Page 75 of Broken Grump

He removes the flotation device and monitors her as she waddles her arms and legs around.

“Perfect. That’s exactly right. Well done.”

They giggle together.

“Now, I want you to remember how to do this if you ever find yourself in the water, okay? This is what will keep you afloat for long periods of time.”

I appreciate how he’s chosen to word all of that instead of straight-up scarring her with threats of drowning.

Also, if there were hot-ass instructors like him at the Y when I was growing up, I think I would’ve been more inclined to take and participate in lessons.

Miraculously, within forty-five minutes or so, he’s given Luna enough confidence to paddle around by herself. Yes, she has floaties attached to her arms, but still. It’s a far cry from where she was at before coming here this morning.

“That’s amazing, Hayden,” I comment after he comes swimming over to me. “Thank you so much. I’m not sure how I’ll ever beable to repay you.” I know it’s a giant step for her confidence, but also for my peace of mind knowing she has at least the basic skills in the water.

“It’s not about payback, Adds. Like I said, I just want to be here for you and Luna. Even if today that means teaching her how to swim, then so be it.”

“Well, thank you.” I’m trying very hard to picture him wearing a shirt because that helps me think clearly.

“Happy to do it.”

I lean against the edge of the pool and kick my legs around while he leans his arm extremely close to my thigh. For a bit, we just watch as Luna trudges along.

“You’re doing amazing, Loones! I’m so proud of you!”

She beams and waves.

Hayden, on the other hand, sighs and then looks up at me with the crook between his eyebrows all wrinkled.

Shrinking my shoulders forward, I ask, “What?”

“You stole my question.”

“Oh.” My eyes glance down at my fingers, which are fiddling in my lap.

“So? Let’s have it, then?”

“It’s—it’s nothing.”

“Ehhh!” He imitates a buzzer. “Wrong answer. Try again. I know you better than that, Addie.”

“My mother came over this morning, okay?”

He winces. “Oh, yikes. How’d that go?”

“About as terrible as you’d expect. But!” I point my finger up in the air. “She did teach Luna a new word: whore.” I cup my mouth and whisper that last part.

His eyes go wide. “You’re kidding.”

I shake my head. “If only I were. And of course, she was calling me that, so that’s just wonderful.”

He places his wet hand on my knee. “I’m really sorry. Truly, I am. I know what having a difficult parent is like.”

Don’t I know it.That’s something we seemed to always be able to bond over.

“I mean, she’s never hit me. But I think she was still, in a lot of ways, just as abusive as your father could be.”

He removes his hand, backs away from me a bit, and all-around stiffens.

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