“Whoa,” Dirk said as they tried to slow down. When they hit the beach, they couldn’t stop, finally coming to a halt three steps into the water. Oddly exhilarated, they were both laughing. Dirk’s other arm went around Cleo’s waist to steady her. “Oops,” he said as the beach towels started to slip from his grasp. He let go of Cleo and threw the towels onto the sand, followed by his shoes. He then pulled off his baseball cap, sunglasses, and T-shirt and tossed them on the heap. Cleo did the same.

Dirk smiled. “How about if I race you out to that marker? It’s halfway across the lake. Can you make it?”

“Last one there is a rotten egg,” Cleo said as she charged into the water.

“That’s the spirit,” Dirk whooped, diving under and swimming past her. The water’s cold but refreshing, Cleo thought. It feels good to swim. I’ve been cooped up for too long. She swam every day at Edna’s, except for the two days it rained. It’s good to get this exercise again. She could see that Dirk was almost at the marker. He stopped, turned his head, and started to tread water. “You okay?”

“Yes,” she called.

“Good.” He turned and started swimming again.

A moment later, Cleo felt a slight cramp in her stomach. Then the pain got sharper. Oh no, she thought. I knew I should have had some water after that jog. I’d better go back. She started to turn her body but the pain was so great she doubled over and started to sink. Her mouth filled with water. Panicked, Cleo started thrashing her arms and legs. “Dirk,” she tried to yell. If I go under, he’ll never find me.

Dirk reached the marker and turned around. His expression turned to horror when he saw her struggling to stay afloat. “Connie!” he yelled, putting his head down and swimming toward her at a frantic pace. When he reached Cleo she was still thrashing her arms with surprising strength even though she felt exhausted.

“Easy, Connie!” Dirk shouted, attempting to grab her arm. But Cleo was in a panic. Her thrashing and flailing were primal. “Connie, stop!” Dirk ordered. “You have to let me help you! Relax! Float on your back!”

Cleo was terrified. But she had to trust him. She let herself go limp and put her head back. The cramp was gone, but so was her strength. Dirk put his right arm around her upper torso, rested her head on his shoulder, and with his left arm, started to paddle back to shore.

“Don’t worry, Connie,” he said gently. “You’ll be fine.”

On the beach, he eased her down onto the sand and placed the beach towel under her head. Cleo was breathing hard. “I’m sorry,” she said, her chest heaving, her eyes filled with tears.