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February 17th and 18th, 2006The Public school system is a curious beast. If a teacher is employed by a school district, and that district discovers that said teacher possesses some skill that can be exploited?then, exploited it will be. ?You were a cheerleader your sophomore year in high school? Great! You?re our new cheerleader coach.? ?You were in a play in eighth grade? Want to be the drama club sponsor?? ?You took two years of dance when you were nine and ten years old? Congratulations, you?re our new dance team sponsor.? Almost everyone gets an extra job. Most are not really qualified to perform those jobs. But, school just wouldn?t be school without all those important extracurricular activities.Mitch happened to be a swimmer in high school. He lived in a very small community. Mitch?s school had neither a pool, nor a swim team. Correction, it had a swim team?and the swim team consisted of one individual?Mitch.The town was close enough to a nearby, much larger community that did have a pool. Mitch had started swimming competitively with their Age Group club (comparable to ?little league? in other sports) when he was in the eighth grade. The next year, he started competing with their high school team when they attended swim meets. He represented his own school, but merely traveled with them when they went to various competitions around the state.He was not training for the Olympics or trying to set any world records. Nor was he a state champion or even a second or third-place finisher. He was merely a talented swimmer, who truly enjoyed it.Other than recreational swimming, Mitch hadn?t even thought about the sport since his last swim meet during his senior year. Like most high school athletes, as soon as his high school career was over, he hung up his speedo and goggles and never looked back. That is, he had not thought much about swimming until one day in the spring of 2005.In May of that year, Mitch was having a casual conversation with his building?s principal. At some point during that conversation, Mitch happened to mention being a swimmer in high school. As soon as the words were out of his mouth, the principal?s eyebrows raised and Mitch knew he had said something wrong.?A swimmer, huh?? the principal asked.?That?s right,? Mitch replied with hesitation.?Coach Hicks just told me the other day that he?s leaving at the end of the year,? the principal continued. ?How?d you like to be the new swim coach??Mitch?s mind whirled. That was a big question to be asked out of nowhere. He told the principal he needed a day or two to consider it. Ultimately, he decided that he had only been at the school for a couple of years?meaning they could still get rid of him for pretty much any reason if they really wanted to. So, he accepted his fate, and the coaching position.Mitch?s first year as swim coach had been quite daunting. There had been numerous headaches. First, he had to get his lifeguard certification. He also discovered that some people who join the swim team barely even know how to swim. With at least two girls, he virtually had to teach them every aspect of swimming (to his surprise, they both continued to make a lot of progress throughout the year). There were all kinds of forms that had to be filled out, paperwork that had to be done, buses that had to be scheduled for the away trips, fundraisers, and on and on.It hadn?t been all bad though. Since he was the swim coach, he had unrestricted access to the school pool. He?d spent many evenings swimming laps after practice. He?d lost quite a bit of the weight he?d put on since high school and he could see a noticeable difference in his upper body physique.So, there he was. Mitch and his team had finally made it to the state swim meet?meaning that he had made it through his first season as the head swim coach. Only four of his boys had qualified for the state meet, so he had driven them in one of the school?s Suburbans.As they entered the enormous athletic complex, Mitch smelled the chlorine instantly. The aroma of chlorine always had an invigorating effect on him. As soon as he sniffed it in the air, adrenaline started pumping through his body, he just felt more awake?more alive.?Let?s get fired up, guys,? he said to his four swimmers, ?today?s your day. This is what you?ve been working towards all season.? He helped his boys find the locker room and told them he would meet them by the pool.Thirty minutes later, he and the boys had found the correct warmup lane and Mitch was lost in thought as his swimmers took their practice laps. There were dozens of other swimmers in the pool and the rhythmic sound of hundreds of arms stroking through the water nearly mesmerized him.He hadn?t been in this facility since February of his senior