Olympic Dreams
 

Lap swimming started at noon everyday all Summer at the outdoor pool in the small New England town, ending a morning that included six hours of swim team practices. The pool was older, built in the 1950’s or 60’s, but it had been well maintained and updated several times over the years. Still, it showed its age. Impressive, however, for such a small community. It was a full size Olympic pool when it was built, 50 yards in length, double the size of the indoor pool down the street. It also had a deep dive section that created an L shape, with an impressive three levels of dive platforms. The city recreation had made a serious commitment to swimming, and it paid off with one Olympian who took several gold medals and a couple other swimmers who got darn close to being Olympians. The pool served double duty as the town’s recreation pool and the Summer base for a very strong club program that was the producer of the amazing swim talent. From 6AM to noon, the pool filled with Speedo clad swimmers from all over the east coast, both genders. During the practices, a cadre of early teen girls would eventually line the grassy knoll behind the pool to watch the cute guys in their tiny swimsuits. Rain or shine, except for thunder, the swimmers were there. The pool was always open.

Jimmy grew up on a farm just outside of town. It was the summer just ahead of his 9th grade year, a big deal for a young man his age. He was a skinny kid, with little muscular development, and not very athletic. He was just starting to show an interest in girls, but not many showed an interest in him. He was one of the “poor kids,” the farm hardly made money and both Mom and Dad worked, for a dad a second job besides the farm. Something happened though, the prior Summer that really impacted Jimmy. He watched the Summer Olympics on the family’s old television and was captured by the swimming events. The guys looked amazingly strong, and the girls looked amazingly pretty. Jimmy had never really swam before, in fact he barely knew how. The thought percolated in his mind his whole eighth grade year. He never told anyone, not even his best, and really only, friend. At the local Kmart, his only hint to his mom was when he asked her to buy him a swimsuit, something he never had before. He knew his cut off jeans would not work. She bought him a pair of blue boxer short style trunks, the kind with a mesh liner inside and a drawstring. Not exactly what the real swimmers wore, but it was the best they could do.

The coach of the swim program sat at a table at the far end of the pool, eating lunch and finishing up his notes on the day. Often would meet one to one with his swimmers, and sometimes they would take one lane for some individual work. He didn’t pay much attention to the skinny young swimmer in the blue shorts who had arrived just as the open lap swimming started. Jimmy struggled swimming the length of the pool, clinging to the wall after each attempt. Fifty yards seemed like an eternity, he’d catch his breath and start again. He had no form, no skill, and no goggles. His arms fought the water, looking like he was on the brink of drowning. Despite all the reasons to just quit, Jimmy kept going, his mind focused on his desire to be a real swimmer. Oh sure, it would be easier to just sign up for lessons, but that took money, something his family didn’t really have.

The tall lean swimmer sat with the coach for a few minutes. The coach was giving him some feedback on his practice and his need to build more pull strength. Having just finished four hours of practice, he was still in the red and blue custom dyed team practice suit, a very brief cut swimsuit from Agon Swim. The suit looked so small and tight on his tall and muscular body, his long legs spread open as he sat in the chair, listening intently. Finally, he rose from the chair, grabbed his goggles and cap, and walked back toward the remaining open lane in the pool. The teen girls didn’t know what to look at first, his cute smile, his powerful and well defined upper body, his muscular legs, or the way the suit left nothing to imagine as it created a well outlined bulge in front. No matter what, they all were mesmerized by his handsome good looks. Cap on, he jumped back in the water, taking the lane right next to Jimmy.

“Let’s do some serious pulls,” the coach said as he rigged up the pull balloon and handed Greg the belt to wrap around his waist. Greg clasped the belt, made a few adjustments. “I want a solid set of five 100’s, ten second break between,” the coach said.

“You really know how to make a guy have fun, coach,” Greg said with a smile.

“All for your own good,” coach replied.

Greg pushed hard off the wall, but the balloon pulled back as it inflated with water. He felt the tug of the belt on his waistline, and he came to nearly a complete stop. He pulled hard with his arms, no kick as his legs wrapped around the pull buoy nestled almost up to his crotch. “This sucks,” Greg thought as he struggled to pull through the water. Greg was a swimmer from Connecticut, entering his senior year, and really hoping to swim in college. He spent the past two Summer breaks up in the small town known for its amazing swim program and working with the Olympic caliber coach. The impact on his swimming was obvious, just as the impact on his body was. He was a much better and stronger swimmer, but it came with work. His girlfriend, however, liked how all the extra workouts made him look in his Speedo suits, even though he never wore them at the beach. He did, however, wear them if the two of them hung out at her backyard pool.

Jimmy watched as the tall, lean swimmer next to his pushed off the wall and seemed to effortlessly pull the balloon down the pool. It just looked like hard work. It was a sight of contrast, Jimmy in his blue swim shorts fighting to make his way one length, while Greg seemed to glide down the pool and back, a serious swimmer look with his cap, shaded goggles, and the form fitting swimsuit. Greg was doing two full laps to each one of Jimmy’s lengths. Jimmy was in awe, that was exactly how he wanted to swim, and despite being outclassed by Greg, he took a great deal of motivation from watching his zoom by. Once the balloon was gone, Greg’s full form was inspiring. The strong, well timed kicks, the far reaching pulls, and the way he seemed to swim almost on his side, as if he was merely slicing the water. Oh sure, there was the fact that his body was amazing and he was built like a swimmer, which Jimmy also noted, but he was more taking in the skill. The coach paid Jimmy no attention, hardly a glance.

Coach wrapped up with Greg after about 45 minutes. Nearly five hours in the pool was good enough for now. Another workout at 6 and then Greg would call it a day and get some sleep. As the coach walked away, Greg hung out at the end of the pool, just enjoying the sunshine and the attention of the young girls. They were well under his age, but he got a kick out of the way they carried on over all the guys on the team. They reminded him of his kid sister back home. Boy crazy at that age. Greg turned and watched as Jimmy churned out another length of the pool.

“His swimming is a mess,” Greg thought to himself. “But he seems to just keep going,” Jimmy’s endurance came from all the work on the farm. Certainly not the same as swimming, but he had the ability to just plug away for hours on end. Jimmy made the wall and stood, the 4 feet of water up to the middle of his abdomen. He gulped air as much as he gulped water.

“Hi,” Greg said.

“Hi,” Jimmy replied. “You’re a really good swimmer,”

“Thanks,” Greg replied. As much as he was an amazing athlete, Greg was also a really kind hearted guy. Down to earth, no arrogance. “How long have you been coming here,” Greg asked.

“First time,” Jimmy replied.

“I’ve been watching you, you got lots of endurance,” Greg replied. “Want a few tips on the swimming?”

“That would be awesome,” Jimmy replied.

“Well, first we got to get you to keep your head down in the water. Every time you raise your head it stops all your momentum,” Greg explained. “Let me show you.” Greg showed Jimmy what he needed to do. Despite his advanced skill, he was a very patient teacher.

Jimmy absorbed very word and every demo. Certainly he was never going to get it right the first day, but Greg spent a solid half hour working with Jimmy. Once it looked like Jimmy had the right idea, Greg backed off.

“well, I’ve been in here for over five hours now,” Greg said. “Time to get out for me. You keep working on that.”

“Thanks, man,” Jimmy said. They never exchanged names. Jimmy hoped they would meet again.

Chapter 1 continued
 

Greg leaped out of the pool and stood in the warm sun, partly to watch Greg and partly to tease his cadre of groupies. He slipped his fingers into his waist and pulled the strings out and untied them, his swimmer signal that he was done. The loose strings hung down the front of his suit. He admired Jimmy’s determination, even if he was a textbook picture of bad form. But, his breathing looked way better. Greg turned and went to the locker room.

Jimmy was still swimming when Greg was all changed. He had easily been in the water almost ninety minutes and was showing no signs of stopping. Greg came out of the locker room and walked back over to Jimmy’s lane. Greg had on plaid board shorts, a tank top and sandals, much to the disappointment of the girls, who were all starting to head elsewhere. Greg bent over as Jimmy approached the wall.

“Hey, I thought you could use these,” Greg said as he handed Jimmy a pair of swim goggles. “It will be way easier on your eyes.”

Jimmy beamed a huge smile. “Thanks, you are really nice. Where should I put them after I am done.?”

“Keep them. I got plenty.” Greg replied. “See ya sometime.” Greg turned and walked away.

Jimmy slipped the goggles on and began his next length. The improvement was immediate. He could see everything. “Now, I am a real swimmer,” Jimmy thought. Jimmy had a long way to go, but on this afternoon he was on cloud nine.

the mentor
 

Interesting relationship to develop here? ("to watch Jimmy")

The raised head is a common mistake and I always think I know a good from a bad
swimmer when I enter on to the pool deck (the lanes reserved for club training night are a different matter however and the displays of good form are impressive and appear effortless).
It occurs to me that those constant head movements will induce early exhaustion as well as loss of momentum.

STS,

Once again, you've created an introduction that raises questions in my mind about how things will go in the relationship. Already, the characters of Jimmy and Greg are well developed so that we have a strong sense of what kind of people they are, Jimmy a hard worker with a dream, and Greg, a strong, popular swimmer with a big heart. I'm eager to see what happens. Thanks for starting a new story so soon after the conclusion of the last one.

D67

Part 2
 

Author's note: I meant to post this at the first chapter. This is a short story about swimming. Some of the characters are teenage. There will be no graphic content or inappropriate activity. For those of you who swim or did at one time, I hope you enjoy the swimming theme of this short story...STS
____________


Typical New England weather, the heat wave of the last week broke with a cold front that took the temps overnight to the low 50’s. The day opened grey and cloudy, quickly becoming an even more delightful grey and rainy. The high was only going to 64. As usual, the pool was open, with the swim team practice in full swing, despite the bursts of rain. No thunder, but looming grey clouds buried the sun away. The usual grouping of girls did not show, making for a more boring day for the guys on the team, who all seemed to enjoy the attention. Too bad for the young girls, today was focused on starts, so the team made a constant rotation off the blocks, swam to the mid point ladder, then climbed out and waited to start again. It would have been a good show of the boys on the team. The cold air was a big contrast from the 78 degree pool, both the guys and girls on the team wrapped their arms around themselves and shivered as they waited their turns.

Jimmy had not missed a day of swimming. Ten in a row so far, and a little rain was not going to stop him. He slipped on his blue swimsuit, tied the strings, pulled on a windbreaker jacket and headed out on is bike to the pool. His towel and goggles secure in a plastic bag on the small rack that sat over the back tire on his old, single speed Schwinn bicycle. By the time Jimmy reached the pool, the rain was coming down in buckets, which was actually a good thing. Not only did it help the farm, but it also meant most of his chores could not be done. Sort of a Summer snow day.

“Wow, I am impressed, you’re the only one here for laps,” Molly said as Jimmy walked through the gate.

“Just a little rain,” Jimmy said. “I’m gonna get wet anyway.”

“Good point,” Molly replied. She never asked Jimmy for the $2 entry fee. While it wasn’t much money, she knew that Jimmy’s family was of modest means, so she just ignored it. She told the rest of the crew to do the same. “Have a good swim,” Molly added.

