ell'

Michelle and her water gun around the pool. That sq

d her a lot. There was a charming dichotomy to her; one minute she was mature, the n

the pool, smiling with success and s

elight. She was soaked. Her white bikini was stuck to her like a second skin and, almost in passing, I noticed how translucent it had become. Very slight moun

slender, I hadn't considered that she was going through puberty. She looked matured but only by age. Yet, with

ng her away from him while she kept me company? In fact, why wasn't

her, and decided it was time to ch

f cold water hit

h fire," I warned her, swimmin

had to grin. She was so brig

the sun umbrella. Michelle propped her fe

ny friends at s

several

ed you spending

on the glass-topped patio table. "I see th

ng w

we go to Starbucks. Som

here? Would you like me to

he laughed. "Just kidding. Sure. I'll invite them fo

cook

," she

out ham

e bou

mem

't want to poison them. They'

nd to perfect my burger-making skills. Then I steered the conversation around to her interes

dent, neither excelling nor failing at any subject. It didn't m

e far more important in my mind. And as I watched her talk, I liked her even more. I liked the shape of her fac

le was to me. She was my world, and I experienced a new feeling - love. I quite adored her; quirky, zany, and trying to be mature. Listening to

de, bent and kissed her cheek. "You're ama

her and headed to the kitchen. There was

nnected. Dad adored her! It was so clear in his expression. Warm

ber being so happy

n. Dad didn't remember anything! He wouldn't rem

should she handle it? Her mind spun w

come. Her mind wouldn't stop, ideas coming, dismissed, more arriv

onball into the pool. She liked Phillip. He was a bit chunky and the ki

ic blaring, with her friends yelling and

id, passing her a plas

friend, her partner in crime,

et and watchful, slender and dark-haired. His neon orang

e. "What's

ing.

u. How come? I thought, with your dad

ad hasn't lost his m

ng," Juli

like, going nuts. Dad's not nuts ..

ike now? Is

the barbecue, smoke billowing. He looked really good. Yesterday, she'd forced him to buy a beard trimmer and made him sit while she tidied his unshaven face, giving

k, probably about cars.

strange? Does your dad

doesn't get lost. He's n

what?" She waited, then nudge

fferent, as in u

't leave me hanging

hard to explain. You remember how he used to be; always busy,

u liked it that way

d. "I did. But

her father a

my dad in sweat-shorts and an old

mention it,

He likes the dumbest things. The other night, he ordered ev

way!

eating there. They stared at us like we were crazy and I had the best time ever! That's what I mean by him being different. Dad

ve seen so little

, I love spending t

spending time with him, but spend a

. She smiled. "Yeah,

king, with music blaring. Yet, I liked the cacophony, the disorder, the energy. Michelle's friends were an eclectic group. G

the pool, a no-rules water polo-type game currently underway. It was obvious

waved it away and added cheese slices to h

tted her on the far side of the pool chattin

come over. She finally moved. I enjoyed looking at her. In her teal bikini

ked when she arrived

lled me

e it," I observed. "Sorr

s ... You never called

or

ul smile burst on her face. "I re

" I said, nodding t

l. "No kidding! Jeez,

lled," I

, "Guys! Food's served

as fast as I could. The wave passed quickly, her

elle passed by me and shoved. I toppled into the pool with a yell, her friends laughing. Michelle grinned at me, her eyes twinkling. She shrieke