"Sawyer! You're late!" my mother called the next morning. I rolled over in my bed and pulled the blanket high over my head. I could be late to work today, I thought to myself. Except there was a big show today for local middle school. Clay would kill me if I was late. I flung the blankets off and jumped out of bed.
I frantically ran around the house trying to find my Clearwater polo, finally finding it still damp in the washing machine. I throw it on and grabbed the whole box of cereal. I ran back upstairs and grabbed my backpack and my car keys, and then I finally ran out of the house, slamming the door behind me.
"Sorry I'm late, Clay." I called as I entered the Clearwater facility.
"It's fine, Sawyer. The students should be arriving in about thirty minutes," he replied. "Go and get Winter and Hope ready for the big show!"
I quickly changed into my wetsuit and headed down to the dolphin arena. I spotted a man sitting on the bleachers of the show arena.
"Excuse me," I said politely. "No one is allowed to be down here until the show at ten o'clock."
"I'm sorry," the man replied. "I'll go. I just wanted to get a look at the dolphins. I have a personally connection to one of them."
"It's fine. These dolphins are really special to a lot of people. That is why we ask for the dolphins to have a little privacy, or there would be people down here all the time."
"You know, my son was one the people who rescued the injured one."
"You mean Winter? The one with the prostatic tail?" He nodded in agreement. "What's your son's name? Maybe I know him."
"His name is Sawyer." I stood there shocked, unsure of what to say next. My father was sitting right in front of me. For years, this is what I had wanted, to see him again, to talk to him again. He had walked out on my mother when I was seven and I had never forgiven him for that.
"Right, Sawyer. Today is his day off." I said unconvincingly. "Maybe try again tomorrow?"
"Thanks for your help. I'll do that. And if you see him, will you tell him I was here? My name is Mark."
"Uhhh…Yeah, sure," I responded quickly. I watched him walk off, still dazed from the conversation I had just had.
I heard Winter clicking for the fish I had in the bucket in my hand, bringing me out of my trance. So I went back to work, trying to forget that man, my father. I fed Winter and Hope, while also practicing some of the tricks for the show.
Soon, I heard children screaming and running around the rest of the aquarium. I quickly wrapped up what I was doing and went to find Hazel. I found her at the turtle pond, helping some girls fed worms to turtles.
"Sawyer!" Hazel exclaimed, as she saw me approaching.
"Good morning, Hazel!" I called back. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Mark. "Hazel, can I talk to you in private?" I asked quickly.
"Sure, I'll be right back girls." Hazel walked over to me, grabbing my hand as we walked back towards the dolphin pools. "What's up?" she asked with concern in her voice.
"There was a man here earlier today. He said his name was Mark. He said he was my dad." I explained, looking to her for support. I went on explaining all that had happened.
"Well, did you tell him who you are?" she asked.
"No. I told him that it was my day off." I explained. "I don't think that he believed me. I think he knows I lied to him. I'm kinda freaking out!"
"Well, let's go tell Clay and we all can keep an eye out for him."
We walked around the aquarium, hand in hand, and finally found Clay talking with one of the teachers.
"Dad?" Hazel asked. "Could we talk to you really quickly?"
"Sure, Hazel. What's ups?" Clay asked us, looking on with concern.
I took a deep breath and again explained to Clay what had happened this morning. "Have you talk to your mom?" Clay asked when I was finished.
"No, I didn't want to worry her. She has a big day at work."
"Ok. Well, I will keep an eye of this guy. Try not to think about it, okay? It's almost time for the dolphin show. You better go get ready!"
"Thanks, Clay." As he walked away, Hazel looked at me with those big brown eyes. "I'll be alright. Let's go see Winter and Hope!" I said, walking in the direction of the dolphins.