The swim team was huddled under a picnic covering, still in their swimsuits, but most had towels wrapped around them. Jimmy jumped in the second lane of the now empty pool. He stood at the top end of the lane checking out the cute swimmer girls, a brief distraction from what he was there to do, but he couldn’t just ignore them. He also saw Greg standing amongst the guys. He had not seen Greg since that first day, he wondered if Greg would see him. Jimmy finally put on his goggles and started his first lap.

While Jimmy didn’t fully appreciate it, he had come a long way in his first ten days. Foremost, he no longer stopped after each length, in fact he now was swimming down and back several times before he had to stop. His breathing also looked so much better, and he was picking up speed. His form and technique still needed lots of work, but the progress was clearly evident. Hard work was paying off. Jimmy stopped for a break, looking over at the swim team again. Most of the girls had left, but a few remained along with a bunch of the guys, including Greg. Greg was busy flirting with one of the girls, having wrapped them both together in his towel. They were laughing. Jimmy smiled, with a hint of jealousy at Greg’s luck with such a cute girl. He resumed his laps.

“Hey, you are looking great,” Jimmy heard a voice as he approached he wall. He stopped and stood. Greg was standing at the edge of the pool looking at Jimmy.

“Thanks, trying,” Jimmy replied. Greg had a towel still wrapped around him, the rain had picked up some more, Greg’s wet hair dripping with the rain flowing off his head.

“Let me see,” Greg asked. He watched as Jimmy pushed off and swam. He had much improved, but was still somewhat pulling his head up. Greg watched as Jimmy swam down and then back. When Jimmy reached the wall, Greg had jumped in and was already standing in the water. Up close, Jimmy marveled at how strong and muscular Greg looked. Not in a sexual way, there were no such desires in Jimmy, except when it came to girls. Rather he was envious of Greg’s impressive display of the male body. No wonder he caught all the girls attention, thought Jimmy.

“You are doing great,” Greg said. “Hey, by the way, my name is Greg,” he extended his hand.

“Oh yeah, Jimmy.”

“So, two tips for today. First, when you breath you want to keep your head down.”

“I thought I was,” said Jimmy, somewhat deflated.

“You really are, but just as you start to breath you pull it up a bit. So, as you breath, I want you to pretend you are going to look at your chest, then as you breath act like you want to look slightly behind you,” Greg explained. He demonstrated standing up. “See what I mean?”

“I think so,” Jimmy replied. “This swimming really is hard.”

Greg laughed. “Yeah, harder than most think. Let me show you.”

Once Greg was convinced Jimmy understood, Greg went to point number two. He explained to Jimmy the need to try to keep his arm strokes closer to his body and follow all the way through. “You lose half the stroke by pulling out early like you are.” Greg explained. This took much longer to get Jimmy to understand. Greg, the patient teacher, stayed with it. He watched Jimmy swim, walking along side as Jimmy went, stopping and starting him to give him more tips. Jimmy was somewhat overwhelmed by all the things he had to think about. His frustration level was creeping up.

“I am not sure I will ever get this,” Jimmy said in exasperation.

“Hey, you are doing awesome,” Greg replied. “It just takes practice. Now, you work on that. Meanwhile I need to get out of this tight swimsuit and get something to eat.”

“Thanks, Greg,” Jimmy replied as he watched Greg effortlessly leap out of the pool, the muscles in his arms flexing with the lift. “By the way, you have a cool swimsuit,” Jimmy added.

“See ya sometime,” Greg closed out the second impromptu lesson just as he had the last time. He did not respond to Jimmy about the suit, but he did like the particular suit he was wearing, an Arena brand brief with a black background and the Arena emblem emblazoned against a contrasting swirl of orange colors that wrapped from his left side seam and faded into the black background about mid way in front. It was one of Greg’s favorite swimsuits.

Jimmy spent the next 90 minutes trying to practice everything Greg had told him. He was now the only person in the whole pool, the rest of the regulars scared away by the rain and colder temps. The sole lifeguard was under an umbrella and wrapped in a blanket. It was a guy about Greg’s age, and he seemed none to pleased that Jimmy was making him sit out in the rain. By the time Jimmy was done, he had gulped a gallon of pool water in his effort to coordinate the breathing and the improved stroke technique. The rain had picked up again, and the wind was now blowing hard enough to make small waves on the long pool. Jimmy called it a day, more frustrated than he had ever been. He hoisted himself out of the pool, wanting to be able to one day leap out like Greg does. The pouring rain felt cold and raw. He grabbed his soaked towel and wrapped it around his shoulders. It was going to be a crummy ride home.

The swim coach, Frank, was sitting working on his laptop inside the small office. He looked up and watched as the skinny teenager in blue shorts climbed out of the pool. While he hadn’t really paid much attention to Jimmy, far too busy with the swimmers he had to worry about, he was impressed that the kid actually came and swam on such an awful weather day. Frank had also watched as Greg gave Jimmy swim tips. “Well, what he lacks in skill he makes up for in determination,” Frank said aloud to nobody, as he resumed entering his coaching notes into his laptop.

Jimmy went into the small locker room, for no reason than it got him out of the rain. He stood in front of the mirror looking at himself. While he didn’t see it, the ten days of swimming was already creating definition in his underweight body. He tugged at his swim shorts, which were clinging to him. He slipped on his windbreaker and readied for his ride home. “Maybe I should just give this up,” Jimmy quietly thought to himself, still frustrated at how awful he was after Greg tried to help him. “I’m just not as good as those guys,” he deflating thoughts continued.

“Hey, Jimmy,” called Molly as he passed by the gate. Jimmy stopped and turned.

“You are really getting to be strong in the water,” she complimented him.

A huge smile beamed across Jimmy’s face. His pride swelled. All the frustration suddenly left his mind. He stood taller. “Thanks,” he replied. A spring in his step, it turned out to be not such a crummy ride home. Jimmy hardly noticed the rain.

STS,

I'm really liking this story because again, it has characters who are very good and decent people. I loved that a little comment from Molly made Jimmy's day and the little help for Greg pushed Jimmy to keep on trying. I'm still wondering how Jimmy's and Greg's relationship will develop - mentor/mentee? or big brother/little brother?

I especially liked your very clear disclaimer about age and content and that this story was going to be just about swimming.

D67

thanks
 

Hey D67,

I really appreciate your remarks. This is a different type of story for me and maybe the board. I suspect even some regular readers will not like this one, but new readers might find it a refreshing change. There is something magical about swimming that I hope to express through Jimmy's conquests. I can be fairly certain that we won't see this one mysteriously appearing on that other board....lol

STS

Wonderful
 

STS,

Loving the new style. It's really enjoyable to see how a new swimmer can admire a high school athlete and really want to learn the sport. Please continue the story.

Part 3
 

Sunday turned out to be a textbook weather day of hazy, hot and humid. The swim team only had a short practice on Sunday, timed to not interfere with early church services. They started at 10 AM, advanced team only, with some of the swimmers excused to 10:30 due to church services that ended after 10. Sunday practice was light, fun and often they played games. It was as much a team building event as it was a practice. Today was inner-tube polo, which was really nothing like the real water polo game, but the swimmers all loved it. It was guys versus girls. Greg was on the advanced team, a collection of guys and girls who were the strongest swimmers in the program. All of them would swim in college if they wanted to, and they all wanted to. In the game, if you watched them playing, they looked nothing like the strong swimmers they were, arms and feet flailing as they tried to maneuver the tubes and catch and pass the ball. Mostly, the object became flipping each other over and then stealing their tubes. A few cheap grabs in the right places on either gender were thrown in for good measure. All in good fun. Even the coaches got in on the mix, the rare time Frank put on his own Speedo brand swim brief. By the time noon came, the temps were well into the low 90’s, a sweltering day.

Jimmy was soaked in sweat by the time he reached the pool. He had stripped off his white T-shirt somewhere along the way and tossed it behind a tree, he’d grab it on his way home. His shorts were soaked in sweat. He was practically dehydrated from the bike ride over. When he got to the gate, Molly was not there, and neither were her usual back ups, Ron or Melanie. They all had the day off.

“Hey kid, it’s $2 to get in,” the older guy yelled to Jimmy as he entered and walked past.

“Um, gosh, I don’t have any money,” Jimmy replied sheepishly.

“Sorry kid, no money, no swimming, them’s the rules,” replied the attendant. Jimmy never realized that he was being given a free ticket by Molly or the rest of the crew. He actually never gave any thought to there being a fee.

“You mean I can’t swim today,” Jimmy replied. “I haven’t missed in a month, I gotta swim.”

“Sorry kid, want to call someone or something?” He replied, trying to be nice.

“No, we don’t have much money. we can’t afford that.” Jimmy answered, rejected. It was tough being poor, and this hot Summer wasn’t helping, the crops drying up in the field. Dad had said they might lose the farm if the year didn’t turn around. Jimmy turned to walk away.

A young lady was right behind Jimmy. She overheard the whole conversation. She was a regular, but only on weekends. Jimmy had seen her before. She was maybe 25, and only swam when her husband could watch the two young kids. She smiled at Jimmy as he step aside. “Wait one second,” she said to Jimmy, seeing the tears welling in his eyes.

“How much for this young swimmer?” she asked.

“Two bucks,” the guy replied.

“I mean for the rest of the year,” she asked. “Indoor pool, too”

“Fifty bucks for the whole year,” he replied.

“Done,” she said, opening her checkbook. “Hey, go swimming,” she turned and said to Jimmy.

“Oh wow, thank you so much,” Jimmy replied. He started in, then stopped. He turned and ran back and wrapped his arms around her. “Thank you…”

Jimmy watched as the swimmers finished up their last game. It was about five minutes before noon, and the team cleared out right on time. The guys and girls mostly hopped up onto the side of the pool, Jimmy marveled at how incredibly muscular the guys were, with big broad shoulders, powerful pecs and deltoids, tight abs that showed how muscled the guys were, and powerful legs. They looked really strong in their racing style swimsuits, just like the Olympic swimmers on television. The swimsuits the guys were wearing looked pretty small, Jimmy thought, but he liked how they made the guys look like Olympians. He wondered what it would be like to wear a swimsuit like they had on with all the cute girls around. “The girls sure are cute,” Jimmy thought as he watched them walk by in their form fitting one piece suits. It seemed weird to Jimmy that the girls swimsuits covered so much and the guys covered so little. He smiled at the thought. Jimmy wanted to be one of the swimmer guys so badly.

Jimmy jumped in the pool and put on his goggles. He began swimming. He was now up to a solid half mile without stopping and his breathing and arm strokes looked so much better. He had practiced what Greg told him and he even checked out a book on swimming at the library. There was so much he wanted to learn, like flip turns, all the different strokes, and maybe how to jump off the starting blocks. He even started coming a few days a week at the night lap swim from 6-7PM to get more practice in. It showed in how much his technique had improved. The only downside was the toll the chlorine was taking on his swim shorts, the dark navy blue had faded to more of a medium blue and the elastic in the net liner was starting to wear out. One day he’s get one of those swimsuit’s the book recommended, the kind the swim team wore.

