Part 7: Chapter 2

Pool, Waterfalls, and Stuffed Peppers

Photo by Nicole King on Unsplash

Tuesday, July 14, 2020
	Text Beatrice today asking if we might come to swim. She has graciously invited us every summer for the last several years and we’ve been blessed by it. They have a pool in the shape of a lima bean. They have a raised spa where Opal and Theo like to jump. There are umbrellas and loungers and a small bathroom right inside their back door that they let us use. Beatrice usually comes out with a tray of watermelon and juice boxes and adult beverages. And their pool house usually has a variety of inflatables. Last year, it was an inflatable llama.
	“Not at this time,” Beatrice texts back. 
	Had not expected a no, and blink at my phone for a few seconds. It’s certainly her prerogative to say yes or no, but had not expected no explanation. Have I offended Beatrice by attending church? Have I become unclean by being around crowds of people? Is this because we’ve been in Paul’s company or because Shannon has lured Levi out of the house to do exercises together on our front lawn?
	“Maybe another day?” I ask.
	“Let’s wait until the COVID numbers stop climbing.”
	Oh. So that’s it. Still, I’m not satisfied. 
	“We don’t expect to be served,” I type on my phone, then delete it. “We won’t need to use your restroom.” I delete that too. Am I saying that my children will pee in her pool? And what if it’s poop? Someone inevitably will have to go poop. It’s a fact.