Ankara bayan escort (http://ankaratavsiye.com/) year. He remembered that day. He?d made the finals in the fifty-yard freestyle?his best event. He?d finished seventh, meaning he?d only beaten one person to the wall. His coach had reminded him that this meant he was still the seventh fastest swimmer in the state, but it had still felt like a loss to Mitch.?Hey there, you look familiar!? a friendly female voice said just to his right, snapping him out of his memories.Mitch turned towards the speaker. He knew he recognized the voice, but he had not heard it in many years. His eyes searched and then he found her. ?Gayla!? he shouted in greeting. He burst into a huge grin. ?I can?t believe it?s you! What are you doing here???Oh, I?m the girls? swim coach at Woolfield now,? she explained. ?I?m just here with our six girls,? she pointed towards the fifth lane, indicating where her girls were warming up. ?A better question might be, what are you doing here??Mitch shrugged and explained. ?The old coach retired at the end of last year and I stupidly mentioned to the principal that I used to be a swimmer?so, here I am.??Got any good swimmers?? Gayla asked politely.?A few,? Mitch acknowledged. ?One is swimming the butterfly today, another the breaststroke, and we?ve got a pretty fast freestyler too. The fourth is just here for their relay.?They chatted for a few more minutes, basically just making small talk. Then, what seemed like too soon for Mitch, the whistle blew, signaling everyone should be out of the pool. He said goodbye to Gayla and they went their separate ways, each corralling their own group of swimmers.As she walked away, Mitch couldn?t help but glance at Gayla?s ass. Yep, she?s still a babe, Mitch thought to himself.Mitch had known Gayla since the summer before his eighth-grade year in 1990. His parents had encouraged him to start swimming with the Age Group swim club that summer. Gayla was the assistant swim coach. At the time, she?d been right around thirty years old, and her oldest daughter, eight-year-old Meagan, was also a swimmer.Gayla had a waifish figure, yet, not too thin that it detracted from her appearance. In truth, all the male swimmers had a thing for her. Many summer practices had been spent taking peeks at her legs or her bare shoulders. She also had a warm, cheery personality that brightened any day.Mitch and Gayla knew each other throughout his high school career. They always got along really well together and, by the time Mitch was a senior, their banter before and after practice could have been described as one step shy of flirtatious. Of course, since high school, he had completely lost track of her and she rarely crossed his mind.?Hey coach,? Mitch heard one of his swimmers say.He tore his eyes away from Gayla?s departing posterior and forced himself to focus his attention on the task at hand. ?Let?s go find a spot to camp out, it?ll be a while before your events.?The first day of the meet went off without a hitch. All three of his individual swimmers qualified to swim the next day, and the relay did as well. Mitch was very proud of his boys and took them out to dinner that evening. They ate a good meal and had fun joking with each other. Mitch realized this was one of the reasons he had become a teacher. It was one of the rare moments when he?d been able to spend quality time with these kids and really get to know them. They had a blast.After dinner, the small group found their hotel and checked in. The school had paid for three rooms, with two boys a piece in two of the rooms, while Mitch had a room for himself. They made their way to the hotel?s third floor and Mitch helped his boys locate their rooms. His own room was down the hall. He opened the door, entered the room, and collapsed on the bed. Until that exact moment, he hadn?t realized just how long of a day it had been. They?d left home at six o?clock that morning and he felt like he hadn?t stopped to breathe since then. He checked the small alarm clock next to the bed. It was now nine o?clock.Mitch took off his shoes, untucked, and then unbuttoned his long-sleeve button-up shirt. It was the type of shirt he always wore to any school-related function, even coaching. He just couldn?t bring himself to wear a ?coaches polo?.He turned on the television and tried to relax a bit, flipping channels as rapidly as he could. He stretched out, trying to get a kink out of his back. He tried to find a comfortable spot, piling pillows up behind him and leaning against the headboard in a reclining position. After about thirty minutes, he threw the television remote onto the bed in frustration. Despite his exhaustion from the day, he was restless. Escort bayan Ankara (http://ankaratavsiye.com/) He needed to get up. He needed to move. He needed to go somewhere. He was thirsty.He decided to walk down to the lobby. He?d noticed a pop machine down there. If nothing else, it gave him something to do. He put his shoes back on, buttoned his shirt back up and tucked it in. A moment later, he was in the elevator and on his way down.When the elevator door opened, Mitch stepped out into the lobby and spotted the pop machine he had seen earlier. He was just getting ready to insert his money into the slot when he happened to glance through a window just to his left. He realized he was looking into the hotel restaurant, and there, sitting at a table by herself, was Gayla.