Swim Team

Bree and her family are moving from New York City to Florida. Bree’s father, Ralph, gives her a new Rubik’s-cube-like puzzle to solve. She’s determined to finish it.

They’re moving because Ralph got into a technology training program, though he’ll work two jobs. While they drive, Ralph explains the butterfly effect, pointing out that small changes can have big effects that might be felt across the world. He adds that it can happen with people too. Their conversation seemingly spans states as the illustration notes how they pass through New Jersey and South Carolina.

Upon arriving in Florida, they go to a diner, and Ralph emphasizes the importance of education to Bree, saying that friends will come later. They notice a lot of references to swimming in the diner, from items on the menu to conversations between other customers.

Bree is nervous about the move, but she tries to focus on things she enjoys, like doing her homework with her father, cooking, and going to the library. Sometimes, however, she feels anxiety and begins to doubt herself, forcing her to think about things she dislikes. These include sports, pools, and not having friends.

While they move into their new apartment, Bree meets Etta, an older woman who lives upstairs. They talk about their shared love of puzzles, and while Etta goes on and on, Clara comes in to interrupt the conversation, introducing herself to Bree. They realize that they go to the same school.

On the first day of school, Bree is ecstatic. She quickly runs into Clara, who gives her a tour. She offers to help Clara with math and then goes to the office, where she signs up for an elective. However, the Math Puzzles class she wants to take is full; the only one open is Swim 101. At fourth period, she goes to class but is nervous about admitting that she doesn’t know how to swim. She also learns that the school district wants to sell the pool and that the school is named for Enith Brigitha, the first Black woman to win an Olympic medal in swimming.

After the first class, one of Clara’s friends, Humberto, comes over to Bree, having seen how nervous she is. He reassures her that everyone passes the class, but he makes a joke about drowning. Bree blames herself for not knowing how to swim. At home, she reports that Math Puzzles was full. Her dad points out that learning how to swim can be useful.

In the morning, Bree’s dark thought bubbles contain nervous thoughts about swimming, but Bree remains determined that it will be a good day. While in the locker room, the nervous thoughts return, emphasizing her concerns about the class. She goes out to the pool without changing, and she notices that the other students look so comfortable in the pool. She tells the coach that she doesn’t feel well, and he sends her to the nurse’s office. On the way, her anxiety overwhelms her, and she runs into the biggest thought yet: “You’ll spend your whole life coming up with excuses to avoid the water” (29). However, realizing that she has the rest of the class period free, she feels better.