Chapter 23
The next day, while sitting in the break room, Gray struck up a conversation with Daniel. "Did you know about the six-day workweek before you got here?"
Daniel smiled, "Of course I did! Who in their right mind would hire someone and not tell them something like that beforehand?" The room erupted in laughter.
"No, I get it," Gray said, smiling. "It's just so different from what I'm used to."
"It is different," Marta chimed in, "but I feel like I have more control over my schedule and my animals by being here six days a week."
"Exactly," Daniel added. "Because I care for my dolphins, I know they have everything they need," he said.
Gray had learned that when the trainers got a day off, so did the dolphins. Another trainer would handle the basics, feeding and playing with them, but they didn't do any formal work.
"I can see that," Gray said. "I'm appreciating the flow of the day."
As he reflected on his time here, Gray realized that despite the six-day workweek, they had plenty of downtime.
He recalled his first few days when Cam had told him, "Slow down!
Everything will get done in due time." He'd heard about island time before—why do today what you could do tomorrow, next week, or even next month.
It was hard not to jump in or over someone else to get the job done, and in those initial days it made him think they took it to the extreme.
Now, though, he understood what Cam meant.
There was time to make plans and set goals for each animal.
Time to sit and discuss with the other trainers what they wanted to work on, and even using island time as their measurement, everything always got done.
It didn't matter when the work was completed as long as the dolphins received good care and the guests were happy.
He also enjoyed the spontaneous outings, when the staff would decide to get lunch in town or take an extended break.
His favourite was when they'd take a "walk" out to the ocean with the dolphins, lazing around on one of the tiny islands offshore, the dolphins swimming nearby as the trainers glided alongside them with masks and fins.
His biggest surprise was when the trainers suggested going fishing, with the dolphins' help. They'd catch fish, and later in the afternoon, there'd be a feast, a fish fry right at the Lagoon.
But Gray had a more serious question on his mind. "I know we've got a sweet schedule here, and there's lots of downtime, but aren't we in hurricane territory? I mean, what happens when a hurricane comes?"
Marta nodded. "That's what's interesting about this island.
It's been about 20 years since a hurricane hit us.
Sure, plenty have come close, and every time you hear on the news, 'A hurricane hits landfall in the Caribbean!
' But what people don't realize is that there are hundreds of islands here.
So, okay, it hit the Caribbean, but which island?
Every hurricane season, there's always a bit of panic, wondering if this will be the one that hits us. But we've been really lucky."
"I did not know there were so many islands. And I didn't realize it's been so long since a hurricane had hit this island."
"Yeah, it's wild," Marta continued. "We always prepare, but most of the time, it cruises by and hits somewhere else. Knock on wood, this season will be uneventful." At this, Marta knocked on the wooden staff table.
Gray nodded. "I've had a lot of firsts on this island, but I could definitely do without experiencing a hurricane or tropical storm. Earthquakes back home were plenty enough for me in the natural disasters department."
"Well, you don't need to worry about that right now.
Hurricane season doesn't start for a few more months.
Good thing your permit got approved when it did, or you might experience one this year.
" At this, Marta patted Gray's arm and left for afternoon sessions with her dolphins.
As she left Gray pondered that if he stayed longer, then hurricane season would be a real thing.
But he put that out of his mind for now.
Tomorrow was his day off, and Riley had asked him if he wanted to spend it with her, and he of course said yes!
She wouldn't say what she had planned, but any chance to spend more time with her sounded good.