Page 53 of Ideal Life

“Your mother is right, sweetheart.”

“We are so proud of you, and we just met you!”

“Are you single?” the oldest woman asked. “My grandson is a very nice boy, and—”

“Okay, ladies,” Didi said from the pool deck. “I know we all love to chitchat, but we’re here to do some aquarobics, right?”

Talia had never been more grateful for a phys ed instructor in her life.

“Let’s begin with some gentle water stretches to wake up our muscles.”

The group fell into what must have been their standard formation, with three women in each row. Talia and Vera were in the back.

“Arms up, ladies. Let’s salute the sun.”

There was a lot of splashing as everyone raised their arms. Didi turned on a portable speaker, and slow instrumental music began to play. The women all swayed from left to right, not in unison, but they tried. Talia had been worried about keeping up because she’d never done a pool calisthenics class before, but it was apparent now that wouldn’t be a problem.

“So, what did you want to talk about?” Vera asked, as Didi led them through some arm rotations.

“Er…” Talia didn’t want to shout, so she lowered her arms into the water and inched closer to her mom.

“Talia, keep those arms up,” Didi said. “You’re not going to quit on us so early, are you?”

The women in the two rows in front turned to look at Talia.

“You can do it, dear.”

“If you get tired, just think about something else to distract your mind.”

“Embrace the burn,” the oldest of the women growled with an intensity that made Talia yank her arms up from the water and straight out to her sides again.

“Wow, zealous crowd,” Talia said under her breath.

Vera snorted. “You have no idea.”

After the warm-up, Didi told them to march in place. “Lift your knees up if you can!” The water in the pool sloshed against the sides.

Talia took the opportunity to march over to Vera, keeping her knees high so Didi couldn’t find any fault to call her out again.

“Something happened yesterday,” Talia said.

Vera arched a brow. “Something good or something bad?”

Talia rubbed her face with her hands, forgetting that they were wet. She flinched as chlorine got in her eyes.

“Something bad… I kissed Sam.”

“Hallelujah!” Vera yelled, practically leaping out of the water.

All of the women turned again to look at them.

“Focus, ladies,” Didi said. She gave Talia the side-eye, no longer as welcoming about the miscreant addition to her class.

Sorry, sorry, Talia mouthed.

Vera continued marching in place but couldn’t wipe the grin off her face. “It’s finally happening! I always knew you two were perfect for each other. Tell me everything—where did it happen, how did it happen, and when am I getting beautiful grandbabies?”

“Ugh, Mom, no grandbabies because it was a mistake and I undid it all.”