This story is a work of fiction.
Names, characters, places,
and incidents are a product
of the author's (Rhonnie Jones)
creative imagination and are
used fictitiously.

Any resemblance to actual
events or localities or persons
living or dead, is entirely
and truly coincidental.

This story is an original
aspiration of, Q.J.J & R.J.
fiction stories for teens,
intermediate, and young children.

All rights reserved, including the right
to reproduce this story or portions
hereof in any form whatsoever.

PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

PROLOGUE.

PEACH OF THE BEACH.
R. Jones.

Suddenly there came a scream.
A loud and frightening sounding scream.

It came from the patio deck.
Polly and I raced out to see what
the screaming was all about.

It was Tiger Lily... Polly's gramma.
She was screaming for help.

"God! Help!" she cried. "Somebody! Please!
Help! Save this poor child!"

That's when Polly and I saw Mom.
She was in the swimming pool. She was desperately
splashing for her life.

Mom couldn't swim. I knew that. I couldn't swim.
I knew that...but seeing Mom struggling helplessly
for her life...panic bumped my head. I blacked out.

I squeezed my eyes tight shut. Then...I jumped.
I just leaped in. I sunk like a rock...
but I wasn't going to stay sunk.
I had to save Mom.

While I was down there under water
I saw her looking at me.
Bubbles were gurgling from her mouth and her nose.
Mom was drowning too.

I heard the bubbles coming out of my mouth scream.
I felt completely helpless. I felt like I had failed Mom.
I tried to reach out and cling to her...but I couldn't.
She was too far away...and sinking to far down.

But but but...but suddenly...

Her arms suddenly stopped swinging wildly.
They began to wave and glide gracefully...
her feet began to paddle like those of a duck...
propelling her toward me.

Mom grabbed me. She tried to push me up to the surface.
When she did...I went up...she went down.
I didn't want to go up. I wanted to go back down there
where Mom was...and...I did...somehow.....................