

I watch as Jaxon’s hands move to interpret for his grandfather. Samuel then signs something that makes Jaxon laugh.

“What did he say?” I ask.

“He said you’re very pretty.”

Heat burns my cheeks. “Thank you. Jaxon, this is my grandmother, Annette.”

Jaxon shakes Grandma’s hand and brings it to his lips, pressing a chaste kiss to the back of her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Annette.”

She fans herself. “Oh, my. What a gentleman your grandson is, Sam.”

Sam watches her lips as she talks, then puffs his chest out and grins.