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That day in PE ere doing calisthenics-a fancy word for stretching, and fairly safe for those less coordinated, likeus in the stretches Her aid was a high school cheerleader named Marla Painter, as very beautiful and very…stretchy Her kicks were so high she could hit herself in the side of the head with her kneecap She was showing us all three splits as I unfoldedpapers I supposed they were frole sheet of paper in PE

"Ms Swenson?" I asked shyly Ms Swenson didn’t care much for me She didn’t have a lot of patience for the Klutz club, of which I was president

Ms Swenson finished checking the paper she was on before lifting her eyes in exasperation froe

"Yes?" She answered impatiently

"I have a friend who needs to learn how to swi that here at the school, preferably during school hours?" I finished in a rush, hoping she wouldn’t slap rade is he in?" She asked, her eyes back on her page, checking away

"He’s a senior He’s hbor in Levan, and transportation is a bit of a probleraduates, but he needs to learn to swi to hope, but not hoping too fervently

"Why are you asking for him?" She said suspiciously

"He’s new to the school, and a little shy - so I told his grand my cheeks burn

"Hh school when she finishes I’ll give you a note you have lunch next right?"

All seventh graders had first lunch, and I nodded erly

"Ask Coach Judd or Coach Jasperson about it Maybe they can work sootta kno to swim" She finished in an almost pleasant tone

"Thank you very much, Ms Swenson" I waited while she scribbled ned it like she was in the y into the locker room to see if either Coach Judd or Coach Jasperson was in his office inside She bounced off after that, leaving er to return I waited for a very long tiotten distracted I was about ready to give up in despair when the last person I wanted to see caymnasiu?" Sa outside a place I had no business being

"Ms Swenson sent me up to speak with Coach Judd or Coach Jasperson Marla Painter cao in there!" My voice sounded a little like a wail, and I ee to cry I wasn’t about to tell Samuel I was here for hio see if there’s someone in there"

At that er out of his inner sanctue tuna sandith potato chips sive up any of his lunch break to chat with h of relief and then shuddered in dread This was going to eive an to speak

"Coach Jasperson, Saestured towards Sa to look at hiraduates The problem is he doesn’t kno to swi here at the school, working with so so fast Coach Jasperson had stopped chewing in order to keep up "He can’t come early to school, and he can’t stay late for transportation reasons so it would be a very good thing if you couldschool hours" I sounded like one of those wind-up dolls, prattling along cheerfully

I sneaked a look at Samuel His face was like a cold, hard ain My heart broke a little

"I’uidance counselor to rearrange his schedule to make it work" I’d done what I could do, and my voice trailed off nervously

"The Marines, huh?" Coach Jasperson was chewing again "I’ht? You speak English?"

I cringed I could see why Coach Jasperson thought hefor hilish" Sae in his voice He was furious with me Still, I hoped Coach Jasperson didn’t hear it and ood!" Coach Jasperson was too busy enjoying his sandwich, and hefroo see Mr Whiting, the guidance counselor, and I will set you up with one of the guys from the swi 2nd hour He’s my aid, and I never havesecond hour, you should be set"

Bless Coach Jasperson for being very helpful and a little oblivious at the sa hi to hiers Samuel turned and looked at me over Coach Jasperson’s beefy shoulder I bit lared at ymnasium as quickly as I could