"How do you know my name?"
I had. While apologizing because I thought I was taking too long.
"We actually have something that really is yours," he said.
He handed her a smaller blue box tied with silver ribbon.
Mia opened it slowly.
Inside was a stuffed sea turtle wearing tiny sunglasses, two dessert vouchers, a photo session card, and a laminated badge that read, "Pool Hero."
But beneath all that was a handwritten card.
He handed her a smaller blue box tied with silver ribbon.
Mia pulled it out.
Different handwriting filled the inside.
"Welcome back to being a kid."
"Your cannonball made my morning."
"We saved the shadiest umbrella for you."
"Strawberry smoothies are better with whipped cream. Come see me."
"Keep swimming, brave girl."
I looked up.
"Welcome back to being a kid."
The young man from the smoothie bar lifted his hand.
The lifeguard smiled.
A housekeeper near the towel station wiped her eyes with the back of her wrist.
My throat closed.
The manager stood beside me.
"I hope you don't mind me saying something."
I shook my head.
