Fat Floaties & Frowning Faces

“Now, don’t forget,” Miss Christy announced to the Kids’ Club class, “Saturday is our big pool party! Be here on time.”

“That swim party’s going to be so great!” said Justin.

“I know!” squealed Jessie, Justin’s best friend. “I can’t wait.”

The kids got into the car, and Justin’s mom drove them home, listening to their happy chatter. When they pulled into the driveway, Jessie jumped out. “I’ve got to go find my swimsuit. See ya later!” she shouted as she rushed to her house next door.

“Wow,” said Justin’s mom, “sounds like you guys are going to have a blast.”

“Oh yeah! I’m sure looking forward to it. I better find my pool noodles to bring!”

“Just make sure you use them for swimming and not whacking other kids,” Mom warned.

“Okay, Mom, if you say so,” said Justin, as he ran to the garage to hunt for the noodles.

When Saturday morning came, Justin sat down for breakfast. “Finally!” he said.

“What do you mean?” asked Dad. “What’s ‘finally’?”

Justin swallowed his cereal then answered, “It’s finally Saturday, so we can finally go to our swim party.”

“Shwim, shwim, shwim,” sang Ellie, Justin’s little sister. “Can I go shwimming too, Jussin?”

“No, Ellie, it’s just for us big kids.”

Ellie stuck out her lower lip. “But I wanna shwim,” she whined.

“Now, Ellie,” said Mom, “it’s Justin’s turn this time. Maybe Daddy can take you another time.”

Ellie looked at her daddy with big, sad eyes. “Will you, Daddy? Pweeease?”

Dad chuckled. “How can I say no to that adorable face? Yes, we can go another day.”

“Yay! I can go anodder day.” Ellie happily crammed a piece of toast into her mouth, which made her look like a chipmunk. Justin laughed as he got up and gathered his things.

Soon Justin and his dad were in the car waiting for Jessie. When she finally came out of her house, they couldn’t help smiling. Jessie was wearing all of her floaties—on her arms, her ankles, and even a big one around her middle. She wore sunglasses and carried a tote bag on each arm overflowing with towels and sunscreen. “I’m ready!” she chirped.

Justin’s dad opened the car door for her, but Jessie had a little trouble getting in. “Oh no!” she exclaimed. “All my floaties are too fat.” She twisted and turned and squeezed and squished, but the floaties wouldn’t budge; they just made funny squeaky noises.

“Let me help you, Jessie,” said Justin’s dad. He took the tote bags and put them into the trunk then gave Jessie a push to help her through the car door. “Almost there,” he said giving one final nudge. Suddenly they heard a strange noise—sssSSSSSS!

“What’s that?” Jessie asked in a panic. Then she saw what it was; her middle floatie was losing its air! “Oh no, my floatie!” Jessie hollered. She watched as the floatie went limp and sagged around her waist—SSSSSSssss.

“Sorry about that Jessie,” Justin’s dad apologized. “I’ll help you fix it when we get to the church.”

“At least you can fit in the car now that the fat floatie is skinny,” said Justin, giggling. Jessie sighed as she buckled up.

The church parking lot was busy with kids and parents bustling around, grabbing their towels and blowing up floaties and beach balls. Everyone laughed and chatted cheerily until—the announcement.

“Uh, everyone? May I have your attention, please?” Miss Christy stood on the church steps as she spoke. “I’m sorry to say it, but our pool party is canceled.”

“What?” “Huh?” “Noooo!” The kids—and their parents—all spoke at once.

Miss Christy sighed then explained, “I just talked to the man at the pool. He decided to let his son use the pool instead of us.”

“What? That’s not fair!” everyone shouted.

“No,” Miss Christy answered sadly. “It isn’t fair, but he believes his son should get first pick.”

“How come?” “Why should he?”

“It doesn’t seem right, but of course, the man’s son is more special to him than we are, so he gets to have a pool party with his ball team.”

One by one, the kids’ happy looks turned to frowning faces. The parents milled around, trying to figure out what to do. Then, Justin’s dad took out his phone and made a call, walking away as he talked. Justin and Jessie stared at each other, wondering who he could possibly be talking to at a time like this.

Soon, Justin’s dad came back, grinning. He spoke with Miss Christy, who began smiling, too. “Kids!” she said excitedly. “Someone in our church has a brand-new swimming pool and slide at his house, and we’re invited to use it for our party!”

The group cheered then rushed around, snatching up their things and climbing into their cars. On the way, Justin asked his dad who he had called on the phone.

“I called Dr. Krell from church. He said just the other day that he hoped he could bless others in the church with his new pool. I told him what happened, and he didn’t think it was right that you kids couldn’t have a pool party.”

“Wow! You really saved the day, Dad, thanks!” Justin exclaimed.

“Yeah, thanks!” Jessie shouted from the back seat.

“Don’t thank me; thank Dr. Krell. He’s the one sharing his pool with us.”

“Oh, we will,” said Justin and Jessie together.

“I’ll even share one of my fat floaties with him!” Jessie announced, and everyone laughed.

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