Page 2 of Churn

Her mother rolled up in her wheelchair with a teasing smile. “Are you giving all your hugs to your favorite, or did you save one for me, so I feel wanted?”

Grandpops let go of Ryan and bent down to kiss her mother on the cheek, pulling her into the hug she had shamelessly guilted him into. Lawrence stood back, watching with an amused smile. When he finally had a chance to step forward, he shook Grandpops’ hand and pulled him into one of those side hugs men seemed to specialize in.

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the restaurant. Her mother had made reservations, so they were seated right away. As always, Ryan’s family teased her about ordering the same thing every time they came, but she didn’t care. She knew what she liked, and she wasn’t about to change it.

They laughed and talked throughout dinner, the conversation flowing easily. Ryan fielded questions about college, and when the attention lingered too long on school, she deftly redirected by asking Lawrence about his research. He gave her a knowing wink, aware she was trying to shift the focus, though not quite sure of the exact reason why.

“I cleaned my plate,” she announced proudly, flashing a grin at her grandpops, daring him to tease her again.

“So you did, young lady,” he said, glancing theatrically around the room. “Now where did it go?” He gestured to the chair beside him where the box sat in plain sight, pretending he had no idea where it had disappeared to.

Ryan sat patiently, waiting for his humor to play out, a smile tugging at her lips. She loved him so much it made her heart ache.

Finally, he handed over the gift. “This is from all three of us,” he said warmly.

Ryan turned to her mother. “You knew he was coming tonight, didn’t you?”

Kate grinned. “I have no shame,” she admitted with a twinkle in her eye.

Ryan looked down at the box, her fingers itching to dive in. “Can I rip the wrapping paper, or should I act demure like a proper sixteen-year-old?” she asked, raising an eyebrow at her grandpops.

“If you don’t tear into it, I’ll do it for you,” he teased.

With that, she shredded the paper in one giant rip and lifted the lid. Inside was a stunning new wetsuit, its colors swirling like the ocean itself. Her breath caught, and for a moment, she could only stare.

“It’s beautiful,” she exclaimed, as she fingered the neoprene and shook her head in wonder.

“The best gift is underneath,” Grandpops said.

She lifted the suit out and found a large envelope with her name written in script. She opened it and pulled out a card. She looked up. “No way would car keys fit in this,” she said with a huge grin. Her mother had asked her if she wanted a car, and she had joyfully declined. She was happy taking the bus and using the transit system in college. She would get a car if she had to after she graduated.

The adults laughed and waited for her to open the final gift.

“You have been selected for the marine biology trip of a lifetime,” the card began. “On March 30, 2024, you’ll join Dr. Graham Stirling from the Pacific Horizon Research Institute aboard theQueen Velvetfor a two-week voyage of discovery. As one of the brightest talents in your field of study, this journey will push your skills and knowledge from the moment you step aboard. You will receive a packet in the mail a month before launch. It’s important you read, sign, and bring the notarized agreement with you. Welcome to the crew.” It was hand signed by Dr. Graham Stirling.

Her eyes locked on the name: Graham Stirling. She read it again, her mind struggling to believe what she saw. Thiscouldn’t be real. Finally, she looked up, her voice barely above a whisper. “How?” she asked. His annual voyage was reserved for graduating students. She had dreamed of this for years, but always imagined it was still far off and worried she’d never be accepted at all.

“Your Grandpops pulled some strings,” her mother said with a smile. “And we pitched in to cover the fee.”

Ryan’s hands trembled as the reality sank in. She was going to meethim. Her secret crush. In person. Her face burned, and before she could stop herself, she shot up from her seat, running around the table to hug and thank each of them, her excitement spilling out in words of love and gratitude. This was a dream come true and the best birthday ever.

Part III

Six months later

Pacific Horizon Research Institute

Kendra Ellison’s eyes lit up as she watched the screen, excitement bubbling as she realized what she was seeing. Two male great white sharks, JX-170 and NX-642, were swimming together again after a two-year separation. They had been tagged five years earlier, spotted off the San Francisco coast just weeks apart. Kendra had been part of the tagging teams for both sharks, an experience she still considered one of the highlights of her budding career. They were large for males, and not the younger juveniles they were accustomed to. JX was actually their largest male on record.

For three years, the great whites had traveled the Pacific Ocean together eventually parting ways. Now, the pair had reunited, their sleek bodies cutting through the water side by side, or so the blips read. It was a moment that left her in awe, a reminder of the ocean’s mysteries and the bonds that even its most formidable creatures could form.

So far, these friendships had only been observed in male great whites. Female relationships remained an enigma, and even the dynamics among males were only partially understood. The sharks appeared to hunt together, but much more research was needed to unravel the full complexity of their interactions.

Kendra was proud to be part of Dr. Stirling’s exploration of the unique relationships between sharks. It was groundbreaking and innovative. She was living her dream and the sighting of these two sharks reconnecting would push their research forward.

Were they friends, family? Was there a further bond science didn’t understand?

Kendra’s cell phone chirped, pulling her from her thoughts.

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