* (Author?s note: remember when every single hotel had a restaurant? That was just like, a standard thing? they ALL had them? this one still did? like some sort of weird hotel that had been lost in time and somehow never had its restaurant taken out, shut down, or converted into an exercise room).He subconsciously put his money back in his pocket and, before he lost his nerve completely, took five quick steps across the lobby and forced himself into the restaurant. She instantly saw him and waved with a grin.Mitch approached her table. ?Waiting for someone?? he asked, pointing to the empty chair on the other side.?Not at all,? she admitted, ?please, sit with me. That way I won?t feel so awkward. I hate eating alone,? she added, as Mitch pulled the chair away and sat down.?I guess you?re staying in this hotel too?? Mitch inquired.?Yeah, third floor,? she replied.?Really? Small world, that?s where we are too,? Mitch answered. ?Must be where they stuck all the swimmers.?A waiter approached their table and took orders. Mitch was still full from the big dinner he?d had with his swimmers, but he still ordered a small sandwich, just so it would seem less odd.?So, Woolfield?? Mitch said as the waiter left them alone again. ?How?d you end up there? Are you teaching? Or just working with the swim team??She took a sip from her glass of water as if considering how to answer. ?Well,? she started, ?I got my degree and my teaching certificate a few years ago. I?d been working on it for years, just taking a class here or there, when I could.? She paused for a moment and took another sip of water. ?Even though I was certified, I still wasn?t really planning on teaching. I just wanted it, you know, in case I needed to fall back on something.?Mitch nodded, encouraging her to continue. He could sense that she was preparing to broach a difficult subject, but he wasn?t sure what.Gayla clasped her hands in front of her, an uncharacteristic, melancholy expression on her face. ?Then, suddenly, one day, I needed to fall back on it.? She gave Mitch a wry smile. ?Last spring I found out my husband had been cheating on me and we got a divorce.?Mitch frowned. ?He was cheating? On you? His loss. That dude needs to have his head examined,? he quipped.Gayla laughed, a big full laugh. ?His hot little secretary,? she explained as she shook her head. ?I know, that sounds so cliché, but?? she trailed off, and took another sip of water.Mitch took his own sip out of the Dr. Pepper the waiter had just brought him. He suddenly felt slightly immature, slurping from a straw, sitting at a table with a woman eighteen years his elder. He nervously pulled the straw out of the glass and placed it on the table.?So, I packed up my stuff and moved out. I started applying at schools and got hired in Woolfield. They were needing a girls swim coach too, so I volunteered. You know how it is, I figured it would help me keep the job.?Mitch nodded, completely understanding how she felt. They sat for a moment, not speaking. She seemed to be studying Mitch intently. The only sounds were those coming from the kitchen. Dishes being clinked around. Running water. Chatter between the waiters and busboys. Mitch observed that they were the only customers in the restaurant. It would probably close at ten o?clock, in just a few minutes.A moment later, their food arrived. As she glanced down at her sandwich, Gayla commented, ?Ugh, I really need this. I haven?t eaten at all today. It?s just been go, go, go since early this morning.?Mitch agreed with that sentiment as he inspected his own sandwich. He removed the pickles and onions before picking it up to take a bite.They ate their meal quickly because the restaurant staff was doing their best to indicate that their presence was no longer welcome. However, as they continued to eat, their conversation moved on to more pleasant topics. Mitch was able to make her laugh several times and Gayla really seemed to relax.They Bayan escort Ankara (http://ankaratavsiye.com/) were making good conversation when their waiter brought them their checks. ?I will be your cashier when you?re ready,? he said brusquely.Gayla giggled. ?I think they want us to leave,? she commented.?Me