Try It Once

The Pool

Nancy and Jack slid into the booth. They made a cute older couple. Inara liked spending time with Jack. He was humble and laid back. He also cared very deeply for Nancy. They were #relationshipgoals all day long. "So did you figure it out? The waitress disappeared."

"Probably not." Inara smiled and shrugged. "I'm starved. When our real waitress gets back, order me a black bean burger. It's my turn for the ladies room."

Nancy nodded. "You just drinking water or do you want something off tap?"

"Water is fine." Inara smiled at the couple who had intertwined their hands. She knew they would be in their own little world for at least the first twenty minutes of their dinner.

Bar Louis' is attached to a national chain of hotels. The restroom happens to be near the lobby of the hotel. It is also near the pool so the distinct chlorine smell smacked her as she got closer. She couldn't help, but cough. When she opened her eyes, a familiar waitress was standing near the door to the pool. She smiled at Inara and gave a slight nod towards the pool. She then walked past Inara back into the bar. Inara coughed a few more times. She really didn't want to go in there. I mean what difference does it make if she makes it into the stupid club when none of her friends are in it either. She only did it because they begged her. She had an itching feeling like she should just go to the restroom.

Curiosity is a funny thing. There is always a voice, no matter how small, wondering what would happen if you just said Fuck It. She grabbed her gloves from her purse and put it to her nose. She hesitated at the door before pushing it open.

The warmth of the air in the indoor pool hit her immediately. Splashing at the far end of the pool stole her attention. Two young girls were laughing and running up and down the stairs at the shallow end. A middle-aged woman was sitting on the edge of the pool with her legs in the pool; she smiled while watching them intently. Nothing else in the room stuck out as noticeable right away. Inara was about to just turn around when her eye caught a sign next to the other exit door. The words 13 Scary Pool Statistics stood out in bright ruby red against a white background. The statistics were in a smaller black text. She walked over.

1) 17% of people pee in the pool

2) 35% of people jump in the pool without showering

3) Drownings are the leading cause of injury death for children ages 1 to 4, according to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

4) The Annual Average number of drowning deaths in children ages 0-14 from 2007-2009 is 390

5) 75% of Deaths are children under the age of 5

6) 67% of Deaths are children ages 1-3

7) 70% of victims were out of sight for less than 5 minutes

8) 57.2% of pool diving accidents occur in water 4 ft deep or less

9) Less than 10% of diving accidents occur with the diving board; most was misjudging a jump from the side and from running/tripping.

10) 71% of the drownings occur during May through August

11) The risk of drowning is reduced by 88% if you take swimming lessons

12) From 1999 to 2008, the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 83 incidents of suction entrapment leading to injury or death.

13) 75% of people lose interest after the first 5 statistics are left handed

Inara smiled at the last one. She took a picture with her cell phone in case she needed to rethink her options, but keeping it simple seems to be working for her so far.

The fresh air was both refreshing and painful to her lungs. The cold air forced her to take a shallow breath instead of a deep inhale. She turned left out the door into the parking lot to see a skinny scraggly man smoking while sitting on a bench. She checked her phone again in case she missed something. Frowning, she decided to sit on the bench and think about it, but she hesitated. What if he wanted to snatch her? She looked him over. He was wearing a loose fitting low riding pants and a long white graphic shirt that had a peace sign on it. He smiled at her but didn't say anything. Deciding he was probably not a threat, she took the seat next to him. He coughed at the cold air and tossed out the butt of his cigarette.

"Shit's gonna kill me." He said.

"You probably should quit," Inara responded.

"Suppose so. You looking for a date tonight?" He asked.

"No, just getting some fresh air." She smiled friendly but ensured to avoid eye contact in case he thought she was trying to flirt.

Well, can't blame a brother for asking. Have a good one." He smiled at her and went back inside.

A white matchbook was found on the bench where he was sitting. She grabbed it thinking she was going to throw it away when she noticed the logo had a man counting beans, thirteen beans. She opened the matchbook. Inside a handwritten message was scribbled. Tomorrow 6pm

Her phone jolted her from her thoughts.

"Where are you?" Nancy's voice sounded like she was unsuccessfully trying to hide her concern.

"I'm fine. I just went outside to give you guys some private time. Food ready?"

"Oh good. Ya. It's here. Hope you are hungry. I ordered some loaded taters too."

"Starved. Be in soon." Inara pocketed the matches and went inside to spend some time with her two best friends. Tomorrow she can decide if she wants to take this puzzle thing any further.