Page 52 of Places I've Never Been

Adam cleared his throat, relieved that the plan had been thwarted. “So we have our split then. Coop, Tina, Mattie, and me to the turtles, Brandon and Flynn to the caves. Have fun, guys.”

“Okay. We are decided,” Bayo said. She looked at Nassor. “We meet back home, yes?”

Nassor agreed with a happy nod. He raised his hand. “All seeking underwater adventure, follow me.”

Brandon cast an irritated glance at Cooper, then saluted Adam. “See ya, bro.”

He sped off after Nassor.

Flynn followed Brandon, shouting, “Later!”

Bayo smiled. “Please follow me. This way.”

Adam gave Cooper a quick look of sympathy before taking off after Bayo. Cooper’s expression was carved from stone. Tina, however, seemed satisfied with the outcome.

Bayo led them along the southern tip of the island to a large cove similar to the one he’d taken Mattie to before, except this beach was dotted with several giant sea turtles.

Bayo led them to a small dock located on the far end of the cove, around the tip of an outcropping that blocked the turtles from view.

She cut off the engine and climbed up onto the dock. “We stop here, so that we do not disturb the nesting mothers. Follow this path to the right for facilities, food and drink, and resting places. When you are ready, I will show you the turtles.”

After a quick break, the four of them fell in line behind Bayo as she led them to the protected breeding ground. Mattie rounded the corner first.

Before Adam caught up with her, Cooper tapped his shoulder. He paused to glance back at his friend.

Cooper looked apologetic. “Sorry, man. I tried.”

“Don’t sweat it,” Adam whispered. “Stupid plan anyway.”

“Still.” Cooper studiously avoided looking at Tina.

“Boys, you’re blocking the way,” Tina said.

Adam patted Cooper’s shoulder to show him it wasn’t a big deal and kept walking down the path.

While he might wish he were alone with Mattie, the last thing he wanted was for her to think he’d planned this on purpose. Though he had to admit, if he’d thought of it himself, he would have done it; he just wouldn’t want her to know that.

Bayo and Mattie stopped in a clear portion of sand several feet ahead.

“This is so cool,” Mattie breathed. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Look at that one, she has a huge gash on her shell.” Cooper pointed to one only a few feet away.

Bayo nodded. “Yes. Procreation for these mamas is quite rough. The males will nip and tug, seeking permission to climb aboard, and once they are there, they latch on, while the other males fight for her attention. She is forced to swim with the male attached to her, sometimes twenty-four hours. After he is done, another will take his place until all her eggs are fertilized. Then it isherturn to bite, yes?”

Bayo winked at Mattie. “Enough is enough?”

“If I had to go through all that to make a baby I’d bite back too.” Mattie laughed.

“Where’s that one going?” Tina pointed to an enormous turtle nearly at the water.

Bayo nodded. “That is our most famous lady. She is called Amani. She returns to this beach every year, for almost twenty years now. She is returning to the sea, her work done. See? The section over there, near the trees? That was hers. She dug the hole and put her eggs safely away to grow during the night. She has one other clutch, over by the rock, there. See?”

Bayo pointed to a group of large stones across the cove. “She is a good mama. She will come back next season. But for now, she rests.”

All of the turtles looked exhausted to Adam. Some stillworked to bury eggs, while others appeared to be sleeping. “They don’t stay with the eggs?”

Bayo shook her head. “No, they do not. The babies are on their own. Though we will look out for them, yes?”

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