Katharine the Almost Great: Swimming with the Sharks
mean you’re both good swimmers Good swimmers are fast swimmers I’m looking for some new Stingrays He pointed to his badge I’m Coach Geyer He waved his clipboard in the air Want to sign up I wrapped a towel around my waist You betcha A second later Katharine Marie Carmichael was written neatly on the clipboard I’ve never raced before for said Coach Geyer We’ll teach you everything you’ll need to know After the fi rst practice some kids think it’s too much work They don’t come back Others try out but don’t make the team That’s what the clinic’s My heart thumpity thumped Coach wrinkled his nose They’re usually the kids who goof off or are lazy He leaned forward You’re not lazy are you 7
Didn’t he see the hearts I used to dot the i in my name A lazy person does not draw hearts I shook my head from side to side Then I remembered some crazy-o lazy-o stuff But I zipped my lips He didn’t need to know about the weeklong Penelope Parks movie marathon I watched over the holidays Or the clean clothes I stashed under my bed Stashing is way easier than hanging But I didn’t want to lie My voice cracked I’m not a lazy swimmer And I won’t goof off Are you positive asked Coach Geyer I fl ashed my biggest smile Positively positive He scribbled something down on the clipboard What grade are you in Third I answered 8
More scribbling Then he looked Crockett up and down Are you trying out You’re tall You look like a swimmer I stood as straight as a diving board I was at least an inch taller Maybe two I can’t said Crockett I have Junior Rangers meetings next week Coach Geyer patted Crockett’s back Well you’re in luck kid Because the clinic and tryouts are this week That poster was hung up last week Crockett’s face brightened Really So that’s a yes asked Coach Geyer Crockett nodded Ribbit Coach Geyer pulled papers off of the clipboard Have your parents read and sign these I’ll see you both tomorrow night at seven o’clock 9
I raised my arms and pretended to swim away Thanks Coach That’s freestyle he said Don’t forget about butterfl y backstroke and breaststroke Backstroke gulped Breaststroke I gasped I’m not good at those I can’t do the butterfl y stroke at all I Don’t worry he said That’s what practices are for Fly is the hardest stroke It takes a long time to nail it He pointed to a girl swimming in lane three Look at her butterfl y He stepped closer to the pool She shoots through the water like a torpedo Must be a high school kid said Crockett When the swimmer got to the end of the lane she 10
