Turtle Toad and Romeo

When we arrived at the secret swim spot a tiny turtle was swimming in the water a toad hopped in the nearby grass. We found a stick for Romeo and threw it in the water. Romeo jumped in and swam out after it and kept swimming. We called him and he swam along the edge gulping water and choking as he was unable to come ashore. We ran through the brush calling him as we tried to catch up to him. He turned away in the water and swam again heading towards the opposite shore. At this point we were in the other secret swim spot. I took off my hat and jumped in wearing my clothes, shoes, and sunglasses. I swam while yelling Romeo Romeo and I swam all the way across the pond, ten feet behind him. I was frantic and I could hear my voice getting weak. I was determined to stop and catch my breath. Panic is not good, try to be calm, I thought to myself. I stood waist high in the pond and I could see Bill standing on the opposite side. Romeo was still swimming up stream. I caught my breath and headed back across without yelling. Bill waved his white hat so Romeo could see him. Romeo swam towards Bill and was parallel to me and we both came ashore together.