Page 76 of Mail Order Splash
“Things backfire sometimes. That’s why you don’t pull shady stuff.” She replied.
“You’ve been saying that since I was little and you’re not wrong.”
“When will Kellan be back?”
“He says he can come back on Thursday. Let’s hope nothing else happens before that.” I looked back toward Kleine.
“I assure you he is on it already. He hates shady more than me and loves winning against these types.”
“Kleine is not doing well. This is emotionally hard on her. I can’t fix this.”
“Just be by her side. She needs that more than she knows.” She disconnected.
“You good, boss?” Charlie sat next to me. “Man, that’s tough, it’s so little. Why pick on any of them, much less the baby one?”
“They didn’t name it,” I mumbled. “It should have a name.”
“What do you wanna name it, Dalton?” Charlie asked. “I was thinking Warrior.”
“Good choice. Scrapper sounded cute to me.”
“I like that better. It fits his size.” Charlie closed his eyes. “I hate to see the little guy hurt like that. Makes me wanna find the aggressor.”
“I hope we do find out, then watch them go to jail.”
“Agreed. I’m going to order some lunch.”
“Kleine, we’re getting some food. What will you eat?”
“I’m not hungry. Get what appeals to the majority.”
“Promise me you’ll eat it. I have to go to the office for one meeting, then I can be back.”
“You might as well work. All we can do is watch and wait and treat symptoms.”
“Netty wants to get to him.” I ran a hand down the little guy’s back. “Body temperature feels good.”
“You’re a quick learner.” She splashed water on his back and face.
“I have a good teacher.” I sat next to her, rubbing the little one’s back. “How old is he?”
“No more than six months. See the one down there that won’t stop making noise? That has to be the mother.”
“Can we let her see him?”
“I’m afraid, like Netty, she will be too aggressive, but we have to do it. Can you lower the sling?”
The mother swam closer until her snout rested on the little one. It responded with a faded sound a couple of times, then nothing. The mother nudged it again, one click. This continued for a few minutes until the mother swam away.
“She’s very stressed. Keep the sling this low so she can visit again.”
“Charlie and Bobby will stay here to make sure no intruders get in. The city may try to get in to fine you for all of these dolphins, but we have Kellan on our side. It won’t be for long.”
“You think they’ll come around?”
“You were on the news, tiktok, Instagram, you name it. They will be around for one last ditch effort.” I backed away from the water.
“Dalton, tell your aunt to pick everything. I don’t need to and I won’t be leaving here anytime soon.”