A Pool Day
a small thing
The life is all about work right now. Thankfully, I enjoy it for the most part, maybe not on Fridays, when I wish Americans would adopt a four day workweek already. On this Sunday evening, I am reminded I like to write.
As a result of the weight of the heat, national news, and the July milieu I have decided to keep much of my words in the journal rather than for public consumption. My 35 year old self would barely recognize me! Perhaps this vignette from earlier in the summer will allow me to dip my toe in the water again.
We went to the pool. The one where the kids love to go. If I get to choose, I will not choose this one. I prefer an expanse of water, not “things to do” or currents or slides. I can entertain myself with shallow and or deep water, no need for bells and whistles.
Alas, we get a late start. Honestly, I knew it would be packed. I prepared. I had our snacks, towels, my book, sunscreen. It was our first trip to the pool for the summer. We usually go earlier but the heat had not quite hit yet. This weekend it had and everyone had the same idea. I knew, I prepared, I was ready to be very chill about the situation. Deep breathe.
Thankfully! We arrived at the pool just as break began, so people were leaving, meaning the pool did not have a waiting line to get in! YAY! Winning already. We took a walk around to see if there were any available seats. Sadly, there were none.
But…wait, what is this?
An older couple…they are at a table with an umbrella and they are making moves.
I approach with purpose “are you all headed out?” I ask hopefully.
The woman gives me this apologetic look “yes we are…” and pauses “but we are giving our table to them…” and points to another couple sitting on the long white chairs and a child on towel.
“oh great, we can take your chairs” I say far too optimistically and friendly and without thinking things through well.
Burly tall man from long white chairs with exceptionally large belly stands up and approaches me in what I only later decide is his effort to intimidate me, but at the time find confusing and ridiculous.
Woman attached to burly big belly man indicated she will need the table and chairs because she does not want her children to eat in the sun. I side eyed her incredulously. And I did that thing I do, those who know me know I do this, “so you are telling me in this crowded pool, with no seats available, you want both the seats you are currently in AND the table here, so your family can eat?” They didn’t answer, but argued they have a right to the table because the older couple saved the table for them
The older couple woman said “well we haven’t gone yet, we will just stay.”
I put my stuff down and told her “OK we will use this side of the table” I don’t know why I said that, honestly I was not at my best. I knew I would not be sitting there.
I had on this bright shirt and I wanted to take it off immediately so that I would not be recognized by them. Once they said they had saved the table and the belly man stood up, I had no intention of sitting near them, can you imagine how unpleasant that would be?
The woman with the big burly belly man (it was in my face! the entire time!) began accusing me of being a terrible mom because I questioned their logic one time.
My 13 year old by that point had walked away, there is only so much he can tolerate of me anyway. I remained calm the entire time, like I said, I knew I would not sit there. It was still break and I was done with the interaction so I walked away with the 10 year old.
The idea of them complaining about me amused me as I sorted the swim tests with the kiddos and found an amazing spot in the SHADE far away from the people.
Having said that, we got settled, kids went about swimming, 7 minutes after break ended, whistles blew indicating the pools needed to be emptied. Rumors flew, but the pool literally closed for weeks after that. We received free passes for our admission, since we had literally just entered.
I hope they were able to eat their lunch in the shade.