He gestures toward the pool. "I heard about what you're doing. Teaching kids who can't afford private coaches." A pause. I've been accepted to state on a partial swimming scholarship. I still need to work on my form if I want to keep it.
Understanding dawn. You want me to train you? I know how it sounds, he says quickly. After everything, but yes. What you did at Riverdale, that turn technique.
Nobody's seen anything like it. Desiree studies him, remembering his whispered finally when Coach Phillips cut her. The snickering in physics class, the way he never stood up against any of it. Come back Saturday, she says finally. 6 A.m.
If you're serious, you'll be on time. Thank you, he says, relief evident. I'll pay whatever your rate is. You don't pay with money, Elton interrupts, having moved closer during their conversation. You pay by coaching two of our beginning students for every hour Desiree works with you.
Blake looks around at the diverse group of children, some as young as seven, all from neighborhoods like Desire's rather than his gated community. I've never coached kids before. Then you'll learn, Elton says simply. That's how it works here. Nobody just takes.
Everybody gives back. After Blake leaves, Taylor approaches, her expression skeptical. You're really going to train him after everything? Desiree watches the children practicing their movements already showing the influence of her grandfather's techniques. Change has to start somewhere.
Might as well be in the water. The following Tuesday, Desiree stands at the edge of the newly renovated West Lake pool. The blind tryyout system is in place. Swimmers in identical black suits, hair covered, performing for a panel of judges who can see only technique, not identity. Dr.
Nelson and the board sit above in the observation deck, clipboards in hand. Dr. Winters stands beside Desiree, their reflections wavering in the water's surface. "You ready for this?" "I've been ready my whole life," Desiree answers. The first prospective team member steps onto the starting block.
A girl whose dark skin gleams under the fluorescent lights. "Another follows, then another. Desiree recognizes them from her community classes. Kids who never would have dared try out under the old system. Behind the observation glass, Dr.