177. Saturday

The pool water split and splashed when Charlos slid into it. The sun is getting hot. Mrs. Nani kept a bowl of fruit salad, stir-fried shrimp and seasoned broccoli, and plain toast without any additions on the table by the pool.

Charlos still swim back and forth with freestyle. Flashes of memories flashed through his head. He remembered when Nicholas kissed Rissa on the beach. Then Rissa's face when defending her step-brother.

"I'm sorry, Charlos," said Rissa with a face that seemed to admit what she had done.

The words hit his chest right in the middle.

But then his little heart protested and accused him loudly. What he had done with Gladys was a hundred times worse than what Rissa had done with Nicholas.

Charlos didn't really know what Rissa had done with Nicholas, which involved kissing and touching. Or maybe they had sex; Charlos didn't know.