Page 30 of Mail Order Splash

“Ah, yes, Mom will do that. We must rescue him.” She left the floor to find him. “Be right back; don’t leave.”

“I told you that was her daughter. She doesn’t seem snooty.” Josh danced around me. “Have you seen Triton?”

“Would you stop with that, someone is going to hear you. Then, how will you explain yourself?”

“What guy would be insulted to be referred to as Triton? It’s a compliment.”

“I don’t want him to hear that I was referring to him that way. And how does he know these people?”

“Rich people know rich people, that’s how. And don’t look at me like that, it’s true.”

“I got him. Let’s dance,” Murphy shouted. “Kleine, why don’t you take those shoes off?”

“I didn’t think it would be proper.”

“Proper is a snooty word. Get comfy and have fun. Besides, you’re with me.”

“Do as the lady said,” Josh grinned, “unless you wanna stay looking good for Triton.”

“This sounds interesting, tell me more. Who’s Triton?” Murphy appeared behind us.

“It’s a long story and a joke.” I brushed it off.

“No way, I wanna hear it.”

I gave Josh an “I told you so” face then a pleading look to Doc, but neither was saving me from having to explain. Besides, she doesn’t know who we would be referring to.

“It’s Josh’s joke, but I met a guy out in the ocean while rescuing a dolphin.” She pleaded for me to go on. “He appeared out of nowhere, all tan and long hair. Never got his name, so Joshy thought it funny to call him Triton.”

“That’s amazing. He was like a mermaid. Did you look under the water to see if he truly was?”

“I wanted to but never did.”

“Wouldn’t it be cool if he was? I might have to go out in that water if men are appearing out of nowhere like mermen. So, tell me, Kleine, are you single?”

“Very single, sadly, but then no time, really, for the last ten years in medical school.”

“You’re a doctor. Good for you, a few of my brothers are too.”

“I’m the animal kind, though, like Doc.”

“I have to tell you, Kleine, my cousin was watching you all night. I think you two would get along.”

“Thanks, but not really looking for a partner at this time.”

“Me either, but this family won’t leave me alone about it. How do you get away with it?”

“No family to deal with. Not advisable.” I shrugged. “A few cousins and an uncle that live in Canada, so no interference. Doc is my family.”

“That makes sense. Doc is always bringing in strays.” She covered her mouth. “I didn’t mean it like that. I was trying for a light-hearted joke, and it came out like that.”

“Ha ha, I know what you meant, and you aren’t wrong. He does save everything he can. I love that about him. But I’m not a stray; he knew my father and my grandfather. They kinda adopted him when he moved here.”

“Stay here, I wanna find my cousin. He will be mad if he doesn’t get to meet you.”

Once she was out of earshot, I yelled at Josh for making me have to explain about Triton. “If he shows up, I will be running out that door.”

“How will it matter? Who’s going to tell him?”

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