Free Bamboo and Lace by Lori Wick Page B

happen the first time the Kapaias tried to teach her something. Lily purposed in her heart to do better.
    Ashton looked at her profile.
    â€œAre you sure?”
    â€œYes.”
    The swimming instructor glanced down just then and spotted a bottle of sunblock by the leg of the chaise lounge.
    â€œDo you need some of this?”
    Having gone back to thinking about what had just happened, Lily answered without even focusing on the plastic container.
    â€œWill it help me swim?”
    Ashton laughed at her joke and stood up.
    â€œIt sounds like you’re as ready as you’re going to be, Lily. Come on. I’ll go in with you this time.”
    Discarding his T-shirt, Ashton walked to the edge of the steps, and Lily made herself follow. When they finally stood in the three-foot area, Ashton directed her to the edge of the pool.
    â€œOkay, the first thing I need to tell you is that I’ll be between you and the deep end. You’re not going to slip off again.”
    â€œOkay.” Lily knew she sounded breathless but couldn’t help herself.
    â€œThe next thing I need is for you to look at me every time I speak.”
    Lily’s eyes came up.
    â€œEven if I don’t call your name, as soon as you hear my voice, you look at me. Can you do that?”
    After Lily nodded, he showed her how he wanted her to lean her forearms against the edge, put her legs back, and kick.
    And with that, the lesson commenced. Lily was a swift learner, and her desperate need to have Jeff and her father be proud of her propelled her to keep on, even when she felt afraid. In less than an hour she had learned the survival float and was moving toward the five-foot area.
    â€œI can’t believe you never swam before,” Ashton kept saying. “You’re doing a great job.”
    â€œI’m a little worried about the deep part.”
    â€œWell, I’ll be right with you. In no time at all, you’ll be jumping from the board.”
    Lily couldn’t help but laugh, but as the lesson grew more difficult, time faded away. Lily’s head was in and out of the water so often, she lost all sense of the day. She was learning to breathe properly, kick her feet, and keep her hands perfectly cupped for her straight-arm strokes.
    â€œHow’s it going?” Bailey called from the edge of the deep end. It was well after 3:00.
    â€œGreat. After trying to drown the woman, I think I might have taught her to swim.”
    Lily laughed again.
    â€œIf you’re going to stay out much longer, Lily,” Bailey said conversationally, “you’d probably better get some more block on. You’re looking a little red.”
    Before Lily could ask the question that was inside of her, Ashton spotted it too.
    â€œYou are red, Lily. We had better finish up for today.”
    â€œAll right. Thank you, Ashton.”
    â€œYou’re welcome. You did a great job.”
    Lily swam to the shallow end and climbed from the pool, still self-conscious about being in a swimsuit, but when she toweled off, she did notice that her shoulders and arms were tender. That faded, however, when she felt hunger gnawing at her insides. The bowl of fruit in the kitchen came to mind, and after thanking Ashton again and wrapping up in her towel, Lily headed that way.
    After the snack, Lily went up to take a shower. She smelled of chlorine and wanted it out of her hair. She would have enjoyed learning about the workings of the pool, but there had been no opportunity to ask.
    Lily had been in the shower just a few minutes when a wave of nausea hit her. She thought she might have eaten too fast and was glad when it passed. However, when she climbed from the shower and looked at herself in the bathroom mirror, this time without her suit, a feeling of dread covered her. She was red. Very red. And a dull headache had started to throb around her forehead.
    By the time she got to her room she felt very tired as well. After dressing in