Cherry swam over to me. “Thanks for getting Darius to let me sign up for swimming. It’s great.”
I noticed her dark hair growing in. “No problem.”
Cherry hopped out of the pool. “Do you think I’m getting too much sun? I’m sensitive, you know?”
“A little. Take my towel.”
“Thanks,” she said.
Darius blew his whistle. As Cherry turned to look at him, I felt Sophie’s hip ram into my side. I flew into the deep end and sunk to the bottom.
I panicked, buried by clear water. Blurred legs and arms splashed around me. I didn’t know how to get to the surface.
A strong arm suddenly flung me out of the pool and onto the deck. It was Darius.
Di Genta turned me onto my side and wiped the water from my mouth.
I spit out water, choking.
“Are you okay? What happened?” Di Genta asked.
Sophie was staring at me.
“I slipped.”
Cherry looked like she was about to say something. Then I noticed her head pulled back, as if she’d been yanked by the hair.
The girls lined up, ready to go back with Darius. I stood up. Di Genta took hold of my elbow, asking me to stay behind.
“Mr. Darius, I’d like to speak to Darlene for a few minutes. I’ll escort her back to the dorm, if that’s all right with you.”
“That’s fine.” I saw Darius glide his hand down Sophie’s back to her butt.
Once they left, Di Genta said, “Darlene, I know you didn’t slip. Tell me. What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” I said.
“Why didn’t you tell me you couldn’t swim?”
I just looked at her.
Her thin lips opened. “Darlene, it’s not safe if you can’t swim.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll never be back.” I wiped my face with a towel.
“You know, I could teach you to swim—after school, before the dorms start sessions.” She picked up something from the deck. “Everyone should know how to swim.”
“No thanks.” I turned. “We better get going,” I said.
Darius was standing outside the open door of the shower room. He was waiting for the others to change into their clothes. He acted like he wasn’t looking in.
“Thanks for your help,” Di Genta said.
“Anytime.” He smiled.
She walked away. Darius stroked my arm before I headed into the showers. “I guess you owe me for your life too.” He whispered, “Want to know what my payment is?”
I was shocked. “Thought you forgot about that.”
“Nope. Are you still in?”
I swallowed. “Of course. I keep my word.”
“The next time I work the midnight shift, wear your loosest nightshirt, no bra.”
“I never wear a bra to bed.”
“Perfect, so come up to the desk while I’m sitting there, and bend over—way over,” he whispered. “I’d like a picture to remember you by.”
I about flipped. “I can do that.”
“Cool. See you then.” He winked. “All of you.”
I wondered how many other girls bent over the desk for Darius.
“Next time could you wear a suit that fits a little tighter?”
For a split second, I thought about writing Mama to send another bathing suit. My stomach twisted, remembering she was in a coma, and Jesse was in foster care.