Page 8 of Sharkbait
He doesn’t join me in the laughter, but for better or for worse, I do sense his mood improving now that he’s resumed his perceived power over me.
“There are plenty of places the volunteers never go,” he sayswith a conspiratorial lean in my direction. “Bet you didn’t know that, did you, Louis Armstrong?”
He straightens, and I watch his chest puff out. Just like his penguin friends.
“I did not know that.” It’s a lie. I totally knew that.
“Well, today you get to see it all, lady.”
“Very coooooool,” I say and find that I actually mean it. Because I truly am excited to see the corners of the aquarium I’ve yet to experience. “Let’s do it.”
Brendan nods to the blinking light on the pad next to the door. “Alrighty then. Let’s see if your badgey badge is working.”
I lift it to the pad, and the door unlatches. He holds it open for me.
“Up we go, madam.”
We stomp up the long flight of stairs and reach an open area with rubber flooring and large pools. I can’t help it. A big cheesy grin spreads on my face as I take in all the various aquarists busy with their morning tasks.
“This is where the team has access to feed and care for the sharks and rays,” he explains.
To our left, a woman gives me a small salute as she preps a small raft for a feeding. I wave back.
“This is also where our divers access the tanks to do maintenance and cleaning.”
Brendan points to the right, where a suited-up diver is securing his mask and goggles.
Something about him grabs my attention.
His build.
The way he moves.
It all feels… familiar.
Goggle guy grabs a small brush and an algae scraper in one gloved hand and gives us a “hand symbol” sign with the other, then disappears under the water.
Weird.
“This smaller tank over here is off exhibit,” Brendan continues, like nothing out of the ordinary just happened. “Mostly used for rehabbing injured animals. If you follow me through this hallhere, you’ll find…”
But I don’t hear the rest of what he says.
Because my attention is captured by the gorgeous California Sea Lion in the rehab tank.
Her nose is pressed against the glass.
Her gaze is fixed on me, and I can’t take my eyes off her.
For some reason, the moment I see her, it feels like coming home.
The skin on my face softens.
My shoulder blades slide down my back.
A warmth grows in my chest.
My breathing steadies.
