"That's it, sweetie, kick your legs. Â You got it, see?"
"Mommy, don't let go!""Mommy's right here."Shraley had a firm, but gentle grip on Falran's arm, keeping the five-year-old above the water. Â Though, unbeknownst to the boy, it was mostly his doing. Â She snickered at the mild look of concern on his face, but kept her hand on him."Sweetie, I'm going to let go now, but my hand will be right there if you need it, okay?"Falran whimpered, but nodded, keeping his chubby legs going. Â Ever so slowly, Shraley uncurled her fingers from Falran's arm. Â Immediately, Falran's legs started kicking more fervently."Falran, you're doing it!" she praised with a smile. Â "Look at you! Â Gilrod, look at what your son can do!"Gilrod looked up from where he sat on the bank of the river, fiddling with a trap. Â His eyes lingered fondly on his wife, but soon shifted to where the five-year-old splashed sloppily in the water."Well, done, son!" he called. Â He set down the trap and crawled to the river's edge. Â "Can you swim to Daddy?"Gilrod held out his hands to his son, giving him a beaming smile. Â Falran tried to twist himself to face his father, and succeeded with minimal help from Shraley. Â He grinned, then sputtered when a splash of water entered his mouth. Â The concerned look crossed his face again, but he set his little jaw in determination and began to paddle his arms with all his strength.He completely ignored Shraley when she let him leave the safety net of her reach. Â Gilrod kept his eyes on Falran, not wanting to spook the boy into finding out his mother was no longer right beside him."Good job, Falran," he said. Â "You're almost there!"Falran struggled, fatigue reaching his arms. Â He gave a tiny whimper. Â "Mommy, I can't do it."When she did not answer, he twisted his head around and noticed she was a ways off. Â Immediately his arms faltered. Â Water swooped up over his head as his little body began to sink."Mommy!" he cried before going under. Â He flailed about in the water, unsure of which way was up. Â He kept his mouth clenched shut, refusing to let any water in to seal his fate.After what seemed to the five-year-old child like an eternity, he felt a pair of strong hands grip around his waist. Â He flew upward into the safe arms of his father, who held him close. Â Falran snuggled into the man's now soaking chest, wrapping his little arms around Gilrod's thick neck.Gilrod let out a tender chuckle, knowing the boy was perfectly safe the entire time. Â Shraley soon joined them, giving Falran a kiss on his cheek."Look how far you swam dear, and all on your own!" she praised. Â Falran glanced at her, at where the two of them had been practicing, then finally at where they were standing now, a mere arm's length from the shore."I did that all by myself?" he asked, in awe."All by yourself," Gilrod confirmed. Â "I'm so proud of my boy."