Page 53 of Landon (In Safe Hands)
“Whalescan’t breathe underwater,” she giggles. “They have lungs and have to come upfor air, just like us. It evolved into Ambulocetus about a million years later.See.” She points to the next picture and studies the replica of an Amb-whateverskeleton. “It still has legs and doesn’t live in the water, but feeds there,sort of like an alligator. It wasn’t until another million years later when theMaiacetus emerged that they started spending more time in the water than onland. Their legs functioned both in and out of the water.
“TheDurodon was the first descendent to be completely aquatic nearly nine millionyears later. See where the forelimbs have become flippers? And the hind limbsare tiny. It’s also developed tail flukes and…” She looks up from where she’sbent over studying the skeleton and giggles. “I’m boring the shit out of you,aren’t I? I can get carried away.”
“I’mnot bored at all. I love to see you so excited.” We make our way through theexhibit. “I can tell the difference between an alligator and a crocodile, atleast.”
“Ohyeah, what’s the difference?” she challenges.
“Onewill see you later and the other will see you in a while.”
“Ofcourse,” she laughs.
We’reapproached by a young man wearing a wetsuit. “Mr. Clark? And you must be Ms.Page. I’m Sully. Are you ready to join me?”
“Joinyou for what?” Zoe asks, turning to me.
“Wouldit be too cliché if we swam with dolphins while we’re here?” I ask. Judging bythe squeal she emits, I’d say she’s pleased with the idea. I know when I toldher to wear a swimsuit under her clothes, she probably thought we were going tothe pool.
Zoein a modest, yellow two piece swimsuit is the sexiest sight I’ve seensince…well, since I saw her naked. It doesn’t escape my attention that Sullyappreciates the sight as well. He’s the young, blond surfer type with more tanthan brains, and I kind of want to drown him and feed him to his dolphins. Ifhe gives her that searching look one more time, we may find out if humans makegood fish food.
Shefastens her lifejacket and we follow dolphin boy onto a platform in the water.He blows a whistle and a few seconds later, a pale blue dolphin leaps onto theplatform, sliding on its belly. Zoe laughs with delight. “He’s beautiful. Can Itouch him?”
“Ofcourse.”
Shetentatively strokes down the dolphins back. “Landon! Come and feel him. He’s sosmooth.”
Iput my hand beside hers and run my hand over the cool skin. “He is smooth. Ithought it’d be a bit scaly, like other fish. Kind of feels like rubber.”
“He’snot a fish. Dolphins are mammals,” she says absently, her attention focused onthe dolphin. “What’s his name?”
“Dart,”Sully replies. “Would you like to see why we call him that?” Before we canagree, he gives a hand signal, and the dolphin shoots off across the tank. Allwe can see is a silver-blue streak in the water until Sully blows the whistleand Dart leaps into the air repeatedly, flipping and bolting around the tanklike a missile.
“Wouldyou like to ride him?” Sully asks, signaling for Dart to return.
“I-yes!”Zoe cries, wiggling like a sugared up toddler. The next hour is one of the bestof my life. We swim with Dart, and Sully also brings in another dolphin. Thewide excited smile never leaves Zoe’s face as we frolic with the friendlyanimals. I arranged this for Zoe, but I’m having the time of my life watchingher enjoy herself and let go in ways she’s never had a chance to experience.
Whenthe session is over, Zoe retreats into the restroom to dry off and remove herswimsuit. I’m sure as hell not taking her anywhere else public, because herlack of a bra is obvious. Tiny hard nipples stand at attention as she throwsher arms around me. “Thank you for bringing me here. I had the best time.”
Myhands travel down the back of her shorts to squeeze her bare ass. “No bra orpanties. How am I supposed to function knowing that?”
Herfingers tangle in my hair. “You’ll have to tough it out. I’m not wearing a wet swimsuit.”
“Areyou tired? I thought we’d take a walk on the beach.”
“I’mnot tired. Let’s do it.” She grins and takes my hand.
Thenight is hot and humid, but the breeze off of the ocean cools the sweat on mybody as soon as it pops out. Zoe holds my hand and walks beside me while hergaze shifts back and forth between the dark roiling water and the bright burstof stars above our heads. “I love it here,” she sighs.
“Wecan come back whenever you like.” A fire pit has been dug on the beach and itlooks as if it’s just been abandoned since a few embers still glow in thebottom. A pile of driftwood waits nearby.
“Didyou plan this?” Zoe asks, when I throw two logs on the fire. They’re so dry,they flame up instantly.
“Nope.Happy accident.”
“Well,it’s perfect.” Her skin is so soft when I pull her into my lap.
Herphone vibrates against my leg, and she reluctantly pulls it out of her backpocket. “I just want to make sure it isn’t Ethan.”
“Isit Ethan?” Judging by the look on her face, something is up.
