I didn't want to have to squint to watch this race, so I wished myself down onto the pool deck. At the same time, the girls, now wearing plain one-piece swimsuits, jumped into the pool and started their race. Amanda had a slight lead when she touched the opposite end, and she was well ahead when they got back to where they started. She stopped and waited for Samantha.
Samantha also stopped. "How did you trick me into that? I've heard all about your swim team exploits. You must have stayed in shape since then." She started to pull herself out of the pool.
While Samantha was busy with that, Amanda gave me a mischievous wink. "I know just what can help. Joey enchanted a bikini so that its wearer can swim faster." That was technically true, I supposed. Amanda must not have reached that part of the story when she told Samantha about our earlier adventures.
"It's in the changing room, if you want to try it," I offered. A little uncertainly, Samantha went through the door to the ladies' locker room.
Amanda did a couple more laps to pass the time. Finally, Samantha came out wearing Amanda's bikini. Their bodies were similar enough that it fit well. She seemed a little less shy than Amanda had been wearing so little, and even joked, "Gee, Amanda, I've known your boyfriend for less than ten minutes now and you've already got me parading around in this for him."
"Let's just say I trust him," Amanda replied. "Come on, let's race!" She touched the starting wall, then swam off without even waiting for Samantha.
"Hey, that's cheating!" Samantha dived in, and a few seconds later she surfaced well ahead of Amanda. "Wow, you weren't kidding. I-" At this point, she must have realized she was having trouble scissoring her legs to tread water. "What did you-" She curled her new fishtail to bring it out of the water. Hesitantly, she touched her scales, then brought her arm and tail back into the water to support herself before she sank. "I'm a..."
"The bikini turns you into a mermaid! Isn't it great?" Cheered Amanda.