Chapter 9 - Friends
Josh bounds back down the trail
from the house; he has traded wet shorts, wet tee shirt, numb toes and sandals
for long pants, warm hiking boots, and a windbreaker. He half walks half
sprints down the gangplank. Loose dock boards flop up and down announcing his
return.
“Do you think they have some sort of friendship?” says Maggie.
“Maybe,” says Sammie, “but I’m inclined to think they are more like
little kids and are just interested in playing with each other.”
“Does anyone see my stick?” is the first thing Josh says when he gets
back to the slip. Has Pepper moved or
done anything?”
“It’s right there,” says Sammie pointing behind a raised brace, Charley
said you would want it when you get back.”
Josh retrieves his hiking staff and sits cross-legged next to Sadie; Sammie
sits on the other side and leans into Josh.
“Hi Pepper”, says Josh, picking up his one-way conversation. “Did you
miss me? How’s the back? Any new pain? Have you got to know Sadie? She led us
to you and your mom.” Josh raps the dock
gently, hitting the stick where Pepper sees it.
“I don’t want to scare you.” He bangs the stick hard two times, then
bangs it two more times. Next, he
reaches out, and gently rubs the end of the stick on her back in front of her dorsal
fin. Then, he switches to hard scratching the area he knows she enjoys. Pepper whistles her new whistle. Sadie whimpers.
“Listen to her,” exclaims Sammie, “this is so cool, she loves it.”
“I hope she likes it, because if this bothers her, she should be about
ready to flip out. Sorry Pepper, I didn’t mean to make a flipper joke.” Josh
taps Pepper a few times, and then hands the stick to Sammie. When Sammie touches her, Pepper flinches and
strokes her fin as if to swim away.
“Whoa there Pepper, I’m your friend too.” Says Sammie, she lifts the
stick and hands it back to Josh. “I
guess she was watching, and only trusts you.”
“Well I’ve got enough pictures,” says Maggie, “I’m going to catch up with
Charley and head for the house, this is enough excitement for today. See you
later Sammie, say Hi to your folks for me.”
“Okay, I will Maggie, and thanks for sending Josh with the smores, I know
that was your idea.”
Sammie turns to Josh, he has
resumed rubbing and caressing Pepper, but then he lays the stick on the dock
and fishes out of his pocket a package of graham crackers, and a Hershey bar, Sammie
takes the bar, opens it and hands Josh a section of chocolate, she gives Sadie
a cracker. They contemplate the killer whale in front of them; momma hasn’t
been seen since they moved Pepper over to the dock. Pepper has made no effort to leave the cradle,
her breathing is slow, and calm, almost relaxing, as if she is catnapping. Her blue eye is open, her green eye is closed
but neither indicates she’s awake or asleep.
Sadie yawns and half yelps aloud that she is bored. With her head on her paws, she dozes.
