Free Swim Again by Aimi Myles

no.”  He shook his head.  “She will not budge.  Won’t even talk about flight accommodations with me.  But I heard that you dipped your toe into a couple of practices.”
    “One and concentrated on the internet the whole time.”
    “You had to have watched Brayden a few times.”
    “I peeped up every once in a while.  If Kaz gets back into the same shape—”
    “I am in the same shape baby,” Kaz said, breaking up the conversation.  “Watch me work.”  He splashed some water on himself then dove into the pool and began doing laps.”  I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to handle seeing him too long out of the water.  His abs… and then there was his shorts, which he hung, low across his hips.  Note one: keep Kaz in the water.
    “I’ve got him on autopilot,” Mark said.  “He is working hard; I can’t refute that.”
    “I see,” I said.
    “Most of the mistakes he realizes he makes.  When you were in there, you knew too.  I’m simply here for him to confirm those thoughts and have ideas bounced off of me.  So the job is pretty simple.  Watch and wait.”
    You don’t have to tell me that again.
    Mark and I took a seat on the metal bleachers and chatted about my family, and how Kaz had been improving.  We turned our attention to Kaz when he was finished warming up.  Mark had him do some vertical jumping exercises, where Kaz would go down to the bottom of the pool and practice quick kicks after pushing up.  He also practiced diving and merged it with the skills used in the dolphin kick exercises to develop a strong start.        
     

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    “I’m so tired,” Kaz said as he reclined his head onto the headrest in his truck.  He sat on the passenger side.  After practice I let him know that I was chauffeuring him.
    “That looked tiring,” I said.  “So tiring that I feel the burn in my legs.”
    “It’s way past burning.  I don’t know if I have control of them anymore.”
    “So am I dropping you off at your house?” I asked. 
    “No,” Kaz said.  “Your mom wouldn’t forgive me if I didn’t visit as soon as I could.”
    “Well, if you’re not on cheat day, you will be.  She’s going to make you stay for dinner.”
    “That’s what I want.  Good luck helping me get up once I sit down.”
    “Then my dad is going to offer you a drink.”
    “I’ll take a non-alcoholic version.  Got to save some space for the holidays.”
    “Are you sure you want to go today?  We can always go next week.”
    “I’m sure.”

 
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    “Hey mom,” I called out, walking into the house with Kaz behind me.  “I’m home.”
    “I’ll be right down Maureen,” Mom said.  “You better have my son in law with you when I get there.  I heard he’s back in town, and I heard you saw him.  Why didn’t you tell me?”
    My mom trampled down the stairs and turned the corner.  She was in shock.  “There he is!  Oh, my you have grown haven’t you?”  Mom said with her arms wide open.  Kaz ate the attention up and still had his arm wrapped around her shoulders after they hugged.
    “I knew I would see you again, Mr. Kaz,” Mom said.  “This time, we’re not going to let you go that easy.”
    “Good,” Kaz said.  “And we have some big news to break to you.”
    “You’re engaged!” Mom said and dropped her chin.  She patted Kaz on the hand. 
    “Almost,” Kaz said.
    Haha.  Almost.  Don’t give me a reason to start that dream.
    Kaz was waiting on me to say something.  “It’s your news to tell.”
    “Oh, well I’m going to give the most outstanding contribution that I can give to the world and be Kaz’s coach.”
    “Well, that’s a little bit of an exaggeration for that task,” Mom said. 
    “These statements are from le mind de Kaz ,” I said. 
    “Well, Kaz,” Mom said, tilting her head up at him.  “I thought all of those years of practice taught you to go for the win, not second place.”
    “Wow,” Kaz said.
    “You’re