Althena Book 2

34. Dolphins

The alarm goes off and I jump up. "SWIM TIME."

Cyrus shuts off his phone and rubs his eyes. "It's 1:20. Wake Lila up and get ready. Remember to wash everything off and no lotions."

"Ok." I run to her room. "TAKE A SHOWER. NO LOTION."

She dives out of bed straight into the bathroom, then slams the door.

I run to my room and do the same thing.

We're back in the kitchen at 1:30. Clayton comes in at 1:35. He has wet hair too.

I jump up and down. Cyrus comes in with Drogon and Conner at 1:45. Lila shoves them back out. "DOLPHIN TIME."

Drogon stares at us. "Why did you let them get so excited?"

"They woke up like that. It was very calm 20 minutes ago. Let's go."

We run to the elevator.

They come in and Cyrus is still talking. "They can run all over hell, and we can sit in beach chairs."

Conner wraps his arms around me. "I can't wait to see this."

Drogon smiles. "Me too."

Clayton shakes open a pamphlet. "I think I've heard of this place. It's supposed to be expensive." Then he laughs. "Not for us, but you know, for normal people it's expensive."

Lila glares at him.

I drag her off the elevator when it stops. "He was talking about poor people, not you."

"He looked at me after he said it."

"Everyone looked at you. I thought you were going to explode. Enjoy the park and ignore him for a while. We're going to touch dolphins."

"You're right. Let's go."

We run to the lady at the desk. Clayton runs in. "DON'T LEAVE ME."

She smiles. "Did you bring adults?"

The other 3 come in at that time. "We're here too."

"Kids, you need to be at the dolphin pool at 3:15. They will get you in wet suits and give you a few directions. Do not enter any closed areas. Be free. Sorry, they're too excited."

"They are that."

A buzzer sounds, and we run into the most magical park ever. My mouth falls open. I can't believe this is part of a resort. It's like a tropical oasis. Tropical trees and flowers are everywhere. Lila tries to pull me in one direction and Clayton tries to pull me in the other.

"I want to see what's at the store."

"Let's see where the dolphin place is so we know how to find it later."

"Good idea." They pull me forward.

This is a very easy place to figure out. But it seems like half of it is closed. Not that it matters. We find the dolphin pool after 2 minutes. They are jumping around, making noise, and swimming with some other kids. I can't wait for our turn. Drogon wraps his arms around me from behind. "LOOK."

"I see, babygirl. Come here, and we'll tell you how this works."

We get over to some tables in a shady spot. The boys have papers.

"Do not enter any closed areas."

"She already said that."

"Yes, but most of the park is closed on Sunday. There is a river that is open. You can swim or snorkel in it. There's a zero-entry pool that's open. The river goes around an aviary. Do you want to see birds?"

"No."

Conner picks up the paper. "Ok. Let's swim for now. We'll let you know when it's 3."

"They can do other stuff."

"It doesn't matter. Let's snorkel in the river. They'll like seeing the tropical fish and we only have an hour. If they want to come back tomorrow, we can."

"That's true. Let's float around that river." Cyrus stands up. "It's this way."

We run after him but he doesn't run.

The river looks like a real river mixed with a lazy river. I can tell it's a lazy river, but it's made to look real.

Clayton hits me with a tube. "Grab snorkel stuff too."

I can't figure out how to put my head in the water while I'm on a tube. So, I let it float alone and I float on my belly. Conner rubs my butt and pushes me at one point. I pop my head up. "You're going to float right into that rock, woman."

"Did you see the fish here? They are so colorful."

"They are pretty. I think I'm watching your ass mostly. Look there."

I look up at the prettiest waterfall.

Cyrus chuckles. "It's as amazing up here as it is under the water. We may have to go around twice. We're going under that waterfall and into the cave."

Something touches my leg and I jump on top of Drogon. His tube flips and we fall in. He stands us up and wipes his face off.

"What are you doing up here?" Lila is staring at me.

"Something touched me."

She nods. "There are fish in here with us."

Clayton crosses his arms. "That's why you have a snorkel, so you can see them. Honestly. Pay attention."

"Someone let him float off into the cave alone."

"What cave?"

Lila screams, "LOOK AT THE WATERFALL."

I float on my belly and watch the fish. One of the boys push me again and it gets dark. Some of the fish glow in the dark. I am amazed and keep my face down. One of the boys hold my ankle until we get back into the light.

I stand up and point at the cave. "Did you see the glowing fish?"

"WHAT?" Lila runs back in.

"The cave had glowing flowers in it. I wondered what the hell you were looking at." Clayton goes after her.

A big red bird lands on my arm. I stare at it. It's big. It's at least 2 feet long. I panic. I think I pee a little. I don't move though.

Drogon puts his arm up to it and gets it off me. "We're beside the aviary, baby. The birds are friendly here. They won't hurt you."

"Ok." I stare at it while he walks away.

Then something touches my head. I drop under the water. I make sure the snorkel tube is out of the water and keep going. It's about 4 feet of water. So, I'm squatting down and walking with the fish. This is fine.

After a few minutes, Cyrus picks me up and sits me on a rock. He's the only one with me. "Let's sit here for a minute and let them catch up. You were speed walking, and they were still in the cave."

"That big bird landed on me."

