This Time, No One's Taking My Brother

Before the lifeguard, Samson Jones, could say anything, Grandma immediately snapped at me.

"Sophie White! Have you lost your mind? He's just trying to help, and you're making trouble!

"Where else is Theo supposed to go? We're not out in the country anymore. He can’t just relieve himself wherever he wants!"

I clung tightly to Theo's hand, refusing to let go.

In my previous life, it was this lifeguard who had taken Theo into the men's restroom.

After that, I never saw him again.

"He can't go with you!"

My voice trembled, but I refused to back down.

Samson smiled and explained patiently, "Sweetie, your brother is a boy, so he needs to use the men's restroom."

Even Theo started squirming. He twisted around, trying to pull himself toward Samson.

"Sophie, I need to pee!"

I panicked and blurted, "You can't! There are bad people in the men's restroom. They'll take you away!"

A hint of displeasure crossed Samson's face.

Grandma immediately noticed it and hurriedly apologized. "I'm so sorry. The girl grew up out in the country, so she doesn't know any better.

"She scares easily and likes to talk nonsense. Please don't take it personally."

As she spoke, she tried to pry my fingers away.

Theo had grown up with our parents, so he and I had never been particularly close.

But when I remembered how I had died alone after my parents abandoned me in my previous life, I couldn't let go.

I grabbed onto Theo's shirt with my other hand, nearly screaming through my tears, "He can't go! There are bad people in there!"

"Let go of him!" Grandma shouted.

Theo was becoming desperate to relieve himself. He started crying as well. "I have to pee! Let me go!"

The whole scene descended into chaos. Cries and shouts filled the air.

When Grandma realized that she couldn't pry my hands loose, she lost her temper and slapped me.

My cheek burned, and tears immediately spilled from my eyes, but I gritted my teeth and pulled Theo even closer.

"What's wrong with you? Let go!"

Our commotion had drawn a crowd. Grandma, clearly embarrassed, finally let go of me. She planted her hands on her hips and shouted, "Have you gone completely crazy? Then tell me. Where is Theo supposed to go? We can't take him to the women's restroom!"

The moment she said that, several parents nearby looked at me strangely.

"Wouldn't that be perverted? A boy that old going into the women's restroom?"

"Yeah. That's gross."

Samson quickly stepped in and said, "That's not allowed. We have a policy here. Boys aren't permitted in the women's restroom."

Grandma immediately turned on me. "Hear that? Theo is a boy, so he can't go into the women's restroom.

"You can’t make him hold it in forever! So, what are we supposed to do, huh? Tell me!"