"Any of that soup left?"

Doris Kerns Quinn

The best things about visiting Mother's friend, Betty, were the cats, the beach, and the clam chowder! Jessica loved cats, but cats weren't allowed in their apartment in the city, so it was a treat to see Malt, Ramsey, and Sherlock now and then. Especially Malt, a big beautiful tabby who always purred when Jessica petted him.

When Betty drove them to the beach, that was best of all. It was nice to see trees and flowers and ocean and sand. And Betty had promised to teach Jessica to swim.

On this visit Jessica thought it was time to learn. She was nine years old, and most of the kids in her class already could swim. It was a hot July day with not a cloud in the sky. The ocean was trying to out-blue the sky, but it was calm, with little waves rippling in. Jessica was glad; that was better for swimming.

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