Page 33 of Mail Order Splash

“That’s it? That is not it. Are you saying your nickname is Triton, the Greek God of the Sea.”

“That’s me. What do you think?” I held a pose with my hair loose.

“I get it. She said she was Ariel, like the mermaid, and her father is Triton.”

“Ew, yuk, that feels wrong.” I shook my head, disgusted. “Her friend Josh said ‘Triton’, not her.”

“Way to save that one. I suppose she used Ariel because she is in the water all the time, but she had a voice at the party and legs, so she clearly isn’t a mermaid.”

“Who knows, maybe she is. I watched her tread water for over an hour. Even I got tired.”

“Wouldn’t that be something?” she chuckled. “Are we ready for lunch, because I’m starving. Then I want to meet the dolphin.”

“I don’t know where it is. I was hoping Dr. Garcia would tell me.”

“I had him tell me, but he also said Dr. Schaffer wouldn’t want you or anyone to go there and that’s why he wasn’t saying.”

“Dalton, that boat you helped the other day is out here again,” my captain said over the intercom. “Should we approach?”

“Hey, you get to see what this is about and why I like it so much.” I gave the captain a thumbs up. “I’m going out on the jet ski. You can watch from the upper deck. Or, you can come with me.”

“Funny boy, get out of here. If she has time, invite her onboard.”

As I got closer, I could see they were finishing up whatever had been happening and there was no animal in sight, nor had I seen any fins from a pod. Cutting the engine a few feet away, I coasted the rest of the way.

“Good afternoon, Ariel.”

“If it isn’t Tom. Where is Jerry?” she called back.

“I thought it was Triton. I like that better.”

“I suspected you might. Who wouldn’t?” She squinted up into the sun. “We don’t have any other rescue today. You missed the fun.”

“That’s too bad, I wanted to help.” I pushed my sunglasses up on my forehead. “My aunt is on board. She requests your company for lunch, that is, if you both are free to join us.”

“What an odd place to request a lunch date.” She shook her head, frustrated. “Not a date, I didn’t mean it’s a date.”

“I understood. It’s about the only word you could have used with that. Are you available to come aboard?”

“Well, the turtle we released was rather ungrateful. He took off, so I don’t see why not. Josh looks famished.”

“Great. Come alongside the yacht. My crew will help you aboard, unless you want to jump on here with me?”

“No, wait, we don’t have a change of clothes. It seems wrong to join her in wetsuits.”

“You probably have swimsuits on underneath. I can give you a robe. Would that help?”

“You have all the answers, don’t you.” She looked to Josh, who was nodding yes.

I knew I liked him. Still haven’t figured out if he’s her husband or boyfriend yet. No matter, I want to know about the rescues.

She chose to stay on her boat with Josh over to the yacht. The crew was ready and waiting to assist. I’d gotten onboard before them and was waiting with fresh clean robes I always had on hand for guests.

“I see what you mean now, Dalton, she looks quite different out here. However, her beauty cannot be hidden.” Aunt Victoria waited alongside me for them to board.

“Mrs. Hawthorne, thank you for inviting us onto you yacht for lunch.” She held her hands up in the air. “I can’t shake as I probably smell of turtle and salt water.”

“Would you like to shower off then join us on the deck for an iced tea?” Aunt Victoria took over the conversation. “If not, we won’t be insulted. You could stay as you are. We realize this was not planned.”

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