Sarah swam fast through the bright blue water, reaching down deep to grab Toby around his small chest. She kicked hard against the bottom of the pool and pulled the unconscious boy up to the surface. Water splashed everywhere as Sarah broke through the surface, coughing and gasping for breath while holding Toby's head above the water level. She kicked her way toward the shallow end where Clara was still desperately fighting to free herself from Richard's tight hold.
Seeing her son surface, Clara pulled away with a burst of motherly strength, shoving Richard back hard against the concrete pillar. She dropped down to her knees right on the slippery tile floor, extending her trembling hands out over the edge of the pool.
Clara: Give him to me! Bring him here, Sarah!
Sarah: I have him! Grab his arms fast!
Clara: Come back to me sweetheart! Mommy is here! Wake up baby!
Sarah: Lift him up onto the dry ground!
Clara grabbed Toby under his arms and pulled his heavy, wet body onto the pool deck. The boy was completely limp, his pale skin wet and cold to the touch. Clara frantically turned him onto his side and began slapping his back firmly, weeping uncontrollably as she pressed her ear against his small chest. For three terrifying seconds, no sound came from the child's lips, and the entire back yard remained completely still. Then, Toby suddenly coughed up a large amount of pool water, taking a ragged, shivering breath as he began to cry loudly.
Clara wrapped her arms around her son, holding his wet head tight against her shoulder while sobbing with deep relief. She rocked him back and forth on the hard tile, whispering soothing words into his ear while Sarah climbed out of the pool beside them, her dress dripping wet and heavy.
Clara: You are safe now baby. Mommy has got you. You are okay.
Toby: Mommy... it was dark... he pushed me in...
Clara: I know sweetheart. I know. You are safe now.
Sarah: Stay right there with him, Clara. I am handling this right now.
Sarah stood up, wiping wet hair out of her eyes as her face twisted with furious anger. She turned around to face Richard, who was calmly adjusting the gold cufflinks on his suit jacket as if nothing major had just occurred. He looked down at the soaked boy with utter disgust, completely unfazed by the near tragedy he had caused in front of everyone.