Catalyst (Breakthrough Book 3) by Michael C. Grumley Read Free Book Online Page B

came to see them unannounced things ended very badly.  “Who is it?”
    “A woman.  From San Juan.  A Boricua.”
     
     
     
    Both women quickly followed Bruna.  She led them back downstairs but stopped short upon reaching the bottom step where they spotted a middle-aged woman curiously looking around their observation area.
    When the woman saw Bruna returning, she appeared relieved and quickly closed the distance between herself and the women, staring intently at Alison as she did so.
    “I’m sorry,” she apologized.  “’I’m sorry.  I was just-”
    Bruna was breathing hard again but still managed an irritated glare.  “I told you I would get her.”
    “It’s fine, it’s fine.”  Alison could see puffiness around the woman’s eyes.  “What can I do for you?”
    “I’m very sorry.  I don’t mean any disrespect, but I have to speak with you.”
    “About what?”
    The woman took a deep breath.  “My name is Lara Santiago.  I've come to ask you for help.  Not for me, for my daughter.”
    “Your daughter?”
    “Sofia.  She’s eight.  Her class came here recently on a field trip.”  The woman frowned before continuing.  “My daughter couldn’t come.  She…she hasn’t been to school for a long time.  She’s very sick.”
    All three women’s faces softened.
    Lara pressed her lips together firmly.  She had already cried so much.  But the tears still came, sometimes unexpectedly.  “My daughter has leukemia.  Her friends came to see her recently and told her about their field trip.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry,” Alison said, her voice having dropped to a soft whisper.
    The woman forced the next words out.  “She…doesn’t have much time left.”
    Alison placed a hand over her mouth and looked at DeeAnn.
    “I’m here for her,” the mother continued.  “She was wondering…we were wondering if we could arrange for a visit with your dolphins.”  Lara was clearly struggling now.  “Maybe a private visit?  Sofia’s embarrassed of how she looks now, but she asked to see them…before it’s too late.  If that’s possible.”
    Alison dropped her hand and nodded.  “Of course.  Of course it is.  We’d be happy to have her.”
    “Thank you.” Lara smiled and wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.  “Thank you so much.  Sofia loves dolphins.  She’s wanted to come ever since you and your team arrived, but she’s been slowly getting worse.  She doesn’t have much strength left.  So her father and I are trying to make the rest of her time with us as happy as we can.”
    Now all three of the women were near tears.  They stepped in closer while Bruna placed a hand gently on the woman’s arm.
    “How soon can you bring Sofia in?”
    “Is tomorrow too soon?”
    “Not at all.”
    “Maybe ten o’clock?”
    “That would be fine.  We’ll make sure everything is ready.”
    “Thank you so much.  I can’t…”  She stopped herself, unable to finish the sentence.
    They each stepped forward and embraced Lara warmly one at a time.  “You tell Sofia that we’ll all be waiting for her.”
    Bruna then wrapped an arm around her and gently guided Lara back toward the double doors.
    Alison and DeeAnn both looked at each other in silent amazement.  They then glanced up, realizing Lee, Chris, and Juan were standing above them at the top of the stairs.
    “I take it you heard all that?”
    “We did.” They nodded solemnly.
    “Can we count on your help tomorrow then?”
    Chris smiled.  “Hell, yes.”
     
     
     
    From the inside of the tank, Sally watched Alison and the others speaking.  They were talking quickly and for a long time.  When it was over, the others disappeared, leaving only Alison, who remained staring at her and Dirk.
    “Hello, Sally.  Hello, Dirk.”
    Sally answered as they both drifted effortlessly toward the tank’s glass wall.   Hello Alison.  How you?
    “I’m good.  Thank you.  I need to talk to you about something.”
    Outside,