Page 53 of The Spotted Cottage By the Sea
This was not one of those times. He was inches from her face. His sterling gaze, the intoxicating scent of his cologne. The cozy warmth of the house…
He leaned forward, ever so slightly, and she realized he was about to kiss her.
Sheila sucked in a sharp breath and stepped back. “I better get going,” she announced a bit too loudly. “I can have this back to you in a few days.”
He cleared his throat. “Sure. Of course. Thank you again. I really appreciate it.”
Her feet had taken her to the doorway of the office. “I think we’re going to show Patty the tea shop tomorrow. Do a big debut. Do you want to stop by?”
He scratched his head. “I wish I could, but I can’t.”
“Have a good day then!” she said, scooting into the hallway, walking away as fast as her legs could carry her.
Twenty-three
“Are you sure it doesn’t sound too threatening?”
Eliza shook her head. “No way, Mom. If anything, it’s not threatening enough. You barely make demands. It’s more like you’re pleading.”
Her mom leaned over her shoulder, re-reading the text on the laptop screen. “I just want them to see my side of it. Lottie’s side of it.”
Eliza knew that was unlikely, but she admired her mom for trying. She always did the right thing, even if it seemed hopeless.
“Let me read over it one more time before you hit send,” she said.
Dear owners of Marine Magic Funland,
In the summer of 1982, my father accidentally caught a young orca whale in his fishing net. He kept the little whale in a cove, and I took many pictures of her using my Polaroid camera (please see pictures attached to this email and note the freckle on her chin).
I was nine years old. My favorite band was the Go-Go’s, and I named her Lottie, after Charlotte Rafferty.
Lottie was gentle and inquisitive, whistling and clicking at me when I came to visit her. I spent days at the edge of the sea marveling at her, and she spent those days staring back at me. Her mother stayed nearby as well, refusing to leave, crying the most heartbreaking song
We were not a wealthy family. My father sold Lottie for a small sum and we never spoke of it again.
Lottie’s capture has haunted me all my life. Just recently, I discovered she was still alive and living in your park. I also learned Lottie is a member of an endangered group of whales called the southern resident killer whales. They are salmon-eating whales who live in the waters off Seattle and Puget Sound.
No one else knew about Lottie’s capture. I spoke to an orca researcher and confirmed the identity of Lottie’s mother. It is believed she is still alive.
There is a team of orca researchers, veterinarians, and behaviorists who are ready to retire Lottie into a sea pen. She would be able to swim in her home waters again, and her family will be able to welcome her back.
Please note, I am not a researcher nor associated with the team in any way. I have nothing to gain from Lottie being released, except to clear my conscience. Believe me, it is heavy.
Lottie has faithfully performed for the last four decades. Please consider my request.
Sincerely,
S.
“Are you ready to send it?” Eliza asked.
“Are yousurethey can’t track it?”
Eliza cocked her head to the side. “Do you really think I don’t know how to use a VPN and set up a simple burner email?”
Her mom stared at her blankly. “Uh…no?”
“I’m going to hit send.”