“Hey Jimmy,” a voice called as Jimmy finished up the first half mile of the day. Greg was standing at the top of his lane. “You look great, someone’s been working hard. Your breathing looks really good and you are pulling all the way through.

“Thanks, Greg,” Jimmy replied. “That looked like a fun game you guys were playing.”

“Yeah, on Sunday coach lets us have fun.” Greg smiled. Greg had brought over a bunch of stuff, a kick board, some pull buoys and some hand paddles. “Mind if I jump in?” Greg asked, not waiting for an answer. “Let’s try some new things today.”

“That would be great,” said Jimmy. “You really think I am doing good?”

“Yeah, actually you aren’t doing good, you are doing really great,” Greg responded, wrapping his arm around Jimmy’s shoulder. The contrast between the two was bigger than just age and swimming ability. Greg came from an affluent household on the Connecticut suburbs west of Hartford, where his family had big insurance ties. Money was never a worry for Greg, who really wanted for nothing. He had been swimming since he was a really little guy. Jimmy felt rich if he had three dollars in his pocket, most days he had nothing. Jimmy had never been to Connecticut, Greg was living with a host swimming family four hours from home. Jimmy had one swimsuit, the fading one he had on, Greg had a drawer jammed full of swim team suits and another drawer full of board shorts and such.

“So, what is all this stuff?” Jimmy asked.

“We’ll get to that, but first some more tips. I wasn’t to show you how to flip turn so you don’t have to hang on the wall,” Greg explained.

“Awesome,” Jimmy replied. “I watch you guys do them and I really like them,” Jimmy added.

“Well, they are cool, and they help you swim better.” Greg took jimmy out into the middle of the pool. “First, do a somersault in the water for me.” Jimmy did and came up coughing the water that shot up his nose.

“First lesson, as you do your flip, you need to breath out through your nose,” Greg explained. They stayed out there quite a while until Greg was sure Jimmy had the flip down.

“Okay, now we need to add the strokes and the wall,” Greg said leading Jimmy back toward the end of the lane. “Here, watch me,” Greg instructed. He pushed off, the loose string of his untied swimsuit hung down in the water, as he reached the wall both arms were at his side and Greg flipped in a perfect somersault, ending up head first off the wall. He pushed off and rotated, swimming back to Jimmy. Greg stood, and pulled his swimsuit back up onto his hips, it had not come off, but it slipped down off his hips. “Okay, always make sure your swimsuit is tied up,” Greg smirked as he tied his strings.

Part 3 continued
 

It took some time, but Jimmy finally got the hang of the flip turn, at least enough to be functional. He was not perfect, but he looked like he at least understood. “These are so cool.” Jimmy kept saying. He felt like a real swimmer each time he did one right. He’d come up and high five Greg.

“Now, each time you swim, you turn with a flip turn, no swimming to the wall and turning. If you screw up, stop and do it again until you get it right,” Greg instructed Jimmy like a coach. By the time all was done, Jimmy had learned how to use the pull buoys, the kick board and the paddles. Greg gave him sets of drills to work on each time he got in the pool. Between the flip turn and the drills, Jimmy’s head was full of new things to think about.

“I really appreciate this,’ Jimmy said as the two young swimmers stood at the top of the lane. Greg’s 6’2” height rising above the much shorted, but still growing Jimmy. Greg couldn’t explain what drove him to want to keep helping the kid, but Greg was having fun watching Jimmy learn. Maybe it was the dedication and desire. In a strange was, Greg got some motivation from Jimmy. Jimmy got inspiration from Greg. By now, Greg was the only swim team member left, even the coach was gone. He gracefully rose out of the pool, his lean tall frame standing on the deck, his muscular body on display in his tight blue and gold Tyr swimsuit. The female lifeguard took notice and was clearly checking every inch of him out. She was not a big “speedo” fan, but he sure did look great in his, she thought. Greg pulled the strings out of his swimsuit and untied them. He dropped them free, hanging down over his suit front and mid way down to his knees.

“Hey Jimmy, keep working on that. I’ll see you next time.” Greg turned and walked toward the locker room. In a few short minutes his perfect swimmer body would be buried under a plaid pair of board shorts and a white swim team sport T shirt. He hardly looked like the same guy.

“Thanks, Greg,” Jimmy replied just as Greg turned. Jimmy resumed his swimming, the flip turns getting better with each lap. The young lady who paid Jimmy’s way had watched the two guys, She smiled at how the older young man was taking the younger one under his wing. She felt great that she helped let it happen. At 2 PM, the whistle blew, ending lap swimming. Jimmy climbed from the pool, taking all of the various swim gear with him. The hot sun and high heat immediately smothered him. A quick shower and he was back on his bike heading home. A funny thing happened as Jimmy left the pool. A young lady about his age turned and checked him out. Jimmy never even noticed. His swimming was making progress beyond just his ability in the pool.

Olympic swimmer
 

STS

I love this story so far. Jimmy needed the instruction and hints from Greg to make him a better swimmer. Since Jimmy comes from a farming family he works in all weather conditions. Most importantly Jimmy has the determination to get better at swimmimg a few encouraging words from Molly help too. I can't wait to read the next chapter in this story. Brian

Olympic Swimmer
 

STS,

Another wonderful chapter. I think it's so interesting that Greg is motivated by Jimmy and he may not even know why he's taken Jimmy under his wing. He's doing it out of the goodness of his heart, but you so skillfully create the image so it never feels like Greg is condescending or feeling sorry for Jimmy. Greg just wants to help him and Jimmy is like a sponge absorbing everything Greg is teaching him. And I keep coming back to the same thing - you have a talent for creating characters who are good, decent people. I'm loving this story.

D67

thanks
 

Hey D67, Shaulis and Speedo Minded Guy:

Your notes are really great and mean so much. It is why I keep writing. Glad you like the story....

Ryan...aka STS

STS,

You have this knack of creating good, descent characters that we, your readers, can get behind and cheer. Jimmy and Greg are the newest examples.

Part 4
 

Greg was so excited as he left the pool. Monique was coming to visit for the next two days. She was entering her senior year also, the two had dated exclusively since they were sophomores. She was not a swimmer, in fact she was not even into sports, more of an arts girl who loved music and dance. She was petite, light brown hair with matching brown eyes and a smile that made Greg turn to mush. It had been a month since they had seen each other, but thanks to Facetime and Skype they at least got to do the next best thing. They planned to spend the day at a nearby beach, just the two of them, catching up on everything they had missed. Despite the time they had been together, they never pushed themselves on the sex front. Monique wanted to stay pure until marriage and Greg respected her values, despite his male urges and raging hormones.

“Oh no you don’t,” Monique said as they got out of the car at the beach. “No board shorts, cutie. I don’t date a swimmer not to get to see you in something more fun at the beach.”

“But I’ll be the only guy not in boardies,” Greg replied, blushing at the thought that was really crossing his mind. He was fine in a brief swimsuit at the swim team and at meets, even in Monique’s back yard alone, but he had never worn a swim team suit at the beach. Some things a guy just didn’t do.

“Yeah, you’re point silly?” Monique asked. “You are also going to be the only cute guy on the beach and I want to see your sexy legs.” She gave Greg that smile, which he could not resist. Truth is, that wasn’t all she wanted to see.

“Okay,” he replied reluctantly. He reached in his swim bag and pulled out a handful of swimsuits. “Any preference?” he asked. “Makes no difference to me,”

Monique looked at each of the three suits he grabbed. She picked a Nike suit that was blue print that looked like water, with sort of a metallic look weaved in. “This looks cute,” she said. “But, I got surprise for you,” With that, Monique pulled out of her bag a pair of red print Speedo Cyber Swirl Speedo briefs, size 28, and tossed them to Greg.

Greg held them up. “I love these,” he was all smiles. Monique knew how much Greg loved getting new swimsuits. Everyday, he’d send her selfies of him in his swimsuit of the day, especially when he was wearing a new one.

“Put them on, cutie… let me see what they look like,” Monique asked excitedly. She had never bought a guy’s Speedo swimsuit, but for her first try she has done well.

Greg opened the car door and then wrapped a towel around his waist. He slid off the boardies and slipped on the Nike underneath the towel. Once he had it pulled up, he tossed the towel in the car and then did the final adjustments to the suit, finally tying up the strings. While he was doing that, Monique has shed her shorts and Tank Top and was wearing the cutest, tiniest red string tied bikini. Now he knew why she picked out red for his suit. They matched perfectly. She had bought both special for the trip. For a girl that wanted to stay pure until marriage, she sure knew a way to drive Greg wild in some of her cute outfits. Greg knew that most of this day would be spent on his stomach or in the cold water. Swim briefs gave him few options with Monique looking so hot.

____


“Coach says a couple colleges are coming to see me at the meet next week,” Greg said as the two walked along the surf, holding hands. Greg was strutting proud as a peacock with his love’s hand wrapped in his. The whole swim suit worries turned out to be nothing to be concerned about. Anytime he felt the urge, he’d jump in the water. He was in the water quite frequently.

“That’s great,” she said.

“Yeah, they are all D1 programs, so that is really great,” Greg added. “All schools I have sent video to, also, so they know I am interested.” Monique and Greg agreed that if at all possible they would go to the same school.

“Oh yeah, and I am coaching this younger guy to swim,” Greg added, spilling all the news of the last month as fast as snow falling in a blizzard. “He comes to the pool every day and swims for hours. He is not really good, but he really wants to learn. Nice kid, a bit shy, but if I had a little brother, this kid would be him.” Greg filled her in on the whole Jimmy story.

“You really like him,” Monique said.

“Yeah, it’s weird. I don’t know his story, but he seems like he doesn’t have much. He wears the same blue swim shorts every day. Never a different pair. He rides a ratty old bike. I kind of wonder…” Greg trailed off.

“Maybe you should give him a couple of your swimsuits,” Monique suggested. “I mean you have like a zillion of them. I’ve seen your drawer.”

“I don’t think he’d wear a suit like this,” Greg said pointing at himself. “I mean they are pretty tiny, most guys would never wear these.”

“Yeah, but if he swims as much as you say, I bet he’d like to have a real swimsuit. You always say how good they are for swimming.” Monique answered. “Plus, look at how cute you look.” she grabbed him and they stood in the surf and gave each other a big long hug.

_____


By the end of the next week, Jimmy was doing really well with the flip turns, not ready to join a swim team, but the progress was impressive. He had added all the drills into his workout, and really needed more than the two hours of lap swimming, so he added even more second swims, now doing two a days four days each week. It was another cold and rainy day when Jimmy headed out for the pool. His blue swim shorts were still damp from the night before when he slipped them on. After all the swimming he had been doing in the chlorinated water, the suit was really starting to show the effects. Threading in the waist was fraying, the color was getting lighter, and with Jimmy’s tightening abdomen, the swimsuit was starting to feel too big. Jimmy tied up the strings, pulled on a white T-shirt and headed out to his bike.

