The sun baked the backyard. Bauti splashed in the pool. His friends laughed around him.
Tristan dove deep. He did not come back up. "Tristan!" Bauti called. No answer.
Bauti grabbed the pool noodle and reached out. Bruno ran for help. No adult came.
Bauti pulled Tristan to the edge. He remembered something from story time. He put his hands on Tristan's chest and pressed.
Press. Press. Press. Bruno watched, wide-eyed. Bauti pressed harder, his arms shaking.
Press. Press. Press. Bauti did not stop. He kept going until his arms ached.
Tristan sputtered. Water squirted from his nose. He coughed, then laughed. Bauti collapsed onto the tiles.
Tristan wrapped an arm around Bauti and squeezed. Everyone cheered. The sun began to set.
Bauti leaned against his friend. The pool sparkled gold around them. He was happy. He was tired.
The other children splashed and jumped in the water. Laughter filled the backyard. Bauti closed his eyes and smiled.