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Richard

A

scream from the house startled me as Katy rushed out the back door. There was no thought, no pain, and no effort in my movements. I was on my feet and headed to the water. In seconds, I was in the pool, grabbing Heather and lifting her to the side. Katy knelt at the edge, taking her from me.

I pulled myself from the water, dripping, panicked, and terrified.

Katy lifted Heather over her knee, patting her back.

“We need an ambulance. Where’s my phone?” I managed to get out. “Where is my fucking phone?” I yelled.

Gracie gasped from beside me. “Daddy, bad word!”

I spied my phone behind Katy and reached for it as Heather began to cough and sputter, spewing water onto the pool decking. Then she started to wail loudly.

It was the sweetest noise I had ever heard.

“Oh fuck,” I muttered. “Thank fuck. I’ll call Mrs. Thomas, and we’ll take her to the doctor.”

“She’s fine. She swallowed some water.” Katy lifted Heather to her shoulder, soothing her. Katy’s eyes were huge in her face. “R