South

The southern part of the city has a chic family-oriented sort of charm to it. Here, small locally owned shops run rampant, neighbors often know each other by name, and the monthly socials are an event not to be missed. In the South, children can often be seen safely playing in the park or on sidewalks and in the weekends, families often take to the beach to enjoy the warm waters surrounding the city.

What You'll Find Here

Ascension Center of Equitation
Hyde Park
Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
The Outskirts
The University of Sacrosanct

been searching in the dark, your sweat soaking through the floor


Posted on July 04, 2019 by ashton doss
South



As Ashton slipped into the water and pulled the kickboard near the surface, he listened to Nadya admit that she hadn't told the children that they were going swimming today. He made an "Ah ha!" face and then offered a smile as he looked to Micah and Izzy who didn't look too thrilled that they were here in the pool. "That's quite alright. We'll go slow for them." He remembered what it was like to be a child and be afraid of horses. Living on a farm, horses were a fact of life. If took many bribes and surprise encounters before he was able to brush a horse without crying. After much socialization with horses, he is now able to ride and care for them and even enjoy their company. It would just take time, time he was willing to give the children. Rome wasn't built in a day, they say.

He watched as Nadya brought the children closer to the edge of the pool. Izzy seemed a little more confident than her brother when it came to the water, but Ashton was sure that Micah would come around. It might take Izzy taking the first steps in order for him to see that the water could be a fun place to be instead of something to be feared.

As Izzy sat down, dangling her feet in the water, Ashton offered her a smile. "Good job, Izzy. See? The water feels good on your feet." He offered her another reassuring smile as he looked up to see Micah clinging to Nadya's leg. At her question about the small kickboard, he offered a light chuckle. "I left my surfboard at home. This is called a kickboard. We will use this one today. Maybe another day I'll bring the surfboard." Perhaps if he made a promise to bring out the big board, she might agree to come to a swimming lesson again.

Ashton watched quietly as Nadya came to sit along the poolside with Micah in tow, both putting their feet in the water. "Good job Micah! You're being so brave." Encouragement was what these children needed. They needed to know that every little step was a step in the right direction and everything they did was good. He looked back to Izzy. "Alright, Izzy. Can you show your brother that you can splash me with your feet? Kick hard in the water and see if you can get me all wet." This would hopefully teach the children that the water would not hurt them and that it could be somewhat fun. He hoped to hear lots of laughter and he hoped that Izzy might encourage her brother to join in so they could compete to see who could get him the wettest. He looked to Nadya with a soft glance, a warning that she too might get splashed on.



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