My Life

It was a very hot, humid day in Indiana, as I walked in to the pool area in my little red swim suit.  My father had a firm grip on my hand.  The pool was huge, and I sensed a difference in my father's touch.  As we approached the lesson area, his grip became hard.  He then picked me up and hurled me into the deep water. "Time to learn how to swim, Julie!"  Luckily, the chief instructor/head lifeguard/head swim team coach grabbed me before I sank.  Words ensued between between my father and my savior (whom I would eventually call Chuck.) My father stalked off, and I took my first swim lesson.  I learned to float on my front and back within 30 minutes.  Chuck hugged me and told me that I learned very quickly for a four-year-old.  My swim career had begun.