Melandra Durand stood nervously outside the Treme Community Center, twisting the end of her long head scarf between her sweating palms.
“Just go in now,” she said to herself. “Don’t you be standing out here on the street for everybody to gawk at.”
Her eyes slid over the beautiful building with its shining glass windows and painted mural. A mother with three little ones passed her on the sidewalk. The littlest was already in her bathing suit, a lifejacket gripped in one pudgy fist.
She seemed confused as to why Melandra wouldn’t want to go in such a wonderful place.
Because I’m not here for a swim in the Olympic pool, baby, she thought.
Because I’m not here for a swim in the Olympic pool, babyStill, those credulous eyes were enough to spur Melandra forward.
With a deep breath, she sta
