Dolphin Tale 4

Chapter [21]

Dr. Clay glanced out of the window and saw Hazel sitting on one of the deck chairs, gazing steadily into the distance. He sighed and gripped his cup of coffee tighter before heading to the door. He opened the door and poked his head around. "Mind if I join you, Hazel?"

Hazel sighed, and without altering her line of sight, she shrugged. "Not at all."

"i haven't seen Sawyer at all for the past few days. Do you know where he is?"

Hazel drew in a deep breath. "I saw him yesterday...and I told him not to come back to Clearwater Marine Aquarium."

"You did what?"

Hazel shifted her gaze so it landed on her father. "Dad, I can't bear to see him anymore. The more I see him, the more my heart breaks. I just can't keep on seeing him anymore."

Dr. Clay frowned. "Why? What happened between you two? As far as I'm concerned, he's done nothing wrong. You two still seem like a happy couple to me."

Hazel sighed and bit her lip. "He's moved on, Dad. He has Lacie, now. They seem to get along really well together. I suppose it's time for me to move on, too."

Dr. Clay sat down beside Hazel. "What did Sawyer say to you?"

Hazel sighed. "He said that he could explain—"

"And did you let him explain?"

"—and that he wanted another chance."

"And did you give him another chance? Did you let Sawyer explain what was going on between him and Lacie?"

Hazel swallowed. "No, I didn't give him another chance. No, I didn't let him explain to me what was going on between him and Lacie. I just walked away after I said goodbye to him."

Dr. Clay sighed. "You should have given him another chance, Hazel. What if there is nothing going on between Sawyer and Lacie? What if..."

"Dad. Please, stop."

"Well, if you think that you did the right thing, Hazel, then I support you all the way. I just think you should have put a bit more thought into your decision. But, if you are sure that you've done the right thing."

Hazel frowned. "The trouble is that I'm not sure if I have done the right thing."

***

"It's like I'm a rope. It's like we're playing a game of Tug of War. You, Lacie, are pulling me in one direction, but Hazel, on the other hand, is pulling me in the opposite direction. And, to make things worse, it's my heartstrings you're tugging and pulling at, and it feels like they're about to snap."

"I'm sorry, Sawyer." Lacie sighed. "It's just that you're such an amazing, wonderful person; all of us want you. I'm sure there are hundreds of girls out there in the whole wide world who want you as their boyfriend. I'm sure their birthday wish would be to be with you. I'm sure that their most desired Christmas present would be you. I'm really lucky to have you, Sawyer, did you know that?"

Sawyer looked taken aback. "No, I didn't. And, don't try to flatter me, Lacie. I'm sure that nobody would actually want to meet me, let alone be with me. You're just saying that to make me feel better, aren't you? I don't know how you can tolerate me."

Lacie laughed softly. "I'm not flattering you, Sawyer. I'm telling the truth. There are girls—boys, even—who are swooning over you, or are just dying to meet with you. And, I must say, you are the most tolerable guy I've come across in my life. You're patient, kind, and awesome in general. Thank you for being in my life."

It was Sawyer's turn to laugh. "Really? I never knew... And, I must say, that I'm somewhat glad to have you in my life, Lacie."

"Only somewhat?"

"Is really glad somewhat better for you?"

Lacie grinned. "A lot better. So, is it over between you and Hazel?'

Sawyer shrugged. "For now, I guess. At the moment, the future is unknown."

"So, there's a chance that you two may get back together again?" Lacie stared at Sawyer, hoping that he would say no.

"Yes. There is a chance that Hazel and I will get back together. That chance, however, is looking quite slim right now."

Lacie was disappointed. "Ah, well. I should get going, then."

Sawyer sighed. "Lacie, I do like you. I do. It's just that...I'm confused as to who I like better. I just can't decide between you and Hazel. Give me some time, okay?"

Lacie nodded. "Yeah. Okay."

There was a sudden knock on the bedroom door. Sawyer stared nervously at the door. "Who is it?"

"Sawyer, son, I need to talk to you."

"Dad? Oh, um, I'll be out in a moment." Sawyer grasped Lacie's hand. "Go home, Lacie. If my dad gets angry, you won't want to be here when the bomb explodes, okay? Go home."

Lacie shook her head stubbornly and squeezed Sawyer's hand. "If the bomb explodes and takes you, I want it to take me, too. I am willing to make that sacrifice, just for you."

"Lacie—"

"No, Sawyer, I am staying by your side no matter what, okay? No matter what happens, I'll always be beside you."

"Always?"

Lacie nodded. "Always," she echoed.

Sawyer sighed. "Okay. Let's go, then." Together, they walked over to the door and opened it, revealing Sawyer's father.

"Took your time," Spencer Nelson said, annoyed.

Sawyer frowned. "Were you eavesdropping?"

Spencer raised an eyebrow and said, smoothly, "You actually think I would sink that low?" He turned and walked towards the kitchen, shaking his head and muttering indistinguishable words and phrases.

"Yes, I think you would sink that low," Lacie whispered, squeezing Sawyer's hand again as they made their way into the kitchen.

"You better make this quick, Spencer. Sawyer, Lacie and I don't have all night. I'm sure Lacie doesn't wish to stay overnight."

Spencer turned to face Lorraine. "I didn't ask dear Lacie to join us. She may go home if that is what she wishes."

Lacie faced Sawyer's father, her jaw set, her eyes hard and glaring. "I wish to stay with Sawyer. I am perfectly happy to stay overnight, and I'm sure that my parents won't mind, as long as I let them know. Is that okay with you, Mr. Nelson?"

"Perfectly, utterly fine," Spencer Nelson said through gritted teeth. He cleared his throat. "I have a proposal to make."

"Oh, God," Lacie said. "Maybe I should have just gone home."

Lorraine glared at Spencer. "This had better not be a marriage proposal, Spencer. If it is—"

"It isn't."

"Then what is this proposal of yours about?" Sawyer said impatiently.

"I want you to come and live with me in Washington. How does that sound?"

"All of us?" Lacie asked.

"No, just my wife and son."

Sawyer's eyes widened. "What? Permanently?"

"Yes, permanently. You two need a change of scenery. You've been living here, in Florida, for your entire lives. Doesn't it get boring? I propose that you come and live with me in Washington."

"What?"

"Just consider it, okay? That's all I ask. It's a good idea, yes?"

Sawyer glanced at Lacie, then at his mother. He turned to face his father again, his eyebrows raised sceptically. "No."