“Looks like it might be just you again,” said Molly as Jimmy entered, soaked from the wet ride. Jimmy flashed his swim pass and entered the pool area. The swim team was just wrapping up, the coach was really giving it to three guys on the team, including Greg. Not mean, but Jimmy knew he meant business. Jimmy gave Greg a quick wave, Greg nodded back, hardly taking his eyes off the coach. Jimmy grabbed his equipment from the bins and headed over to his usual second lane. The rain had let up, but the dark clouds loomed, more was sure to fall. Jimmy jumped in and stood, adjusting his goggles. He watched as the swim team gathered in the picnic area for a meeting. Jimmy wondered what they were talking about as he pushed off for his first set of laps.

All of the guys wearing solid green custom suits made by Agon with the swim team logo sewn into the left side. The suits were small cut, with really narrow sides, probably not more than an inch and a half. The girls had matching one piece suits with the logo just above their right hip. Jimmy noticed the swimsuits right off, especially that they were even smaller and clung tighter on the guys than the other suits he had seen them in. Jimmy wondered to himself what it must me like to wear swimsuit like that. Jimmy was actually jealous and was starting to hate his blue shorts.

“Hey, Greg, looks like your little brother is here again,“ said one of the guys on the team as they all started heading for the locker room. The teen girls enjoyed the show, as they always did.

“Yeah, he swims just like Greg,” added another.

“He’s a good kid,” Greg replied cutting them off. Greg stopped and watched Jimmy do his flip turn at the far end of the pool. Greg smiled at how good Jimmy was doing.

“Go get him, coach,” one of the guys mocked as Greg stepped toward Jimmy’s lane.

Jimmy stopped when he saw Greg’s tall body standing at the end of the lane. “Hi Greg,” Jimmy opened the conversation. “I’ve been trying all the stuff you told me,” Jimmy added.

“I see that, your turns look really good.” Greg gave Jimmy a high five.

Greg gave Jimmy some pointers on his flip turns and did a few demos for Jimmy so he could see what he meant. He made Jimmy try each new thing several times. The biggest issue was that Jimmy wasn’t really pushing hard off the wall. When Jimmy did push hard, his shorts would almost slide off his hips, despite the tied string.

“I think your swimsuit is too loose,” Greg said to Jimmy. “Might be time a for a new swimsuit, one made more for swimming.”

“What do you mean?” Jimmy asked. “Made more for swimming?”

“Something more like what I am wearing,” Greg replied.

“I’m not sure,” Jimmy replied. “How much do they cost?”

Greg assumed Jimmy’s reaction was more about the tiny and tight fit, while for Jimmy it was really about the money. “I know they are tiny, and some guys don’t like that, but they are really the best thing for swimmers,” Greg explained. “I think you can get one for like $25 at the sports store in town.” Greg added, a little light on the price.

“Well, maybe,“ Jimmy answered, knowing there was no way he could get $25 to buy a swimsuit. Even if he did, he’d never get his mom to buy him something that small and tight for him ro go swimming in. “I really like your team swimsuits,” Jimmy added, not sharing any of his real concerns.

“Maybe we can figure something out,” Greg responded.

Part 4 continued
 

The subject changed to Greg showing Jimmy a new stroke. The only stroke Jimmy did was freestyle. “I want to add breast stroke into your swims,” Greg explained. “It will give you variety and it will strengthen other muscles.” For the next half hour, Greg patiently taught Jimmy the breast stroke. Jimmy struggled with the timing and with getting a good kick. All his freestyle swimming had made his legs tight, so getting them to spread open for the breast kick was difficult. Jimmy’s shorts didn’t help much, limiting the ability of him to open up a wide spread, without splitting the seams.

“My legs are sore,” Jimmy said after doing several tries. “Guess you were right about new muscles.” Jimmy added. Despite the soreness, Greg and Jimmy kept going for several more minutes.

“Well, you keep working on that, and think about the swimsuit,” Greg closed. He did his usual effortless bounce out of the pool. Jimmy stopped, this time taking a closer look at the swimsuit Greg was wearing, really thinking about it. It was pretty small and it sure showed everything, Jimmy thought to himself. However, it did look cool and he really liked the thought of looking like a real swimmer. Jimmy wondered what it would be like to wear something that revealing, especially around girls.

“Hey Greg, thanks,” Jimmy said as Greg stood on the pool deck.

“No problem, Jimmy, you are a good learner,” Greg replied. “Do you know what waist size you are?” Greg asked.

“Twenty eight,” I think. “Maybe twenty six?” he added. “Why?”

“Oh, no reason,” Greg answered. “Just thinking…”

Jimmy swam all the way to the end of lap swimming, as he always did. Since no one showed up for open swimming, he stayed an extra hour. The rain had ended, but the clouds persisted. He kept working on what Greg had showed him. The whole time he was thinking about a new swimsuit. He was all excited about having one like Greg had. He just had to figure out how he’d pull that off.

WOW!!!! I've been in the UK for the past 9 days and come home to a great new story!! Thanks! I love the mentoring role that Greag has taken on and how freely he gives of himself. Wouldn't the world be a better place if more people were like that!

STS,

I just read chapter 4 of the story. Somehow I passed over it last night. What a wonderful chapter. I know I say that all the time, but it's always true. The strengthening of the bond between Greg and Jimmy is really cool, especially with Greg saying that if he had a younger brother, it would be Jimmy. And introducing Monique as Greg's love interest and also as a very caring person just enhances the story. And Jimmy continues to be the hardworking kid who pushes himself and loves that Greg is helping him, and always says "thanks."

D67, and if Brian and Ryan are giving their first names, so will I..... Mark

Olympic Dreams
 

STS,

I just read part four of your story. I don't know how I missed it before but I did. I love the growing bond between Greg and Jimmy. Greg patiently teaches Jimmy his strokes and turns like he would a brother even Greg's teammates notice this and tease him a little for it.I like that we get to meet Monique Greg's girlfriend. She gave Greg the idea to give Jimmy a few of his older swimsuits. I can't wait to read the next part.

Brian

Part 5
 

The big pool was closed all day on Saturday for a fairly large swim meet, the big meet Greg was waiting for. Jimmy was forced to use the indoor pool, which was a much smaller 25 yard pool in a dark and dreary building that looked like a converted garage. The indoor pool was more crowded, a favorite of the town’s senior population and in the Summer the water was kept warmer than usual, partly by design and partly because the building just got hot. Jimmy shared a lane with an older lady who was not at all happy about it. In fact, she was rather rude, and she simply kept hogging the whole lane, making Jimmy work around her. With her size, it was no small feat. The one time Jimmy bumped her, she made a big scene and wanted him thrown out.

“Youngsters aren’t suppose to be in here, anyway,” she said to the lifeguard. He was cordial, let he gripe for a while and then politely told her she either obeyed the rules or she was going to have to leave. This made Jimmy smile and her mad. Such is life.

Jimmy’s turns got messed up, for no reason than just the new surroundings. Actually, swimming in a different pool was good for Jimmy’s skill development. As he swam, he noticed the different posters for the swim team Greg was on and for the two high school teams that used the pool as home in the swim season. Jimmy never even realized that the school had a swim team, and he was immediately intrigued by the idea of joining it. Of course, it wasn’t going to be as easy as he thought.

The crabby old lady finally left, and no one replaced her, so Jimmy had the lane all to himself. In the lane next to him, a guy in his sixties was swimming back and forth. He wasn’t real fast, but Jimmy watched as he went though a combination of back stroke, breast stroke and what Jimmy had learned from Greg was freestyle, or just free for short. The guy was really graceful in the water. Jimmy also noticed he had on a really colorful swimsuit that looked just like the kind Greg wanted Jimmy to buy, except way more colors. It looked great on him. “A real swimmer,” Jimmy thought.

Jimmy started doing some of his drills, first a series of kicks with the board. He really was concentrating on his breast stroke kick, which was not going as good as he liked. He watched the colorful swimsuit guy in the lane next, who seemed to kick effortlessly. Jimmy tried to mimic his kick as much as he could. If it was getting better, Jimmy wasn’t feeling it. He switched to his normal kick after five awful laps, working on the timing tips Greg gave him. The older guy had stopped at the wall and was now watching Jimmy, as he made his way down and back. Just as Jimmy finished up, the lifeguard blew his whistle. Lap swim was over, a full two hours burned up. Jimmy stopped and stood.

“Hey, your pretty good, young man,” the colorful suit guy said.

“Thanks, sir“, Jimmy replied. “My breast stroke kick sucks, not as good as yours,” Jimmy replied in a youthful sort of way.

“Well, you looked like you were doing fine. Are you on the swim team?” the guy asked.

Jimmy beamed with pride. He took the question as a compliment. “Well, no, but I plan to try out,” Jimmy answered with rising excitement.

“Good for you, swimming is a great sport,” he answered. “My name is Jack, by the way,” Jack added extending his hand.

“Jimmy,” came the reply with the return handshake. The lifeguard let the guys chat as he started to pull the ropes to open the pool for water aerobics. “Hey, I really like your swimsuit,” Jimmy added.

“Yeah?,” Jack replied. “Best swimsuits for swimming, and I like the colors. Gives an old guy like me some youth.” Jack chuckled.

“My swimming coach wants me to get a real swimsuit,” Jimmy added, referring to Greg “Where did you get yours?” Jimmy asked.

The lifeguard finally intervened and said they really needed to get out. Jack gracefully hopped out, almost as smooth as Greg did. Jimmy watched and tried to do the same. He planted both hands flat on the wall and then did a jump, thrusting up from his legs. To his total astonishment, his body cleared the wall and he stood on the deck. First time ever Jimmy had hoped out of the pool. He withheld his excitement, opting to take the cool swimmer route.

“I get my suits on line,” Jack explained as the two walked into the locker room. The young kid and the older guy chatted for quite a while as Jack got changed. Jimmy, of course, stayed in his blue swimsuit shorts, but was enjoying the conversation. Jack was full of sage swimming advice for the young man, and generous in offering it up. By the time Jimmy walked out with Jack from the locker room, he not only had made a new friend, but he landed his first job. Jack offered him $20 to mow his small yard once a week and do the trimming. He even gave Jimmy a $10 advance on his first mow. Jack had no idea if he’d ever see Jimmy again, but when he learned Jimmy’s story, he just felt the need to give the kid a break.

------

Monique watched and screamed as Greg hit the first turn of his IM, the conversion from fly to back. Greg was literally “flying,” at least half a body ahead of the next swimmer. This was his star event, and the one that would get him onto a college team. The turn was perfect, a solid push and rotate off the wall, Greg was now moving powerfully down the lane on his back. His reach was great, one of the weak spots in his swim, but not today.

Greg knew he was swimming well. He just felt it. Out of the peripheral of his vision he could see the hands of the swimmer next to him. They were arguably the two best IM swimmers in the region. Back was the weakest link in Greg’s IM, but if he could end this with a slight lead, he knew he could kill the breast and free. Midway down the length of the 50 yard old distance pool, Phillip had closed Greg’s lead. Greg reached farter and pulled harder as he could now see Phillip’s almost entire arm next to him. “Stay focused,” Greg commanded himself. He had two challenges, don’t let Phillip’s speed frustrate him, and nail the turn. His back to breast turn was the other bad spot in his medley.

“Go Greg,” Monique yelled. Greg could actually hear her cheers. He smiled inside and his male ego fired into an even higher gear.

