Swimming “man”

[gogbuehi]

The family in the hot tub was quietly enjoying the summer evening. “Stay on this side of the pool, Anton,” the father called out as his young son approached the pool’s edge. The boy stepped shyly into the pool, evaluating the verbal boundaries he faced. “And stay out of that man’s way, you hear?” My heart gave an awkward beat.

I was the “man” whose way ought be avoided. I took a moment to also evaluate the boundary. The line between youth and adult was clear.