Dawn and I stand in the water up to our waist, trying to remain cool on a hot, sunny Friday afternoon. Riley laughs, slapping the water around her pool float. Occasionally, we push her back and forth between us.

“I have a personal problem,” I blurt, unsure how to bring up this topic.

“Do tell,” Dawn encourages.

“I shaved my bikini area,” I begin. “Now, it’s growing back in, and it itches something fierce.”

Dawn’s deep belly laugh elicits a snort. ...