Greg and Phillip hit the wall almost dead even, Greg a slight advantage, maybe a fraction of a second. Greg flipped and thrusted with everything he had. It wasn’t a great turn, but it was enough to not let Phillip get past him. The crowd was going crazy. This was the race of the meet. Six college coaches crowded the side of the pool watching, taking copious notes on everything about the swimmer’s techniques. Phillip was swimming shockingly strong on breast, which was to have been his weakest link. “Eat wake,” Greg thought as he tried to pull away. Apparently Phillip wasn’t that hungry for water because he stayed right with Greg’s challenge. Greg needed a solid lead entering the free, which the two were a toss up.

Greg hit the wall and made a solid flip, gave it his best push off ever. It was his best turn of his swimming career. All the work coach had been making him do was paying off. But, not enough. Phillip actually pulled ahead by mere inches on a solid turn and stronger free off the wall.

Between the two teams chants one could not make out the Greg from the Phil as the crowd was going wild. It sounded more like a basketball game than a swim meet. The last 50 yards of the free seemed like an eternity. By mid pool, the two were neck and neck, no discernable advantage for either. “Come on, Greg,” Monique prayed. Her hands at her mouth, he heart in her throat. This was a huge race for him, for both guys, actually.

“Push,” Greg thought. He had 25 yards left, he gave it everything he had. The pace picked up, the final kick. Phillip answered, staying right with him. Depending on angle, it was either Greg ahead by a finger or Phillip ahead by the same. Both tall, lean bodies, gliding through the water, their tiny swimsuits barely visible in the wake of water coming over their backs. The crowd screaming, the two hit the wall. Greg’s head popped up first, followed by Phillip. The two guys had nothing left, gasping for air. Their hearts pounded in their chest. The officials had no idea who won.

Greg and Phillip reached over the ropes and shook hands, then immediately they embraced each other. “Great race,” they both said, followed by declarations that the other guy had won. The cameras and cell phone captured the embrace, which became the photo on the front page of the Sunday paper in the small town. Rarely did the paper run photos of guy swimmers in their small race suits fully exposed, but this photo was just to perfect a story to pass on.

The guys waited, the other swimmers on the teams wrapped around them. The officials checked the photos and videos of the finish. The touch mat showed one winner by less than a tenth of a second, but the officials wanted to see if they could back that up, the race so close. Greg tugged at his swimsuit, pulling away the cling. He pulled out the strings, his symbolic declaration that he was finished for the day. Phillip had already done the same. What was a few minute wait seemed to take forever.

“After a review of the photos and the videos, along with the touch mat, we can officially state that the race was won by the swimmer from…..” The official announcement came. Greg heard none of that info, at least none of it registered. All he heard was the name.

“Congratulations, Phillip,” Greg gracefully extended his hand. “You swam an amazing medley.”

“You, too,” Phillip answered.

Part 5 continued
 

Greg turned and hugged Monique, the tears coming down his cheek masked by the pool water coming off his wet hair. She held him as he kissed her neck, not even flinching at how his wet body was soaking into her clothes. “Guess I lost,” he said.

Jimmy stood back and watched. He had rode his bike over from the indoor pool, hoping to see the race. He got there just as the race started. He was awestruck by the whole event. Jimmy did not know what he would say to Greg, so he just stood back, buried into the crowd. It was like a scene from any sports championship, jubilation on one side, tears on the other. The third place swimmer was totally faded into the background.

“Sorry coach,” Greg said as his coach wrapped his arm around him.

“Greg, you swam the best race you could. It showed. You gave everything you had. You have nothing to be sorry about.” Coach answered. He always had the right thing to say. Greg smiled. “And a few college coaches want to meet you.”

Greg entered the locker room and quickly shed the wet, tight swimsuit. While he loved his race day suits, right now a swimsuit was the last thing he wanted to wear. He showered alone, the locker room empty, and changed into his favorite bright orange and black board shorts. He was done with swimming for the day. Tomorrow he would start again. Next time, Phillip was going down, Greg thought. He had lost the big race, but he still had his spirit.

Jimmy rode home.

part 5
 

STS,

I loved this chapter. We see Greg lose in a very fast race by a fraction. What a heartbreaking loss for Greg and by only a few tenths of a second. I hope Jimmy does try out for the swim team if you take this story that far. I can't wait for the next chapter

Brian

Part 5
 

STS,

Another terrific chapter, full of suspense and excitement. You captured the thoughts of both swimmers so well, all the while keeping the race at the forefront of the chapter. And Jimmy is beginning to think that maybe, just maybe, he can become a high school swimmer. I'm eagerly awaiting the next chapter to see the outcome of the idea of getting Jimmy a real swimmer's suit. Great work on this chapter!

Mark

Part 6
 

The Sunday after the big meet was a special treat, coach gave the team the day off. It was a good thing, Greg had not slept at all, the race playing in his mind, over and over and over again. Greg climbed out of bed, it was a few minutes after five am. He slipped on the board shorts he wore yesterday and went downstairs. The sun was already coming up, but the house was still quiet. It would be at least an hour before anyone else got out of bed. Monique, who had come up for the meet, was still in the other bedroom of the house. After the meet, Greg and her, along with his host parents had gone to dinner. Greg and Monique then spent the evening out by the small backyard pool, playing cards and just being boyfriend and girlfriend. All the while, Greg felt like he had let everyone, most of all himself, down.

While he had no desire to swim, he jumped in the pool and swam a few “laps” underwater, just to get refreshed and wash the cobwebs from his eyes. He felt the drag of his board shorts, a far different feel from his swim team suits. While he loved his boardies, he knew he could never actually swim in them. He climbed out, refreshed, and sat on the lounger. The time alone was nice. He leaned back and reflected. He had swam the race of his life, set a new personal best time, and he did get some looks from a couple of great schools. It really wasn’t the end of the world.

Just before he was about to doze, Greg got out of the chair and headed back inside. Back in his room, his home away from home, he grabbed his box full of swimsuits and dumped all of them on his bed. He had at least 40 suits in the box, not even half of his total collection. He added the four new swimsuits he got at the meet, tags still on them, two of which Monique had picked out. He smiled at the new suits, excited to try them on, but he held back. Greg methodically laid each suit out, sorting them by brands. Speedo was the most popular in his collection, followed by Tyr, Nike, and Agon. He had a sole Arena suit, and a couple different less common brands. He had a couple suits where he had duplicate colors, one size 26 and one in 28. Greg wore mostly 28, except for races where he wore 26 or even 24. He pulled from his stacks two suits, both size 26, both Speedo brand and set them aside. He laid his collection neatly back in the box.

-----

Jimmy got home from church and ran in the house and quickly changed into his blue shorts, his usual Sunday morning rush. While the rest of the family would sit down to a lunch, Jimmy would hop on his bicycle and head over to the pool. He got to the pool at about quarter of noon, surprised to see it totally empty. No swim team. He was looking forward to watching the Sunday game of inner tube Polo.

“You get to start early,” Molly said as Jimmy came in,

“How come?” Jimmy asked.

“Oh, swim team took the day off,” Molly replied.

Jimmy was disappointed that he would not see Greg. He was looking forward to telling him about his idea to join the high school team. Jimmy dropped his stuff on the bench along the fence, stripped off his shirt and ran in to take the required shower. On his way back he grabbed all his drill gear. He was still the only one there, besides the guards and Molly. Jimmy jumped in and began swimming. One would think a kid who came swimming every day for hours would get tired of it. Not Jimmy, he loved every minute.

The swim team coach was in the small office working. He used the quiet time to write up some new drills and practice plans. He looked out his window and saw the same kid in blue shorts. He stopped his writing and watched. “Wow, has he improved,” he thought to himself. He recalled weeks back a skinny, uncoordinated kid who looked like a fish out of water as he swam. He stood and left his office.

“Who is that kid?” Coach asked Molly.

“Oh, that’s Jimmy, he swims every day, rain or shine. Two hours and then sometimes comes back at night and swims again,” Molly explained.

“He’s really improved,” the Coach added. “Is he being coached at all?”

“Not really,” Molly replied. “Greg from your team spends some time with him, but that is about it.”

“Interesting,” Coach replied. “So this is the kid Greg was talking about,” Coach thought to himself.

“You know, Molly, he may not have the best technique yet, but I have to admire his dedication. I’d take that on my team any day, I can work with a kid who has drive.”

Jimmy went back and forth, changing up strokes. He saw the coach on the deck, but never heard a word of the conversation. Jimmy had no idea how important this day was going to be for his future plans. The Coach smiled and went back into his office. “I like this kid,” he thought to himself.

-----

Monique and Greg had plans to spend the afternoon at the beach. The left the house shortly after twelve and made a stop at a local Dunkin Donuts for food Greg’s coach would freak out at. Greg had two chocolate glazed donuts and a chocolate milk. Monique had a bagel with cream cheese and an iced coffee. “Hey, mind if I swing by the pool?” Greg asked. “I want to go say hi to Jimmy.”

“Sure,” Monique replied. “I’d like to meet him.”

Jimmy was finishing up his first hour. He stopped at the wall and was changing into flippers for his kicking drills. He wasn’t really watching for Greg, figuring he’d not see his friend and coach today.

“Hey Jimmy,” the voice started Jimmy’s concentration. He turned and saw Greg and Monique walking toward him. This time Greg had on white “Corona” logo’d boardies, which was funny because not only did Greg not drink beer, but he wasn’t even close to old enough. In fact, he’d never even tasted a Corona. He just liked the shorts. Monique was far more interesting. She had on tiny pink shorts and a short cropped T-shirt that had a low neckline. She wasn’t just cute, Jimmy thought, she was hot!

“Hey Greg,” Jimmy replied with excitement. They went through introductions, with Jimmy reaching up and shaking Monique’s hand. Jimmy then explained what he was working on.

“Let’s see what you can do,” Greg asked. He watched as Jimmy swam a lap, did the best flip turn he could at the end and then swam back half way in back and then the other in breast.

“Jimmy, you are doing really good, that looked great.” Greg offered. “Hey, I got something for you,” Jimmy added, pulling the two swimsuits he had set aside earlier from the bag. “I think it is time you wore a real swimsuit.” Greg added.

Jimmy was overwhelmed. He held up the two suits, one a red print and the other a blue solid with yellow side panels. Both size 26. “Thanks, so much,” Jimmy replied.

“Hey, I got lots of swimsuits and these were duplicates, so I thought you could use them, go out one on and lets see…” Greg tailed off. Jimmy leaped from the pool, showing off his newest skill, and headed to the locker room to change. Monique smiled as Greg’s “younger brother” headed off to change.

“You really care about him,” she said as she kissed Greg’s cheek. “You’re sweet.”

Jimmy slipped off the blue swims shorts and chose the red print Speedo brand suit to put on. He slid the tight swimsuit up his legs and around his waist. The suit was snug and tight, and really tiny, but it actually fit perfectly. The snug lycra material wrapped around Jimmy, grabbing him snugly. The same ting that happens to most guys the first time they put on a snug fitting swimsuit happened to Jimmy, at least somewhat. He stood in front of the full length mirror and looked at how the suit looked on.

