What Emma Left Behind

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  "All right girls, you can get out of the car now." Mrs. Robinson, Ana's mother, had decided to take the girls to the public swimming pool that Sunday afternoon, and she handed Ana a giant rainbow-colored beach towel before saying good-bye.

  "Okay, 'bye mom." Ana tucked the towel under her arm and shut the door.

  "Movit, Claudia!" Caera pushed her sister, anxious to be the first inside.

  "Well excuse me, Caera!" Claudia groused. "Do you expect me to go through the car door? I have to open it first, you know."

  "Peace! Let's just hurry before the pool's full!" Ana ran ahead, motioning with her hands for them to follow. Caera shoved past Claudia, but Claudia slowed down.

  "Now will you use cash or swim tags?" Up front, Ana and Caera were paying the cashier. Claudia sat down on the gravel sidewalk, her feet resting on the street.

  "...and where's the third member of your party?" The cashier woman was apparently annoyed at being delayed, not that there was anyone else in line behind them, of course.

  "Claudia, come on!" Caera yelled to her before handing Ana her admission ticket. She glanced over her shoulder to see Claudia slowly making her way toward them, and she quickly darted over to Claudia and grabbed her arm, dragging her inside. Ana had already found a locker, and by the time Caera and Claudia sat down, she was peeling off her shorts.

  "Boy, is it hot outside today," Ana began as the twins got undressed. "I can't wait to cool off." Caera agreed and eagerly pulled off her shorts and T-shirt. Underneath it she wore a plain black bathing suit, a real swimmer's suit. Caera was a great swimmer. All three girls put their clothes, shoes, and towels in their lockers and walked over to the pool.

  "Last one in is a rotten egg!" Ana squealed with delight as she jumped in with an enormous splash.

  "That's not fair, Ana! You got a head start!" Caera jumped in only a few seconds behind Ana. Claudia had barely moved when Ana and Caera had raced for the pool. When she didn't jump in, Caera and Ana exchanged glances. What was wrong with her?