“Come on, it’s not that deep on this side.”

Leon’s voice is gentle and reassuring as you stand on the edge of the pool, nerves ablaze at the sight of the clear blue water that seems to go down forever. He senses your anxieties, and while he knows he can’t do much, he’s determined to help you learn to swim. He holds out a hand, droplets of water rolling down his skin as he helps you move to a sitting position with only your feet in the water.

“There you go,” he nods reassuringly, “Just take it slow, I’ve got you.”