“Wow, you can see everything,” he thought to himself. It seemed way more revealing on him than he thought these swimsuits looked on the swim team guys. He fussed with positioning and look, finally deciding on what felt most comfortable. Despite the fact that this was the smallest piece of clothing he will have ever worn in his life, Jimmy had no hesitation walking out of the locker room.

“Now you look like a serious swimmer,” Greg complimented him.

“You do look great, Jimmy,” Monique added. Jimmy smiled at both of them, but opted not to stare to much at Monique for fear his body might respond.

“Did you tie the strings?” Greg asked.

“Oh yeah, forgot,” Jimmy replied. He pulled the strings out and tied them up tight.

Greg slipped off his Corona shorts to reveal one of the swimsuits Monique had bought. She smiled at him and he gave her a little swirl. With that the two guys jumped in the water. Jimmy immediately could not believe how different the water felt on his body. It was like he was free, almost naked.

“Let’s swim a length, so you get used to the new swimsuit. Jimmy started out and Greg followed. It was a much slower pace for Greg, but he held back. He watched the timing of Jimmy’s kick ahead of him, and the pull through of his arms. The next big critical thing, Greg thought, was to get Jimmy to rotate more. They got to the end of the pool and stood.

“How was it?” Greg asked.

“I love my swimsuit,” Jimmy answered.

“I told you,” Greg replied. “Looks like it fits perfect, too.” Jimmy smiled.

Part 6 continued
 

Jimmy never got a chance to tell Greg about the swim team. He was too excited about his new suits. He did, however, tell Greg how amazing he swam yesterday. Greg smiled. Being Jimmy’s hero was the best reward he could have. The two swimmers went on about their practice.

On the way out Coach stopped Greg. After a brief word of encouragement about his swim yesterday, the coach asked about Jimmy. Greg filled him in on the entire story. Coach wasn’t sure what he was more impressed with, Jimmy’s dedication or Greg’s generosity of time.

“You’re a good guy, Greg,” Coach replied. “Keep encouraging him, and keep me posted.”

Monique and Greg headed off to the beach, where she was going to tantalize him in her blue bikini and he was going to show off to her in his hot blue print racer. Jimmy swam for almost two more hours and then rode home in his new swimsuit, the old blue shorts retired.

“Oh, by the way Greg, the coach from Uconn is calling me today,” Coach added. “To talk about you…”

part 6
 

STS,

Another great chapter. I hope Jimmy tells Greg that he's thinking of joining his school swim team. If I were a gambling man I'd say the Greg character was fashioned after you STS (Ryan)as you're generous with your time and swim knowledge but I don't know if you'd give away any of your swimsuit collection to anyone. I loved that Greg's coach was impressed with Jimmy's progress with Greg's tips and pointers but essentially Jimmy did it with his own determination to get better. Even Monique noticed how Greg treated Jimmy like a younger brother. I wonder how Jimmy's parents will react when he arrives home in his new (to him) swimsuit. I hope good things come from Greg's coachs talk with the UConn swim coach. I can't wait for the next chapter.

Thanks,

Brian

Part 6
 

STS,

Another great chapter. I like the way Greg is so nonchalant about giving the 2 swimsuits to Jimmy and how grateful Jimmy is. Even though Greg and Monique had plans to go to the beach, they still stopped by the pool to check on Jimmy's progress. It was Greg's idea to do that, but Monique was fine with it because she seems to be a giving person. And while Greg was at the pool where he practices and whipped off the boardies down to his swim briefs, you know that he will do the same at the beach because of Monique's influence. It was also nice to see Jimmy, a poor kid, wearing good quality suits and admiring himself when he put the red one on. Finally, we know that the coach will be watching Jimmy very closely.

Mark

Okay - I had not checked the "story' page for a while, so I just got to read this new story today. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop! I love the characters of Greg and Jimmy, and the way they have become such close friends. Greg mentoring the younger kid is great - what a kind and decent young man he is. I can't wait for the next chapter! Thanks for sharing this with us.

Jim

short delay
 

Call it an intermission... I am working on the next few chapters, but I have special guests for the next few weeks, so I may be slower getting new chapters up. Thanks for understanding. Summer in Maine, USA is short (especially this one after that harsh winter) and I always take full advantage of it.

Ryan

Short delay
 

I certainly understand the delay. We folks in Maine have to take advantage of every day of summer because all too soon, cooler weather will be here. And when you have guests, you want to spend as much time with them as you canmwhile the weather is still warm. I eagerly await the next chapters. Have fun.

Mark

Short Delay
 

STS,

I completely understand the delay. Family and friends are more important to be with than be cooped up inside typing at the computer. Hope you and your friends and family thoroughly enjoy what's left of the summer. I and your other readers await the next chapter in your story.

Brian

Part 7
 

Two weeks remained in the Summer swim program, with a final big meet down in Boston. It featured all the advanced AAU teams from the New England region, hosted at Boston University. It was the biggest meet of the season, and also the best exposure for rising senior class swimmers not yet signed, like Greg. Every major college coach on the east coast would be there. Greg had already captured the attention of eight schools, six at the D1 level and two strong D2 programs. A good showing at the meet would seal the deal, which had Greg working extra hard and extra long. He even had asked Monique to stay home for the next two weekends, so he could concentrate solely on his swimming. As much as he wanted to see her, Greg knew the distraction of a cute girl was not the best option. Monique understood, although she was a bit jealous of losing her cute boyfriend to chlorine and laps.

It was a wicked hot Thursday, the kind of August day that actually made people think of the colder days ahead as not such a bad option. Of course, those thoughts were just wrong, but nonetheless, in the 95 degree heat and high humidity, a good blizzard could look appealing. Jimmy did his usual bike ride to the pool, his sweat quickly soaking his body and his swimsuit as he made the trip. Jimmy had become known as the “Speedo kid” by those who saw his regular rides to the pool. Just as he did in his old blue swimming shorts, Jimmy simply wore his swimsuit for his rides to the pool. Most days he had on a shirt, but on a hot day like today, it was just the swimsuit. While his mom was not all that happy about his tiny little swimsuit, he convinced her that “all the real swimmers wear them,” so she relented on her pressure to convince him to keep the shorts.

Jimmy got to the pool just as the swim team wrapped up a really intense practice. Greg had been there since 6, spent almost the whole time in the pool. He was beat both physically and mentally. It had been a tough week, including a small meet earlier in the week between three local clubs. Greg’s team took the meet soundly, a reflection of the superior depth of talent and the reputation of the program.

“Hey Greg,” Coach called.

Greg reluctantly walked over, having no more desire to think about more swimming. He listened politely as the coach went over some areas of opportunity in his swimming, the whole time thinking he just wanted to get out of the swimsuit and go lay down. The teen girls along the fence drooled over the tall, cute swimmer talking to the coach. Greg had his hands on his hips, his feet about shoulder length apart, and his wet suit hugged his body tightly. It was no wonder the young girls enjoyed the view. Jimmy also watched as the coach and Greg discussed whatever they were talking about. Jimmy had not talked to Greg in a few days and was really hoping to show him his progress.

“Go get some lunch and let’s meet back here at 1:15 for some one on one,” Coach added.

“Okay, Coach,” Greg said with little of his usual enthusiasm. He was so ready for a shower, dry shorts and a lazy afternoon in a lounger. Instead, it was a cold sandwich from the snack bar, a diet lemonade, and another kick butt session one on one with the beast, Greg’s nickname for the coach when he was going too far.

Jimmy was doing his laps as Greg ate the dry sandwich. He had so much improved, largely driven by the extra workouts he was getting in several evenings a week. Greg watched as the skinny swimmer he saw eight weeks ago was now moving down the pool with a vastly improved stoke, doing near perfect flips, and had developed a strong kick. Jimmy truly was becoming a really good swimmer. “Time to turn it up a notch,” Greg thought. After all, Jimmy had confided in Greg that he wanted to join the swim team in high school, and while Greg knew that was no easy task, he was his usual encouraging mentor. “You really should try out,” he told Jimmy. “If you make it, you will love it!”

“Hey Jimmy,” Greg called from his perch at the top of the lane.

Jimmy stopped and stood. His face showed his excitement that Greg has come over to see him.

“Hi Greg,” Jimmy replied. “I am really working hard to make the team,” Jimmy added.
“I can tell,” Greg replied. “I am really impressed by how great your swimming has become.” Jimmy beamed with pride at the compliment.

Greg jumped in. “Can’t do much, because I just ate,” Greg advised. “But let me show you a few things.” Greg and Jimmy worked the pool like two serious college swimmers, the older one guiding the younger one.

“You really want to reach as far as you can,” Greg explained, “and then follow all the way back, take advantage of the full arm stroke.”

Jimmy tried, and while he was doing what Greg said, it was messing up his whole style. “I can’t do it,” Jimmy finally said, exasperated.

“I know it is hard, Jimmy,” Greg empathized. “But, it will make you swim so much better if we get this worked out, together.”

From his office, coach watched as the star swimmer worked with the younger guy. He smiled at the joy Greg was bringing to the younger kid, as well as the skill. He clearly had developed quite a relationship with the kid. Coach watched as Greg showed Jimmy new techniques and useful tips. Coach got up from his seat and walked out to the pool deck. He got just close enough to hear the conversation. Coach smiled. Instead of rushing out to start the extra workout, he opted to stay back, and let Greg work with the youngster. “An extra thirty minutes won’t hurt,” Coach thought to himself.

Jimmy was finally starting to get it, but the new follow through was a tough change to work in. “It is a game changer for you swimming,” Greg explained. “You keep working on that, I need to find out when Coach wants to get started.”

The two guys swam in side by side lanes for the next hour. Coach was really drilling Greg on his turns, especially his back to breast turn,. “Again,” seemed like the only word Jimmy was hearing the Coach say. At Greg’s level, every millisecond mattered, and Coach was certain Greg was losing too much time on his turns. By the time coach was done, Greg wanted to throw up, he had flipped and flipped and flipped so many times he was beyond dizzy. Every muscle hurt, and it was really time to get out of the tight, tiny swimsuit, even that part of him hurt from being smashed inside the slim cut Agon team swimsuit. Greg rubbed his crotch and tugged at the material. The momentary freedom felt great.

“Nice workout, Greg,” Coach said. “You are really working hard and it shows.”

“Thanks, coach.” Greg replied. With that he did his leap from the pool and turned to watch Jimmy swimming toward him.

“Great job, Jimmy,” Greg called out as Jimmy stopped at the wall. “You are following through so much better, and your reach looks amazing.”

“Thanks, “ Jimmy replied. “It is really hard, and it makes my arms hurt,” Jimmy added.

“You are doing good, kid.” Greg gave Jimmy a high five. “What ya say we go get a burger, my treat. Then hit the swim shop, I need some new stuff.”

“Awesome,” Jimmy replied, with way more excitement than he had ever shown before. “Hey, watch this,” Jimmy asked Greg. Greg turned and watched as Jimmy did a single hand leap out of the pool.

“Way cool, Jimmy,” Greg replied. He gave a Jimmy another high five. He had not paid close attention to Jimmy out of the pool, but this time, Greg noticed how much Jimmy’s muscular definition had changed. He was looking pretty athletic, Greg thought. In his red Speedo print, he looked every bit like a budding swimmer.

