I ran errands back and forth to the kitchen, getting clean platters, condiments, utensils and other sundries as needed. Mom mostly sat near the pool, making sure nothing got out of hand.

As I came out with the relish from the fridge Kelsey came running up. "Aly!"

"Hey, sis, having fun?"

"Yeah, it's great." She looked back over at the pool and twisted her foot. "Just, um..."

I smiled at her. "Which one is he?"

She grinned shyly and pointed to a young man playing water basketball with several others. "Devin, there."

The brown-haired head went up strong and dunked the ball through the little plastic rim, revealing a lean,...