Twenty-Five
Tuesday, March 23, 11:02 A.M. CST
Bailey’s Key
When Thomas arrived at RIMS, Gilberto greeted him as if no time had passed. In fact, judging by the old dolphin trainer’s appearance, nothing had changed. Gilberto looked more or less the same as he had thirteen years ago. A bit heavier, perhaps, and his limp seemed more pronounced. He’d had polio as a child which left an indelible impression on Thomas’s determination to educate his patients and their parents on the merits of vaccination.
Gilberto insisted on taking Thomas over to Bailey’s Key himself. At the helm of the boat, he turned to Thomas and smiled. “Did Eva tell you the good news? She just ran the test. I don’t want to ruin the surprise.”
Thomas didn’t know how to reply—this was awkward. “I know,” he said tersely.
“