“I really appreciate all your help,” Jimmy said.

“Any time, Jimmy” Greg replied.

Part 7 continued
 

The two guys headed off in Greg‘s shiny Ford F150 pick up truck, Jimmy‘s bike in the back, to a local ice cream and burger stand near the pool . Greg gad changed into some fresh board shorts, going free inside them, and a yellow polo shirt. Jimmy still had on his swimsuit, the only thing he had worn to the pool, but Greg gave him a clean swim team T-shirt to wear.

“This place has great fries,” Greg said as they pulled into the Burger Boy stand. “And really good shakes.”

Jimmy eyed the crowded parking lot and all the people in line. For the first time, he felt awkward wearing just the red Speedo swimsuit. He confided in Greg his anxiety.

“You’re fine,” Greg assured him. “We just came from swimming.”

“Yeah, but..” Jimmy started to respond.

“I got your back….” Greg cut him off. “Let’s get some food. I’m starving…” If Greg had worn his swimsuit under his boardies, he would have shed the shorts so Jimmy did not feel so out of place. He did not have that option. Greg exited the masculine deep burgundy pick-up truck. Jimmy followed out the passenger side. His long T-shirt hung down over his suit, giving him the appearance of having nothing on under the shirt. The back was emblazoned with the words “Eat my wake.” The two young guys, especially Greg, quickly caught they eyes of a group of high school age girls wearing soccer uniforms. No one seemed to notice, or if they did, care that Jimmy was wearing just a shirt and swimsuit.

The guys ordered their burgers, two large orders of fries and two large chocolate shakes. They grabbed an open picnic table next to the cute soccer players, Greg and Jimmy sitting across from each other. Only when they sat did Jimmy’s red Speedo swimsuit become visible from under his T-shirt. While all the girls were checking Greg out more than Jimmy, the youngest girl at the table, more Jimmy’s age, took the road less traveled and eyed Jimmy up and down. It was still hot as blazes out, prompting Greg to shed his T-shirt, which clearly was exactly what the girls wanted. His strong swimmer’s chest reflected his years of swimming, as did the total lack of body hair. Jimmy followed Greg’s lead. Most of the guys were shirtless, but none of them had the muscular upper body Greg modeled, and few were even as well defined as Jimmy.

“Number 153” the loudspeaker blared.

“I’ll get it,” Greg said as he stood to retrieve the order. His board shorts hung low on his narrow waist, giving the girls a full display of his tight abs from the front, and his muscular back and shoulders from the back, not to mention his V line to the waist.

“He’s really cute,” Jimmy heard one of them say as Greg headed to the pick up window.

“Wish he was wearing a Speedo, too,” said another. They all giggled.

“I think his board shorts are cute,” added a third. The girls started a whole debate on which type of swimwear was the best looking. Board shorts won for most guys, but on hot looking guys, all the girls agreed “Speedos” were really cool. “Cool guys wear Speedos,” one of the girls said passionately. Jimmy liked the cool guys reference

“Are you on a swim team?” the youngest girl at the table finally shifted the conversation to include Jimmy.

“Not yet,” Jimmy said back. “But, I swim every day to get ready. We just got done,” Jimmy added.

“Does your friend swim, too? Another girl asked.

“Yeah, he is really good. He is on the Summer team,” Jimmy added.

“Does he wear Speedos, too” one of the girls blurted out, causing the whole table to giggle.

“When he swims, yeah,” Jimmy answered. The answer made the young ladies smile as their minds raced to picture Greg in just a tiny swimsuit, his muscular chest, abs and legs on full display in their minds. They each watched as Greg returned with the food.

They guys made small talk with the girls as they ate. Jimmy learned that the cute youngest girl was his same age and would also be starting school at the same high school as he. They traded phone numbers, his regular home phone and her cell phone. Her name was Abigail, but her friends call her Abby, she told him. She asked if she could take his picture, which he agreed to. It was the first time any girl had ever asked for his picture, let alone him wearing just a tiny swimsuit. Greg smiled at the attention Jimmy was getting from her. It was clearly more than just the lustful banter the other girls were giving Greg. Abby had even moved over to sit next to Jimmy at their table. By the time they finished lunch, Abby and Jimmy became friends on Facebook, thanks to Greg’s cell phone. Jimmy really wished he had shorts on, as his swimsuit was starting to show the excitement of his young male body, maybe showing a little too much. Abby noticed the tight fit, something she liked best about racing style guys swimsuits.

“She sure does like you,” Greg teased Jimmy. “Plus she is cute,” he added. Jimmy blushed.

“Yeah, she seems nice,” Jimmy replied. His swimsuit situation had not abated. He pulled his T-shirt down, covering as much as he could.

“Make sure you send her a nice note on Facebook,” Greg gave Jimmy some big brother advice.

“I will,” Jimmy replied. They chatted about girls as Greg drove towards the small downtown on their journey to the swimming shop. Jimmy was enjoying the big brother type talk he did not get as the only boy in his family. Sure, he talked to his father, but it was not the same, plus some questions he just did not ask dad, like the next one he tossed out to Greg.

“Can I ask you a personal question?” Jimmy queried Greg.

“Sure, kid, anytime,’ Greg replied.

“You got a really cute girlfriend and all,” Jimmy started, stalling at getting to the point.

“Thanks, Jimmy,” Greg replied. “She sure is.”

“Do you wear your swim team swimsuit around her?” Jimmy asked.

“Yeah, sure,” Greg replied. “I mean recently, she really prefers them over my boardies,” Greg replied. “Why?”

“Well, this is kind of weird, but you know, you ever get like… umm… “ Jimmy did not know how to finish the question.

“Just ask it, Jimmy, it’s okay,” Greg reassured Jimmy they could discuss anything.

“Well, you know, excited, I mean like you get a b…” Jimmy got it almost all the way out when Greg cut him off.

“Jimmy, it happens to all guys,” Greg answered. “The only problem is that those little swimsuits don’t give you any hope of hiding it,” Greg added. “Every guy who swims has had it happen at one point or another, but usually the pool takes care of it,” Greg paused. After a few seconds he added, “at the beach it is a whole different story,” he added.

“That sure would suck to have it happen at the beach, or eating lunch,” Jimmy added, confessing to Greg that he was getting that way when they were talking to Abby. “What do you do if it happens?’ Jimmy asked.

“Usually, I just roll over, or if I can, I go in the water.” Greg explained. He then shared some stories of when he had it happen at swim practice, at a swim meet, and on his last beach trip with Monique. Between the laughter and joking about the topic, the two guys exchanged questions and Greg played his big brother role well, giving Jimmy the wisdom of experience, at least whatever experience a 17 year old could give. And like any guy 17, the untimely bodily response was just part of growing up.

________

The guys left the swim shop loaded with new gear. Greg bought Jimmy two brand new swimsuits and a couple of pairs of goggles, along with some new stuff for himself. They guys bought matching swimsuits, one was a blue Nike print that Jimmy really liked and the other was a red and white print by Speedo that Greg could not live without. Greg also bought Jimmy his own swimming T-shirt. When all was said and done, Greg dropped $100 on his adopted younger brother. A huge sum in Jimmy’s eyes, while Greg never batted an eye. Jimmy just kep saying thanks. Greg really appreciated how grateful Jimmy was.

As Greg drove Jimmy to his home, the first time Greg would see the farm Jimmy lived on, Greg offered Jimmy a proposal he could not refuse.

“Hey, Jimmy, next weekend I have a big swim meet in Boston. Monique is coming up, my mom and dad will be there, and my host parents are going, also. You want to come?” Greg asked. “It’s the biggest meet of the season, lots of teams and some really good swimmers.”

“That would be so cool!” Jimmy exclaimed.

“You can ride down with my host parents, I am sure they won’t mind,” Greg added. “They are staying overnight, but I think they would let you stay with them. I can ask,” Jimmy worked out the logistics.

“I’ve never been to Boston,’ Jimmy said. “That would be so cool, and to get to see you swim…”

“Then it’s decided,” Greg replied.

The shiny F150 pulled into the dirt driveway of Jimmy’s farm. The old New England style farmhouse was in need of a paint job, as were the barns. Jimmy’s dad was on the tractor, just coming in from the fields. His mom was at work. Greg took it all in as they got out of the truck and he grabbed Jimmy’s bike from the back.

“Well, this is where I live,” Jimmy said.

“So cool, “ Greg replied. “I’ve never known a guy who lived on a real farm,” Greg explained.

“Let me get changed and I can show you around.” Jimmy offered.

“Awesome,” Greg accepted the invitation.

This time, Jimmy got to be the expert, with Greg the novice. Jimmy quickly returned, having pulled his cut off shorts over his swimsuit. He left the swim team T-shirt on. The two guys headed off to tour the farm. Jimmy leading the way.

You have outdone yourself
 

STS,

I think that part 7 is absolutely the best section of this story. You really captured the cementing of the relationship between Jimmy and Greg and portrayed so well Greg's selflessness in giving Jimmy instruction, knowing he had a hard workout with the coach ahead of him. We also see Jimmy developing more self confidence and a great trust in Greg by asking him questions that are sensitive and personal. Then we see Greg not batting an eyelash about answering Jimmy with empathy and reassurance. It truly has become the big brother/little brother relationship that we've seen evolving over time. It's not that these relationships are unique in storytelling; it's the way you develop the relationships of the characters through descriptive passages and dialogue that is just amazing. We guys on the forum get such a treat with your stories which is why we always wish for more.

Mark

Wow
 

Dooley67 you have it so correct. This story just continues to evolve and get better with every chapter. STS, this might be your best story to date. I'm loving and anxiously awaiting each new chapter. Keep up the Great work!!!

I agree! This is just a really nice story. I love the way the guys are bonding and their relationship is developing.

part 7
 

STS,

I agree with Dooley67(Mark), solar guy, and a speedo minded guy this story may be the your best story to date. I hope Jimmy has a good time at Greg's swim meet in Boston. I'm hopeful Jimmy gets on his high school swim team. Jimmy is becoming more confident in his new swimsuit. Greg even treated Jimmy to new swimwear on Gregs impromptu shopping spree. I thoroughly love this story STS, and I can't wait for the next chapter.

Brian

best....
 

Re. posts#3 and 37 even I am reading it :)

Part 8
 

While Jimmy did not have a cell phone, he did have an older laptop computer that he used mostly for school and surfing the internet. Despite the financial strains his family endured, his parents knew that access to the web was crucial to their children’s education, so mustered the money for internet each month. Jimmy logged onto Facebook to send Abby a note. As soon as his newsfeed came up, he saw the picture. There he was at the burger place in just his red Speedo. The caption under read, “Found this cutie at lunch, love his Speedo.” Jimmy blushed. She had tagged him, which meant the photo was announced to all of his other FB friends. He read all the comments, especially liking one from her friend Tanya that read “Abby, he is so cute, and he rocks that swimsuit really well. Looks like he likes you, too.” Jimmy didn’t connect that her last statement was a commentary on the rather bulging fit of his swimsuit.

