Chapter 3 #2
Without warning, my muscles lock. They’re refusing to continue with this insanity. Forcing me down, regardless of whether I choose to stop.
Good.
I collapse a few feet from the sea. A sweet release with no control. No responsibility. Waves wash over me and then retreat, repeating the motion again and again. Stretching my arms across the cool sand, I ignore the tears running down my face. They’ll blend in with my sweat.
Finally. My breathing slows, and I let go.
It’s time to see her again.
Sleep takes over.
I toss my wetsuit into the soak bucket and grab the labeled Whirl-Pak bags sitting in the cockpit to put them in the box on deck.
We’ve just finished a recon dive and have been cataloging samples for the past hour.
We’re running behind and need to get the skiff back to shore.
The field log will have to wait. Shoot. I misplaced the iron samples. “Can you hand me…”
“It’s break time!”
Playful laughter rings out through the air, followed by a loud splash.
I glance up to see her swimming away at a breakneck pace. She’s already about seven meters away.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I take off my shirt to join her. Hesitating, I open my mouth to call her name. But I realize I don’t know it. “Get back on the boat. We’ve still got a ton of work left to do, and we’re already running late.”
“Hey, I’m the boss this time—remember? You told me so.”
“We’ve got to head back to the dock. We’re about to lose daylight. Come on.”
She’s got to be close to fifteen meters away now. Her bright silver-blonde hair looks darker when it’s wet and lies flat against her head. Still, I can see her blue eyes from here. Shining. I know her face.
“Relax, sailor. I can see you fidgeting from here. I promise we’ll get our work done.”
“Well, boss—my other boss won’t be pleased if I miss ETR. There’s already no chance I’ll get the field log in today.”
“Since we’re already late. We’ll just be a little later, right? Fifteen minutes?”
“So, you’re gonna make me come get you?”
I’m speaking to her back. She’s ignoring me. Damn it. I turn around to retrieve the anchor when I notice movement in the water. Heading toward her.
A dorsal fin.
“Come back!”
“What is it?” Her back is still turned to me.
Panicked, I jump in. The fin is circling her now, getting closer with each pass. “Stay still! You need to stay still!” She turns back to me with a confused look.
More fins. At least six. Oh my God.
I swim harder.
What the…?
A small gray head pops out of the surface and whistles.
Well, shoot. Dolphins.
Slowing my strokes, I watch as the dolphin who first approached swims to her side and hovers. She bobs up and down in the water, prompting the dolphin to mimic her. Like a dutiful student, it follows her lead.
I stiffen when it nudges her with its rostrum.
“Don’t worry,” she calls out, giggling when it bumps her shoulder as it swims by again. “They’re gentle.” She strokes its skin.
Another one jumps into the air and swims up beside her. A young bull rolls to his side, exposing a flipper.
“Okay, little guy. Can you tell me your name?”
Chirps.
“Michael. That’s a nice name…” The dolphin jumps. “What’s that? I see. You want to play?”
More chirps.
“Let’s play, then.” She stretches out her arms.
Both dolphins rush off and then circle back, approaching her from behind.
As they pass, she gently grasps the bottom of both of their fins, and they pull forward, taking her for a ride in large circles.
I stop swimming and watch. She continues to talk to them as they make soft clicks and whistles in response. I want so badly to remember her name.
Something brushes past me. I turn to see two fins circling behind me.
“Hey there. Me too?” That’s cool.
Stretching my arms, I catch on as they glide by and gently hold on to their soft, slick fins. Ready to let go if they get spooked, I let myself enjoy the ride.
Now we’re both gliding through the ocean, carried by these intelligent creatures. I’m having so much fun, I forget—I don’t know who I am.
It’s only a few more minutes before the dolphins get bored and swim off. Leaving us in their wake.
“Wow, has that ever happened?” I ask.
She’s grinning from ear to ear, and I can see the scarlet blush on the skin of her neck and cheeks. “I know. Wow! No, I don’t think so. Not in the wild. I think that’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime thing for us. I’m still shaking.” She lets herself laugh. So carefree. So beautiful.
We’re only a few feet away, and I can see the beads of water on her face, the soft curve of her sweet mouth. Those eyes that match the sky.
My blood is rushing through my veins when we swim up to each other. There are no words. As if she can see my thoughts and wants the same thing, she eases closer. There’s nothing in my life I’ve wanted as much as to touch her.
She’s not yours.
Yes. She is.
I pull her into me and kiss her.
Combing her fingers through my hair, she exhales a soft puff of air. A jolt of electricity shoots through my lungs, bursting through my chest. I deepen the kiss. She tastes of sun, salt, and honey.
When we finally break apart, our gazes meet.
In an instant, all joy evaporates. “I’m dreaming, aren’t I?”
“Yes. But this is real.” She pulls me back into the kiss.
And I believe her. Please stay. When I open my eyes, she’s staring at me.
She’s still here. Her large pupils are pebbles in the sea of her irises.
She blinks and moves her eyes toward the boat.
I follow her gaze and see a calm ocean. No boat.
But there’s something else out there. I sense it. Deep below the surface.
When I turn back, she’s gone.
No.
Like clockwork, this wakes me up.
With effort, I open my eyes. Blinking at the light, I glance at my watch—it’s 7:20.
Slowly, I stand and brush off some of the sand that’s matted into my clothes and legs.
A passerby on his morning run looks in my direction with concern.
I wave to reassure him I’m fine and harmless, then walk back to the motel.
She always comes back to me, and she always leaves.
And I’ve got to be at my next job by nine a.m.