Chances and Changes: My Journey with Molly

I can tell Molly is nervous, so I tell her that we don’t need to start today. There’s not a rush. Molly grimaces and says they’re actually is a rush. Miss Butternut said even Pollywogs can swim in the meet but Molly has another reason why she wants to get over her fear. And she only has two weeks at camp to do it. I asked her why.

Molly says that when she gets home from camp, her dad wants to take her on a fishing trip together. It’s a tradition that he and his dad had to mark the end of the summer, and now Dad wants to start the tradition with her. Part of that tradition is that whoever catches the first fish celebrates by jumping out of the boat into the lake. I understand Molly’s dilemma. I ask if her dad knows that she’s scared to jump in and swim underwater. Molly nods and I think of her dad’s comment to look out for one another, especially in the water.

Molly says she doesn’t want to be a baby about it. And she’d love to surprise him by showing him that she’s gotten over her fear. The soldiers are fighting in the war and they have to be brave. Molly has to be brave, too. Especially for Dad. He was away at war for three years. Molly wants him to be proud of her.

I reassure her and tell her that I can tell that her dad is proud of her. And I know how it feels to be afraid of disappointing the people that you love. I tell Molly all about my decision about going to music camp, and if I go how I’ll disappoint Bea. But if I don’t go, I’ll disappoint my grandmother. I tell Molly that I don’t like making choices unless I have to. Molly says that we must both be sunk.

“No,” I say. Molly is not sunk. I am going to teach her how to swim underwater. Molly firmly says that she is also going to help me make decisions. Molly jokes around and tells me my first task is to be honest, and she asks me what is on my mind. I laugh and say that swimming is on my mind. We should get started. And then it hits me. I’ve never taught anyone how to swim before. I’m not sure if I’ve ever taught anybody how to do anything before.

I think fast. I didn’t learn to play the flute all at once. I took it one step at a time. So that’s what I should do with Molly. I tell Molly to get her hands wet and then pat her face all over. Molly says that should be easy and she pats her face. Now, step two is to bend your knees so the water touches the bottom of your chin. Molly bobs up and down. She has a beard of water dripping off her chin. And I’m just about to give Molly step three when Miss Archer blows her whistle. It’s Early Out.

Linda and Bobbie swim over and tell us that they’re going to do Early Out and go back to the cabin to get ready for inspection and flag lowering. Molly says that she wants to wait with me a little bit. I’m going to teach her how to swim underwater and we’ve only just begun. Linda offers for her and Bobbie to stay and help, but Molly says no thanks. She doesn’t want an audience. Linda is surprised that Molly is pushing her away, but she lifts herself out of the water onto the dock and leaves with Bobbie.

I make up more steps for Molly to do, and soon, we’re laughing and having so much fun that we’re surprised when Miss Archer blows the whistle and shouts that it’s time for everyone to get out. We’re last in line to turn our Buddy Board tags, and by the time we get back to the tent, everyone is already dressed.

Linda tells us to hurry up, because the counselors won’t like it if we’re late for inspection. Molly again tells Linda to go ahead, and she folds her arms and says no. We should hurry. Should I listen to Linda and hurry? Or should I follow Molly’s lead and take my time? My indecision must be written all over my face because Molly tells me that this is my first lesson. Say the first thing that comes to my mind.