Jimmy sent Abby a nice note and thanked her for her nice comment on his photo. He said he really liked talking to her and hoped they could see each other again. After, he checked his stash of savings from mowing Jack’s lawn. He had over $100 in a coffee can saved up. He knew he would need money to take her on a real date. Jimmy had never asked a girl out, his palms grew sweaty as he contemplated the process. To his surprise, he quickly got a note back from her saying she really liked him, too. She said she would love to see him again, maybe they could hang out at her house. She added that they have a swimming pool. “You can wear one of your swimming suits, like the one at lunch,” she added on the note. They two began an instant message exchange that ran late into the night and resulted in Jimmy having a fitful night of sleep. Dreams of Abby played in his mind. Jimmy was falling for his first girl.

-------

The two hour ride to Boston was amazing. Greg’s host parents were so nice and gracious. Greg has told them so much about Jimmy that they felt like the knew him all along. They checked into the Marriott Hotel at Copley Place, which totally blew Jimmy’s mind. The place was huge. They would not see Greg the night before his meet, his coach had the team sequestered for a controlled night leading up to the biggest event of the season. Paul, Greg’s host dad let Jimmy text Greg a note on Paul’s cell phone. Jimmy wished Greg luck and thanked Greg again for inviting him to the meet.

“Let’s hit the pool for a swim, then how about we walk down to Fenway and show Jimmy where the Red Sox play,” Paul said to his wife Buffy. Jimmy liked the idea. He scoped out the suite on the 19th floor of the hotel, a two bedroom executive accommodation with a fantastic view of the Charles River and Boston’s famed back bay district. “Let’s get changed into our swimsuits,” Paul suggested. Jimmy agreed and headed into his private bedroom.

Jimmy emerged wearing the red and white print Speedo race brief that Greg had bought him. It looked really neat, and it fit him well. Jimmy especially liked that it was the suit Greg bought him, his secret way of rooting for Greg. “Cool swimsuit,” said Paul, who was wearing short black nylon swim shorts with an exposed draw string. “you sure do look like the swimmer Greg said you are,” Paul added. Paul grabbed a Robe, Jimmy just pulled on his new swimming T-shirt, as the guys started to head out the door.

“You do look handsome in that swimsuit,” Buffy chimed in. She wasn’t going swimming, but she was going to watch them as she read a book poolside.

“You remind me of our son when he was your age,” Buffy added. The suit really did look amazing on Jimmy. The colors were bold and vibrant, and the red dyed drawstring hanging out created an interesting visual feature. “He really liked colorful swimsuits also, well he sill does” Buffy added.

“Thanks, Greg bought this for me, he has the same one,” Jimmy replied. Jimmy also thought Abby would really like the swimsuit. Maybe he could get a picture of him in it at the pool so he could send it to her, Jimmy thought. They had not yet been on a date, but they instant messaged of Facebook every day.

“Greg sent you a text message back,” Paul handed his cell phone to Jimmy as they rode the elevator to the pool floor.

“Thanks, Jimmy. I’m kind of nervous right now. Can’t wait for you to see the meet. I need you to cheer loud,” Greg wrote back. Jimmy smiled as he read it.

______

“This is a big meet for Greg,” Paul explained to Jimmy as the three rode the famed Boston Green Line to Boston University. Jimmy listened intently as he also took in the whole Boston experience. “If he does well, he is sure to get a college offer. He needs us to really pump him up.”

Jimmy was ready. He had on the swim team short Greg gave him, but he used a black Sharpie to write “Go Greg” on the back, right above the “Eat my wake” emblazoned across the back. Jimmy wore the shirt with a higher sense of pride. Greg was his hero, his mentor. They walked the few blocks from the T stop to the BU Aquatics facility. As they got closer, Jimmy was taking in all the other team shirts. There were at least six teams that he counted. Jimmy had on a new pair of shorts his mom bought him just for the trip, a pair of blue plaid shorts she picked up at the local Family Dollar. Under he secretly wore one of his swimsuits, his secret way of being a swimmer. He felt the tight suit under his shorts as they walked.

Inside the aquatics center it was packed. Every top level AAU team from the region was there. Outside, there were vendors selling everything from the latest swimwear to all the equipment a swimmer could want. At least a thousand fans were already in the seating. Hundreds of swimmers. The meet was actually spread between BU and nearby Northeastern University. The guys swam at BU, the ladies at Northeastern. Jimmy’s jaw dropped at how amazing the guy swimmers looked. They were so strong, had awesome bodies. Jimmy could tell that these guys were really good. “But Greg is still better,” Jimmy said to himself. The other thing that caught Jimmy was the swimsuit’s the guys had on. All of them were so small, so tight fitting. Jimmy never looked much at that part of a guy, but he could not help it. They all looked like they were barely packed in the little swimsuits.

Monique spotted Jimmy and called over to him. The events had not started, but many of the swimmers were doing warm up laps. Monique was sitting with Greg’s parents, but she saved three seats for Jimmy, Paul and Buffy. The two sets of parents had already met before, so they warmly hugged and shook hands, like long lost friends. Jimmy was welcomed warmly by Greg’s parents. Greg’s dad had Jimmy sit next to him, so he could talk swimming with the young man. They went over the schedule. Greg’s first event was up right at 8am, the 100 men’s fly first round. Top 4 go to round two. Safe bet was that Greg went to second round. Greg’s biggest event, the 400IM, was at the end of the day. All in, he had four events for the day, some with elimination rounds, so it was going to be a full, long day.

“There’s Greg,” Monique announced. Greg was walking into the pool area with the team. It was shortly after 7. Greg was smiling and looking confident. He saw his fans and waved. He then quickly headed over. He was wearing his team’s race swimsuit, an extremely tight and tiny Agon custom made suit. The sides were really narrow, looked hardly over an inch. The suits were colorful prints of black and gold that looked spectacular.

“Hey everyone,” Greg said as he approached, a big smile on his face. He gave his dad a high five and hugged his mom.

“You look confident,” dad said to his son.

“Yeah, I feel really good about this,” Greg replied as he grabbed Jimmy. “Hey, Jimmy, so glad you could come. Lots of really good swimmers here.” Greg said to Jimmy.

“No way I was going to miss this,” Jimmy replied, his eyes wide with admiration for his adopted big brother. “You’re the best swimmer here!” The two guys exchanged fist taps. Jimmy was almost as pumped up as Greg was. The excitement was palpable.

Greg turned to Monique. He grabbed her and gave her the tightest, longest, deepest hug Jimmy had ever seen. Greg held her close. “Cute swimsuit,” Monique whispered. The two had not seen each other in two weeks, and Greg was as excited to see Monique as he was to swim a great meet. Jimmy watched and wondered how Greg could hug her so long wearing just the tiny swimsuit. Just watching them was giving Jimmy a rise. Truth was, as Greg held her, he was also feeling himself respond to her soft touch, the smell of her hair, and the feel of her body. He swelled inside the swimsuit, not all the way but far enough to make the suit feel tight as is body pushed against the tight lycra material. He knew he should stop, but he so enjoyed the feel of her in his arms. Monique felt Greg responding, too. Just as he had told Jimmy, sometimes it just happens. And it was.

Part 8 continued
 

As Greg finally pulled away from Monique, he slipped his hand down in front of himself to conceal his enlarged bulge. He now felt a bit embarrassed at what his body had done. He hated the smashing feeling of the suit against his parts. In the small suit, he was barely able to stay contained in his present state. He pushed against himself with his hand to adjust the fit. Nothing a jump in the water would not quickly resolve, but first his mom asked for another hug. Greg awkwardly agreed.

“Good luck, Gregory,” his mom said. “We are so proud of you.”

“Thanks, mom,” Greg replied. His body started to ease. He gave Jimmy another fist tap and his dad a high five. No one but Monique picked up on the extra tight fit of his swimsuit. All of it was quickly behind him as Greg jumped in to the pool to do a few warm up laps. The meet was about to begin. His mind and his muscles were all focused on winning.

----

The 100 Fly first round of eight kicked off exactly on time. Greg was in lane four. His arch nemesis, Phillip, was in lane 5. A strong swimmer from Vermont was in lane three, one who on a good day could give any of the field a run. Greg’s strategy was to let Phillip swim his own race, he would be happy top two, even top 3. Save energy for the final round. Phillip was in a light and dark blue Nike racer brief, the kind with a back seam. Chauncey, the guy from Vermont was in a solid green brief that was almost as tiny as Greg’s. The rest of the field was an eclectic collection of colors and prints, all racers except for the guy in lane eight, who wore red print jammers. They were all great swimmers.

Jimmy sat on the edge of his seat as the swimmers mounted the blocks and readied for the start. Greg was intense, focused on the water, the race. He needed a great start and three great turns. The pool was 25 meters. Greg’s turns were his weak spot, his dives were strong, but his endurance and speed were nearly unrivaled. Jimmy watched as Greg rubbed his front, checked his strings, and bent to start. The gun signaled the start and Greg shot from the blocks. He hit the water perfectly. Jimmy was out of his seat, yelling as loud as he could. Chauncey had the best start and was a half body ahead, followed by Greg and then Phillip, but Greg was quickly closing the gap. The red jammer swimmer missed his dive and simply stood up in his lane and dropped out. Better to save his energy.

The fourth place swimmer, a guy named Vincent out of Bangor, Maine was quickly closing in on Phillip, who was either having an off day, or just laying back, the latter not his style. There were two races in the pool, Greg and Chauncey and Phillip trying to hold off Vincent. First turn, Greg hit the wall perfectly, a fast flip and solid push off. Chauncey lost a bit of edge on Greg’s strong turn. Jimmy saw it and knew.

“Perfect turn,” he said to Greg’s dad and Paul. “Awesome!”

“He’s doing great,” Paul added.

Knowing Phillip had faded fast, Greg stayed with Chauncey. On the third length Greg had the option to take the lead. He felt the urge to surge. He started to push, but his coach’s words rang in his head “save it for the final round.” Greg knew that if he hung just off Chauncey’s shoulder he’d wear Chauncey down. Pass him and Chauncey got to rest, they were far enough ahead of the third place swimmer. Greg opted to hold back. He teased Chauncey by staying in Chauncey’s peripheral vision. They hit the last turn one and two, close but Greg was easing back.

“What is he doing?” Jimmy asked Paul, confused.

“Being smart,” Paul replied as he explained he strategy to Jimmy.

Chauncey did not know where Greg was, so he pushed hard the final 25 meters. Greg was a full body back. They hit the wall, Chauncey solidly winning the heat, but he had expended way too much energy. Greg stood and reached to shake Chauncey’s hand. The contrast was clear, Greg breathing easy and calm, the Vermont swimmer gasping for air. Greg was in great shape for a solid win in the second round. Greg did his usual one hand leap from the pool. Monique zeroed in on the way his cute swimsuit hugged his body. He looked hot, extremely athletic, and very cute.

Jimmy cheered loudly. Monique joined him. Greg heard them both and looked over. He pulled his clinging swimsuit from his body. He waved to Monique and blew her a kiss. He gave Jimmy a thumbs up, pumping his arm. The two guys smiled. A great day still ahead.