Summer in the band

[SwimTeamSpeedo]

The flight from Geneva landed in Boston ten minutes early. The Boeing 767 charter flight taxied to the gate. In the window of the gate hung a giant home made “welcome home” sign. It had been a quiet flight, most of the deep friendships formed over the eight weeks would fade away. Patrick and Alex had tears in their eyes. Grant never told what happened with the three girls, but he felt like he had fallen in love. Len sat with Chris on the flight home, a reflection of the friendship they had formed out of near disaster.

“Thanks for being a true friend,” Len said as the plane taxied into the gate.

“All is good, Man,” Chris replied.

“And thanks fro letting me dual solo with you in the farewell concert.” Len added.

“They shook hands and stood to exit the plane.

The most amazing trip of their lives was over, but they all had grown up in so many ways. They would never forget.

_________________________________________

Epilogue:

“Swim into the wall strong and then flip and push back, don’t slow down” Chris offered the advise to a teen swimmer back in his hometown in Northern Maine. Sherie and he broke up after two years the trip. He returned home to run the family farm and was the coach of his former swim team. He was a legend still around these parts. His collection of swimsuits now numbered 176, including his favorite Aztec print Speedo. Annie, his wife, chucked each time a new package of swimsuits arrived in the mail. She enjoyed watching him model each ne purchase, and still teased him just as she did under the bleachers many years before.

Patrick and Alex lived just outside of Richmond, VA. They remained soul mates since the trip to Europe, eventually getting married when the laws finally changed. They still wore matching swimsuits and Alex even started swimming for fitness and eventually grew into triathlons. Patrick was his biggest fan. They remained friends with Chris, spending Summer weeks up on the lake in Maine.

Grant faded away and was never heard from again.

Len was still single, very much an out gay man. He lived a venturous life exploring different parts of the world. He still loved jammers, although he would occasionally wear a brief cut suit in honor of Chris. They remained friends, Chris always marveling at Len’s adventures.

Most of the rest of the band had long faded into the sunset.