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 ”This is going to be the best summer vacation ever!” Megan exclaimed to her best friend Paige. “I’m going to read books, watch TV, sleep late…”

 ”Lucky you,” Paige replied. “I’m going to be teaching swimming lessons at the pool every day.”

“Hey, I could visit you there. My niece and nephew are taking swimming lessons. My sister is pregnant again, so I’m sure she would welcome some time off. I’ll volunteer to drive her kids to the pool.” Megan said. “Oh, there’s my mom! See ya!”

As Megan’s mom drove home, she told Megan “Cyndi needs a babysitter really badly. She’s been having some problems with the pregnancy, and her doctor has ordered complete bed rest for at least six weeks. She asked if you could stay with her. I told her I would take you home to pick up some stuff and then drive you there. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Mind! Mom!” Megan exclaimed. “I just wanted to kick back and read some books – you know, take a vacation?!?”

“I’m sorry, really Megan. But your sister needs help.”

*****

Megan’s six year old nephew Matt and four year old niece Jenny were so excited to see her; they grabbed her arms and practically dragged her inside.

“Auntie Megan! We’ve got a new pool!” Matt exclaimed. “We’re not allowed in it without a grown up, so now that you are here we can go in.”

 ”We’ve got new kittens, too!” Jenny announced. “Four of them. I watched them getting borned. Did you know that they come out all wet and gookey, and then the Mommy cat licks them clean?”

“It was totally gross!” Matt added. “But they’re really cute now. Do you wanna see them?”

“Sure,” Megan answered, hoping that her voice displayed more enthusiasm than she felt.

It took Megan a couple of days to get into the routines of housework and taking care of two very energetic children. Taking the kids to their swimming lessons every morning was fun, although she didn’t get to talk to Paige much in between lessons.

Wednesday morning of Megan’s second week at Cyndi’s house started off just like the other days. Megan got the kids their breakfast and took a tray to Cyndi. “I appreciate this so much, Megan! I felt so guilty for you missing out on your vacation,” Cyndi said.

“It’s OK,” Megan said. “Jenny and Matt are great kids, and I am actually having more fun than I thought I would.”

*****

Later that day, Jenny was playing with the kittens in the backyard; Matt was in the pool practicing his cannon ball dives, while Megan was sitting by the pool reading.

“You keep splashing me!” Megan complained. She moved her chair far enough away that her book wouldn’t get wet. Suddenly she heard Jenny screaming as Matt dove into the deep end of the pool.

Megan was diving into the pool before her book hit the ground. She scooped Matt up and swam with him to the ladder. Only then did she notice the tiny ball of fluff in his hand.

Cyndi had heard the commotion and raced to the pool. She knelt as far as she could with her swollen belly and pulled Matt out of the pool. “Are you all right?” she asked.

 ”I’m OK,” he answered, sputtering out the water in his mouth.

“I’m so sorry, Cyndi! I shouldn’t have been reading while Matt was in the pool!” Megan started to cry.

Cyndi put her arm around Megan. “I forgive you, sis. Matt should have known better. Why did you jump into the deep end?” Cyndi asked Matt, the relief in her voice turning now to scolding. “You know that you can’t go…”

“…into the deep end – I know!” Matt interrupted. “But Jenny threw a kitten into the pool and I had to get it.” He held up the fur ball in his hand. “Do you think it’s still alive?”

Megan took the kitten from Matt. It wasn’t moving. “I’m so sorry, Matt” she murmured, stroking its little belly. “I don’t think…” Just then, the kitten sputtered, sneezed, and opened its eyes.

“It is alive!” Matt shouted.

“Jenny, why would you throw a kitten into the pool?” Cyndi scolded.

“I was pretending to be Paige. I wanted to teach it to swim. Can I take her along to swimming lessons tomorrow, Auntie Megan?”

Cyndi looked at Megan, and they both laughed. At least this summer vacation wasn’t going to be boring!