Yeah, you two!
I don’t care if he’s your brother—
you can’t shove him into the pool.
No, you can’t shove anyone
into the pool.
No, you can’t dunk him and
hold him under either.
I don’t care that he ate your
cookie.

No, you can’t blow my whistle.
Because it’s a lifeguard whistle,
and you’re not the lifeguard.
Yeah, you can wear my hat.
For a minute. I need it back.
To keep me from getting
sunburned.
Yes, I see your sunburn.
It’s a doozy.
Yes, yours is a doozy, too.

What are your names?
And you’re how old?
I’m 18. Yes, I coach one
of the swim teams.
You want to be on the swim team?
Well, let me watch you swim.
Yes, your brother, too.

Can you put your face in the water?
Blow bubbles? Turn your head
to the side and breathe?
Yeah, like that. Good.

Nice handstands.
No, we don’t do handstands
on the swim team. But it’s
great that you can do them.

Let’s see how fast you can swim.
Sure, I’ll blow my whistle.
Ready? On your mark,
get set, go!

•••

Thanks to Genaro Molina of the Los Angeles Times
for the inspiration and his excellent photo.