"Yea, that scared you. Are you afraid of birds?"

"No. But I've never seen one that big."

A little green bird lands on a rock and climbs onto his finger. "You want to pet this one? He's friendly."

I pet his little head. "He is cute."

"Not as cute as you." He pulls me back into the water and gives me a kiss. "Do you like it here?"

"Yes, this is the best river ever. Except for that bird. I would like to see the inside of the cave too. I never thought about picking my head up. The fish were amazing. Did you see the fish?"

"Yea, I checked to see what you were looking at, and I held on to your foot. It was dark there."

"It was fun."

"Yea, it was. We're about to exit. We don't have time to go around again. Do you want to see some monkeys?"

"YES."

He laughs. "The next pool is interesting. It's made to look like a white sand beach. The water is kept warm. And right in the middle of the water is a little island. They keep a few monkeys on it. They can't go in the water, so it works as a cage for them."

"Let's go there."

"We need to wait for the rest of them."

"They'll find it." I pull him with me.

He picks me up. "I can hear them. Give them 2 minutes."

"HURRY UP, MONKEYS."

Lila, Conner, and Clayton come running around the corner. "WHERE?"

"We have to go there."

Drogon jumps in the water. "I cut through the aviary. Let's go see the monkeys. I know where they are." He grabs my hand and pulls me with him.

We get out and launch the snorkel gear at the bucket, then run to a beach. It looks like a tropical beach, but it's a pool. I run in the water and jump. Cyrus was right. The water is warm. It's like a huge bathtub. Then a man comes over to us.

"Hey, I'm the lifeguard. Can everybody swim?"

I splash in the water. "I can float and kick my feet. I don't drown."

"That's good enough. You cannot go past the rope today. And it's about 6 feet deep there. Make sure you're floating good."

"I will." I smile at him.

Cyrus gets a paper out. "Why can't they go to the island?"

"That's an animal encounter. That's purchased separately. It's not staffed today, so it's not possible. They can see the monkeys from here though."

Drogon nods. "With the encounter, what happens?"

"The trainers and photographers will be out there. The monkeys like hugs. They'll play and take bananas. Sit on people. You will get a half hour with the monkeys."

"And they take pictures the entire time."

"Exactly."

"How many animal encounters does this place have?"

"Birds. Monkeys. Dolphins. Shark. Stingrays."

"They all cost extra?"

"Yes. You'll get time with an animal and their trainer. The photographer will be there as well."

"What other extras can be bought?"

"Cabanas. The underwater walk. They weigh your feet down and walk you along the reef with a diving helmet on. That one is different. Um, the alcohol package. All food and nonalcoholic drinks are included with your base ticket. But if you want to drink alcohol, you have to purchase that add-on."

"All food included?"

"Yes, we open the park at 7. Breakfast is from 8 to 11. There are a dozen different places to eat. Take your pick. If you rent a cabana, you can order food all day long from that thing. Lunch is after 11 at the restaurant you pick. Snacks are unlimited throughout the day. Then we close at 6. So, there is no official dinner served here."

"Let's watch the monkeys." Lila pulls me into the water.

We go out to the rope and watch them play until Conner yells for us. Then we run to the dolphin pool.

A man and a photographer smile at me. "WE'RE HERE FOR DOLPHINS."

"Well, you're in the right spot. We have wet suits for you right here."

"Ok." We get them on and zip each other up. Then he shows me a few hand signals for the dolphins. I follow him into the water and raise my hand up fast. A dolphin jumps out of the water. I smile and look at my boys. They're smiling back at me.

"Pat the water here." The man backs away. "I have to get out of your pictures. They don't want my picture on the wall."

I laugh and pat the water. The dolphin comes up and pushes his nose into my belly. I giggle as the flashes go off around me. Then the trainer comes back.

"Grab right here at his fin and hang on. He's going to swim with you."

I grab him and wrap my other arm around him. He takes off. This is so amazing. He actually swims me around the pool and brings me back to my spot. Then he sticks his head out of the water. I rub it and his nose. He touches his nose on my cheek. I squeal and the dolphin laughs. At least I think he laughs. I don't know. He's amazing though. Then he splashes me. I laugh so hard and splash him back.

"See if he'll do another jump for you."

I fling my arm up, and he swims away and jumps. He does a whole flip then comes back. I give him a hug. "I love you."

He makes a clicky sound and touches his nose to my cheek again.

"I'm positive he loves you too. You get along well."

"Do they not like everyone?"

"Mostly they do. But dolphins are one of the smartest animals on the planet. If they decide not to like someone, there's nothing we can do. But you did excellent. He loved you. See if he'll give you another kiss. Touch your cheek."

I do it and he kisses me again. I squeal and hug him.

"Your half hour is over. You need to check the pictures now. Maybe they got a good one of you 2."

"I want more time."

"You'll have to book a time for the week or come back next Sunday."

"I will. Thank you." I run out and Lila and Clayton are standing there. "DID YOU SEE IT KISS ME?"

"I SWAM WITH MINE."

"MINE DID 2 FLIPS."

Cyrus whistles really loudly. "Go float around the river again. You have time to do it once. We're going to check the pictures."

"I'm going with them." Conner wraps his arms around me.

Cyrus nods. "I should have lied about his age." Him and Drogon go the other way, laughing.