Elena did not hesitate for even a single second as the cold water churned wildly.
She dove straight over the side of the pool without removing her shoes or dress.
The water closed over her head as she kicked frantically down toward the blue plastic carrier.
Her heart pounded like a heavy drum inside her chest while her lungs burned for air.
She reached the plastic handle and pulled the heavy frame toward her wet chest beneath the surface.
Her fingers fumbled frantically with the safety harness clip that held the blanket secure.
With a hard squeeze, the plastic buckle released and freed her small crying baby boy.
Elena kicked her legs hard against the pool floor and burst up through the blue surface.
She lifted the little boy high above her shoulders into the warm Texas air above.
The baby let out a loud, healthy cough and began to cry with all his lungs.
"My baby!" Elena gasped as she pulled herself onto the wet stone edge of the patio.
She hugged the shivering infant close against her chest as water pooled around her dress.
Sarah stood by the giant marble columns with a cold and totally blank stare on her face.
She did not reach out a hand to help the soaking mother pull herself out of the water.
Instead, Sarah straightened her designer outfit and tried to pretend nothing dramatic had happened at all.
Elena held her baby tight while checking his tiny arms and small hands for any signs of injury.
He was scared and cold, but his breathing was strong and loud under the bright sun.
Footsteps echoed loudly from inside the main hallway through the open glass doors.
Mark burst out onto the patio in his sharp dark business suit with total concern on his face.
He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw his dripping wife kneeling on the wet patio.