The Last Day of August

It was the last day of August. Tobias and his little sister sat by the lake. The water was warm and quiet.

“This is our last swim,” Tobias said. “Tomorrow is September. Tomorrow we go back to school.”

His little sister looked at the water. “I don't want September,” she said.

“I know,” said Tobias. “But the lake will be here next year. And we will come back.”

They went in for one more swim. They swam to the old rock and back, like every summer. The sun was low and gold.

After the swim, they sat on the warm stones. “Watch the lake,” Tobias said. “Look at it now, so you remember it in winter.”

His sister watched the water for a long time. “Okay,” she said. “I'm going to remember this one.”

The next day, they were back at school. But when Tobias closed his eyes, he still saw the gold lake. He remembered it all winter.