too,? Mitch agreed, as he subtly picked up both checks. He took out his wallet and pulled out enough cash to pay for both meals, plus a generous tip.Gayla was caught off guard. ?Oh, thank you, Mitch, but really, you don?t have to do that,? she stated.Mitch smiled. ?I know, but I want to,? he answered.They parted the restaurant together, still chatting away, catching up on old times and filling each other in on what they?d been doing the past eleven years. They rode up the elevator to the third floor and began walking down the hall. They reached Gayla?s room first. She stopped at the door, her hand resting on the knob. Yet, they kept talking. It was such a natural, easy conversation. They were both enjoying it. Neither wanted it to end.?You want to come in for a while?? Gayla finally asked. Her voice sounded shaky as she asked the question. She removed her card-key from the pocket of her jeans and inserted it into the slot. The lock clicked and she pushed the door open.Mitch hesitated for only a moment. His knees trembling as much as Gayla?s voice. ?Sure,? he responded quickly. His breathing suddenly became short, his mouth dry. He stepped through the door as she closed it behind him.Now that Mitch was actually in Gayla?s hotel room, he had no idea what to do. Where do they go from here? What?s the next step? Where should he sit down? What should they talk about? Just a moment ago, we were having great conversation, but now? His mind was a total blank.Gayla stepped into the bathroom for just a moment and Mitch gingerly sat down on a chair in the corner, perched on the edge of the seat, as if it was something he wasn?t supposed to sit on. When Gayla reemerged, she had removed her earlier outfit and now looked much more comfortable in a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.When she saw Mitch, she chuckled. ?That chair?s not going to bite, you know. Relax a little bit.?Mitch realized how much tension he really was feeling and attempted to at least make himself look less nervous than he felt.?Where are your girls?? Mitch asked. As soon as he said it, it sounded like a stupid question. ?I mean, your swimmers? Are they nearby??Gayla pointed towards the headboard of her bed. ?Two are in this room right next door,? she explained. ?The other four are further off down the hall.? She paused for a moment as if searching for a topic of conversation. ?So, tell me,? she finally said, sitting down on the edge of her bed just across from Mitch, ?what?s Amanda up to these days?? As she asked the question, she crossed her legs, sitting Indian-style, tucking her bare feet up under her thighs.?Amanda?? Mitch replied as if he had never heard the name. He knew exactly who she was talking about, of course. ?You might know better than I do,? he admitted. ?Last I heard, she was a doctor and still trying to compete in triathlons.?Gayla nodded, ?That?s the last I?ve heard too.?Mitch was suddenly struck by a question that had been plaguing him for years. ?Can I ask a question?? he blurted out.Gayla smiled, a little mischievously. ?Mitch, you can ask me anything you want.?Emboldened by her reply, Mitch plowed ahead. ?When you were our assistant swim coach, what else did you do? I mean, did you have another job? During the day? Me and the other guys, we always wondered about that.??You and the other guys, huh?? she said with a grin. ?Well, if you must know, I was just a teller at a bank.??Hmmm, that?s interesting,? Mitch replied awkwardly.?You seem disappointed,? Gayla responded with a giggle. ?Expecting something more adventurous???The guys and I? we always thought maybe you were a model or something.?Gayla laughed again.* ?A model? Teeth, hands, or feet? Those might be my most photogenic attributes.??No, I mean, like a swimsuit model,? Mitch heard himself say.?So, you thought I was a swimsuit model?? Gayla joked, stretching out her legs and striking a seductive, yet humorous pose on the bed.*?I could see you in a swimsuit magazie?? Mitch started, and then stopped, instantly realizing how that sounded. ?I mean, you?d look good in a swimsuit?? he abruptly stopped again. ?Ugh, that sounds worse. What I mean is??Gayla broke out into a fit of laughter and held up her hands. ?Don?t worry about it, I know what you mean,? she said, smiling.Mitch felt his face turn beet red and leaned back against the chair. His back was still tense. He realized that it wasn?t from the situation, but instead, it was the same pain he had felt earlier that evening in his own room. The grimace on his face must have given him away.?You feeling okay?? Gayla asked.?Oh, it?s just my back,? Mitch explained. ?It?s been bothering me all evening.?Their conversation continued and both of them continued to unwind, and relax, as they grew more accustomed to each other?s presence.