Chapter 35 Alligator Speak #2
Setting a package on the island long before dawn, I grab a thermos of coffee and move to Eleanor. She feels my shift and is antsy and whiny as I harness her and ready her leash.
There are too many things pressing in from all sides.
The cult is the loudest in my mind, but the quietest on radar.
The raided men have surely managed to post bond all over the country after this much time.
The local app developers send threatening texts, but we can’t prove it.
And my father… My fucking father acts as if we’re inconveniencing him by not bowing to his whims. Even after the audit and all Ayla discovered, he acts as if he’s an innocent, put-upon victim.
Nothing in my gut says not to go, but, man, my heart and head are at war.
I’m trusting Sariah. Trusting her when she said I should go with Ayla. Trusting them to be smart when I’m nervous as a fucking jackrabbit.
I double check all the doors and verify the alarm system is set before sliding back down the hall and watching a peaceful Sariah sleep soundly.
I can do this. I head to my truck in the dark of night wondering when Beaver Brook got so far away.
My sister and Ren Gallo, who’s acting security for Ayla, arrive just after I do.
Franklin bounds out of the car window, lead and all, when he sees Eleanor and me at the mouth of the path.
He’s smart, but has so much energy that needs to be focused into a job.
A Belgian Malinois left bored and untrained is disastrous.
And, somehow, I promised a lifetime of dog sitting. Maybe I’m too nice to my sister.
Eventually, the lead is wrapped around both back legs as if he were roped at a rodeo. Even that doesn’t dampen his energy or drive as he attempts to wrestle Eleanor from his disadvantaged position.
“Franklin, come here.” He turns for Ayla, but only manages to tangle himself further.
“This should be interesting.” Ren extends a hand to me which I shake.
“At least he can burn some energy.”
“Does anything tire a Malinois?”
“At this age? I doubt it.”
Ayla arrives at our huddle after untangling the mass of limbs and chords from the dog who snaps his jaws in a silent alligator speak.
“He’s perfect,” my sister says. “Aren’t you my little dude?”
At her voice, Eleanor wags her tail, fighting to keep her seat as she stares at Ayla, whimpering, until I clear my throat.
My sister leans in, rubbing my dog behind the ears and down her neck. “One day, he’ll be almost as good as you, my sweet girl.”
“My girl.”
“Oh, here we go,” she says as headlights wash the parking area in quick succession.
Ayla’s two apprentices alight, throwing on packs full of gear and meeting us in our huddle.
I don’t know how I’ve never met Ashlyn or Javier. It’s sad to say, but with all that swirled around my sister and now everything churning around Sariah and me, I’m suspicious.
Ren doesn’t seem to be, and he’s a good judge of character, and since Christian’s not worried, nor is Ayla, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. But I’m still going last.
Ren allows the two employees to go first, putting himself between them and Ayla, while I bring up the rear.
My sister is strong and bold as brass, but her fall last autumn left an indelible mark on everyone around her.
I wonder if she’ll ever not be in the middle of the pack again when the men surrounding her can help it.
She talks as we go. She likes nature and isn’t opposed to the wild animals that wander the mountains being in her shots, but she prefers landscapes more than wildlife, so spooking them off our trail doesn’t bother her. “So, how’s Sariah? How’s Renée? Are we going to do Casa Bonita on Sunday?”
“I haven’t asked yet. I have the reservation though. I can’t imagine she’ll say no.”
“I hope she doesn’t. Watching Liam at Casa again after all these years is bucket list for me.”
“Somehow I can’t picture him there.” I laugh under my breath.
“I can. And for you and for Renée, you know he will.”
“For sure. It’s just watching him raise the flag after all this time will be a trip.”
“Are you going to invite Mom?” Her tone is tentative when she asks.
“Not this time. I’m torn, but it’s about Renée, not me. She’ll know everyone there but Christian. Now that I think about it, him raising the flag might be funnier than Liam.”
“Truer words, Ci… Have your camera ready.”
“You’re the photographer.”
“Fine, I’ll be ready.” She pauses to untangle herself from Franklin’s leash.
“Good. Get as many shots as you can. This is one for the ages.”
We hike on in silence. Not for the first time does it dawn on me how dangerous my sister’s profession is. She was up here in the dark, well before dawn. And it’s got to be nearly an hour’s hike from the parking area.
“I’m glad you have Franklin.” It’s earnest, and I hope she gets it.
“Me too. He’s a good addition.”
By the time we’ve hit the ridge, I’m sweating and enjoying the feel of my muscles burning. I strip off the fleece and allow the breeze to cool my overheated flesh.
I spend more than a few minutes in awe of my sister as she shows her interns how to find what it is they seek from this moment. Where some instructors would explain how to see what he or she deems the right light or the right shot, Ayla asks each what they seek, how they want to capture it.
In essence, two cameras may have the same view but an utterly different image. She’s incredible, and I stand in awe, not just of her talent, but how she communicates it and lets Javier and Ashlyn own their individual takes on what lies before them. What a gift to see her mind and how it works.
Especially when it’s not about accounting.
My thoughts travel over the last year but settle in the last five or six weeks. Lifting my cell, I see no bars of cell signal. No data service available. I want so badly not to be out of range. I fight the antsy feeling like little needles marching across my skin.
It’s too much. I want time with my sister and in this place, it feels full circle. This is where she fell. This is where she lost her memory.
I couldn’t protect her that day. She doesn’t need my protection now.
Ayla meanders away from the photographers to find me more than contemplative on a rock in the shade, Eleanor not far from my side. Unlike Franklin, who is sound asleep on his side, my dog sits relaxed in a ray of sunshine just out of reach.
“Ci,” my sister says. “Get with your girl.”
“So, now she’s my girl?” I tease. Not that it’s a question.
Soon she’ll be our girl but that will be Sariah and Renée and I as a family.
On that thought, I’m ready to be done, but I’ll take a moment with Eleanor first. I slip from my rock and slide to my ass next to her.
Ayla says her name loud enough to call her attention before talking to us both like with skittish chipmunks messing up her shots.
She finally turns the phone screen to me and shows me what she’s done. How she manages to capture what’s there and make it worth seeing is beyond me. My photos never look anything like what her unedited ones do.
When Ayla is satisfied with her time here, we leave her protégés and head down the trail. Ren leads, while I have Ayla’s six.
I’m glad she’s been back, faced those demons head on, and won’t let the location or the event scare her. After so many months her biggest fears can be trying to avoid toppling as Franklin winds her legs in his lead or eats her expensive shoes.
She needs that peace. I need that peace too. Knowing she’s okay. And my family being okay.
Halfway to the truck, my phone dances with vibration in my pocket. Fear grips me, but I push it down.
Angel: Good morning, handsome. Much prefer waking up in your arms.
Angel: Renée insisted on opening your gift though I’d hoped she’d wait until you were here. She loves the new phone. You spoiled her. We still need to set it up.
Angel: Breakfast pancakes were perfect. I dropped Née off at school. Tell Ayla thanks for lending me her sweet ride until we can get mine back. Can we do that today?
Me: Morning, Angel. Almost down the mountain. I’ll call when I’m in the car. Sounds like a great morning, except the waking up alone part.
I get a thumbs up quickly and I exhale. We’re going to be okay.