Vacation

"We're always the first ones up," Pete said.
"Shhh. Don't wake mom and dad," Steve answered.
The boys left the cabin and headed down the steep hill to the lake.
"Last one in is a doofus," Steve said, jumping in. "Whoa, it's cold, it's freezing!"
He swam around for a few minutes trying to get warm. "I won, I jumped in first."
"You always win," Pete said.
"But you always beat me at chess," Steve said.
"I don't feel like swimming," Pete said.
"You have to, c'mon. You're my buddy." Steve said. "Remember the buddy system?"
"I can be your buddy from here," Pete said.
"Not if I swim way out, then you have to come in," Steve said.
Steve swam out until his head was the size of an apple. "C'mon Pete you have to. The New Hampshire pond monster is grabbing me by the ankles," Steve yelled, flailing his arms and legs, bobbing up and down.
"Come back," Pete yelled. "Stop teasing!"
Steve swam a bit more, then stopped.
"No, Pete, go get dad, I'm serious. I have a cramp," Steve shouted, coughing.
Pete ran up the hill to the cabin. His dad was at the kitchen table reading the New York Times and drinking coffee.
"Dad, Steve swam out and needs help. Hurry!" Pete said.
Bob got up and shouted into the bathroom. The shower was running. "Irene I'm going down to the lake with Pete, Steve's in trouble."
"What?" She yelled.
Bob ran out and grabbed the big yellow inflated raft leaning against the cabin. He and Pete ran down the hill. The water was clear, flat, and motionless.
"Where'd he go? He was right there," Pete said pointing to the right. "He was way out. I bet he's gone to the island."
Irene came down, her short wet hair sticking up.
"I'll take the raft out," said Bob. "Irene, you and Pete drive around to the opposite side. You know the way, Mill Creek Road.
"Bob . . ?" Irene asked.
"Later, Irene, we have to hurry." Pete was already running up the hill.
"Oh God." His mom gasped, racing to keep up with him. They jumped into the blue station wagon, Irene at the wheel, and drove over to Mill Creek Road.
"Slow down here where we can catch a view of the island," Pete said. They were both peering through the green leafy trees hunting for people-shapes. "I think I see him, stop the car!"
Irene turned off the engine. Pete and Irene both got out.
"Where?"
"Over there," Pete said pointing.
"I don't see him," she said.
"Over there, straight across on the island. See that spot of red moving? That's Steve's bathing suit. And there's dad and the yellow raft," Pete said.
"I see them!" she said.
They watched Steve get on the raft. Bob swam beside Steve, slowly tugging towards the opposite shore.
"Oh God," she said again. "I'm shaking like a leaf."
"Me too," Pete said.