If she goes swimming, she won’t have to wear the stupid training pants, at least.
“The pool,” Leah says. Tina claps happily.
“Great! And it’s just a block away, so we don’t have to take the car. We can walk.”
After gathering the items needed for a day at the pool, Leah and Tina set off. Leah’s already in her swimsuit. She claimed she was excited to go swimming, but in reality, she was just eager to take off the training pants. Her swimsuit is a one piece with a ruffle around the waist resembling a short skirt, and is sparkly and pink, like much of her new wardrobe. They arrive at the pool.
“All right, one adult, one under five,” says the bored-looking employee manning the desk. Leah waits for Tina to correct the employee, but to her surprise, Tina says nothing. They enter the main area.
“Tina, why didn’t you tell him I’m a teenager?” Leah hisses. Tina smiles apologetically.
“Sorry, honey. It’s just that under fives get in free,” she explains. Leah huffs, but allows Tina to put on the wristband, which is color-coded to indicate that she is under five. “Forget about that for now, okay? Let’s go swim!” Tina grabs Leah’s hand and drags her towards the pool, only for a lifeguard to stop them.
“Excuse me, ma’am, but children under five are required to wear a life vest and swim diaper,” the lifeguard says.
“She’s potty trained and has been taking swimming lessons since before she could walk,” Tina says indignantly.
“Those are the rules, ma’am. I don’t make them. I just enforce them. You can get complimentary swim diapers and life vests at the front desk.” The lifeguard walks away. Tina turns to Leah.
“I guess I should have corrected the person at the front desk, huh?” she says.
“Well, you can always go do that right now,” Leah points out.
“Or you could tough it out with a swim diaper and life vest,” Tina says. “You’re small enough size-wise that a vest would be good, and you already wear training pants, so a swim diaper won’t be too much of a downgrade.”
Leah considers.