Page 76 of The Summer Request
“Look!” Michelle called out. “There they are!”
She ran back to the table and dug out her binoculars, handing them off to Val.
“I don’t see anything!” she whined. “It’s just water. I don’t see where – wait!” She jumped up and down. “There! I see four of them!”
“They’re coming right at us!” Lisa yelled.
Michelle wanted to say something, but it felt like her throat was swollen. She forced herself to take a deep breath.
Soon they didn’t need binoculars. The entire pod meandered right up to shore, relaxed and having fun. They jumped, spyhopped, and smacked their tails onto the water. One of the young calves was tangling herself in kelp, playfully draping it over her body and flinging it into the air with her tail. She got so close that Michelle let out a yelp of glee.
Before long, the orcas passed by, and the three of them took their seats at the picnic table as the sun continued its glorious descent.
It had been a good day after all.
Thirty
Lou was in desperate need of money to fend off his creditors, so he was in a hurry, and they had to act fast. He’d planned an enormous fundraising event in Portland on Labor Day weekend, dubbing it “The Fall Revival.” He claimed it was a place for Emeralds old and new to come together, learn, and grow.
In reality, the old Emeralds were required to bring at least two new attendees with them, or risk being labeled as “selfish” and “unwilling to share their knowledge of the journey.”
Chloe explained this was a serious problem for indebted Emeralds. They could lose their chance to guide sessions in the future, and no sessions meant no way to erase debt they’d accumulated from attending their own sessions.
Quite a convenient arrangement – for Lou.
As per usual, the only paid employees at the event would be Lou’s security team. Everyone else was expected to volunteer out of the goodness of their hearts – which, in Emerald terms, meant the fear in their souls – and not complain.
This was a detestable practice, but it did provide an opportunity. The Fall Revival was the largest Emerald event on the West Coast in over a decade, and finding volunteers on short notice proved to be difficult. Lou wouldn’t even pay for the entertainment, saying that performers should be “banging down the doors for this kind of exposure.”
Val told Lisa and Michelle about her plan, but unlike before, she didn’t pressure them to participate. She admitted it had holes, and for that reason, she had mitigating strategies to avoid being trapped in a windowless room for a day.
They all had a good laugh, then Michelle announced she was going to help.
Lisa had been shocked when she heard it. Michelle hadn’t even hesitated. She said this was the sort of thing she could get behind, helping people who had been exploited by Lou. If Chloe’s optimistic hopes came true, then the entire community would be rid of Lou and his manipulative ways.
Lisa was more hesitant to sign up. Though she thought the idea had legs, she needed to focus on her new job. After Val debuted the idea at dinner the night after they had seen the whales, Lisa wished them luck, but went back home without making any promises.
It didn’t last long. As soon as she mentioned Val’s scheme to Sierra and Avery, it took off. Both of them had friends who’d been sucked into the Emerald Life, and they, too, wanted to help.
So, really, Lisa had no choice. On that picturesque Saturday in September, she found herself smack-dab in the middle of The Fall Revival.
It was being held in an enormous field, a popular spot for festivals, and there was plenty of room for the thousand-plus expected attendees. Lisa was stationed in the crowd, walking the grounds and watching for suspicious activity.
It wasn’t a bad job. There were lots of people to watch and many sights to see. So many of the bright young faces reminded her of Justine. How many shared her genuine love of people, her joy for living? How much had Lou managed to take from each of them? A thousand dollars? Five thousand?
The space was abuzz with optimism. Music blasted as people moved between the dozens of booths – some for food and drinks, others for games and caricature drawings. The busiest booths were for Emerald session sign-ups and merchandise.
Near the back of the field, they’d set up a large stage with a jumbo TV and lights. Porta potties lined the outskirts, and since Lou was cheap and thought himself above regulations, there were only fifteen total, leading to long lines and an intense smell.
No one complained, though, as it wasn’t the Emerald way. Lisa carried on, combing through the crowds, watching the security team and laying low.
This time, she had a disguise. Val had lent her a long, blonde wig and a wide-brimmed tan hat. She’d worn a summer dress Sierra had picked out and, to her delight, she seemed to blend in with the average twenty-something attendee, at least from behind. No one gave her a second glance. It was brilliant.
At noon, when the sun had reached its peak and the smell from the toilets was nearly unbearable, Lou made his entrance, running onto the stage to upbeat music. The crowd yelled and screamed, welcoming him, and confetti poured in from above.
When the noise died down, Lou yelled into the microphone. “I want to congratulate everyone here today.”
More screams. They were treating him like a rock star.
