[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.The kids were so excited they scampered from one endof the boat to the other, jumping up and down and squealing with delight and anticipation.The instant the anchor splashed into the water, a babble of pleas to go swimming erupted from thechildren.The din was so overwhelming Maude Ann couldn't get a word in."Hey! Knock it off, you guys," Matt barked, hopping down the ladder on his good leg."We're going todo this in an orderly manner.Now, I want all of you to line up over here," he ordered, pointing to a spoton the deck in front of him.To Maude Ann's amazement, not only did the kids scramble to obey, except for a few giggles andelbow pokes, they were quiet about it.None of them appeared to be frightened by Matt's gruffness, nordid they seem to mind his dictatorial manner."All right now, if you can swim, raise your hand.Good.Good.Marshall, you, Yolanda and Dennis canhelp Maude Ann and me keep an eye on the other kids.Younonswimmers keep your life jackets on.""Uh, Matt," Maude Ann said, "those are a bit bulky.I brought somefloaties and inner tubes for the littleones to wear while swimming."He frowned."What the hell is a 'floatie'?""You'll see.I'll go get them."When Maude Ann returned, she and Matt spent the next fifteen minutes blowing up the inflatable cuffsand putting them on the upper arms of the three youngest children.To save Tyrone the indignity of being lumped in with the little ones, Matt slid a red plastic inner tube overhis head and ordered him to stick beside him once they were in the water.When at last they were ready, Matt jumped over the side first to test the depth of the water.Finding itcame just to his waist, he signaled to the older kids to join him.Whooping with joy, Marshall picked uphis little brother and tossed him over the side.As Dennis hit the water, his brother reached for Yolanda, Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlbut the shrieking girl dodged him and jumped in on her own.Marshall followed right behind.Matt watched them for a few minutes to assess their competence.None of them were Olympic materialbut they were good enough swimmers to put his mind at ease.Tyrone's gaze followed his friends with envy, but he eyed the water with a good amount of trepidation.Seeing his dilemma, Matt stepped closer to the side of the boat and murmured, "Just hold on tight to theinner tube with both hands, close your eyes and jump."The boy flashed him a wild-eyed look.If anything, he appeared more frightened than before."C'mon, punk.It's not that deep here.See?" Matt held up both arms to show the boy where the waterreached on him."If you jump, your feet will probably touch the bottom for a second, then you'll bob rightback up.Nothing to it."Tyrone leaned forward and peered over the edge of the boat at the water.He caught his lower lipbetween his teeth."You can do it," Matt quietly urged."And you know you can trust me.I won't let anything happen toyou.Now c'mon, jump.Show 'em you're not afraid."Tyrone's round-eyed stare went from Matt to the water, then back to Matt.For a second Maude Annthought he would refuse.Then, setting his jaw, he clutched the inner tube under both arms, closed hiseyes, sucked in a deep breath and took the plunge.He hit the water with a yell and a tremendous splash, but when he surfaced, he was grinning."I did it!""Sure you did," Matt acknowledged matter-of-factly."Just don't go getting cocky on me.And stayclose.As soon as we get the little ones into more shallow water, you're going to get some swimminglessons, punk."Tyrone looked ecstatic, and Maude Ann's heart filled with gratitude.She could have kissed Matt for hisgruff kindness toward the boy.Demanding her attention, the three remaining children hopped around on the deck as though it was onfire, squealing, "Me next! Me next, Miz Maudie! I wanna goswimmin ' too!" Surreptitiously, Maude Annwiped the moisture from her eyes and handed Jennifer and Timothy down into Matt's waiting arms.WithDebbie straddling her hip, the child's arms locked around her neck in a death grip, she stepped off theside of the boat.For the next couple of hours the older children swam and played a water game understandable only tothem, while Matt and Maude Ann worked with the younger ones in the shallow water near the shore.Matt showed remarkable patience and gentleness with the children.Within an hour they could all treadwater.After two hours, Jennifer and Tyrone were happily paddling around and diving to the bottom toretrieve the coins and other objects that Matt tossed there.Even little Debbie and Timothy learned tofloat and do the dog paddle.What they lacked in form they more than made up for in joy andenthusiasm.After a few hours of play, the children were ravenous and clamoring for lunch.Once they had eaten,Maude Ann issued orders that no one could return to the water for at least an hour.The children Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlcomplained, but she stood her ground.When Matt backed her up, they accepted defeat and wanderedoff to seek other diversions.Sitting on the picnic blanket, Maude Ann watched them play, her face soft with fondness."They'rehaving such a good time." She turned her head and looked at Matt."Thank you so much for coming withus today
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
