Dolphin Tale 4

Chapter [24]

"Love birds? Do they even exist, or are they just a figure of your imagination?"

Spencer Nelson smirked. "Oh, they really do exist, Sawyer. In fact, I'm staring at one right now."

Sawyer turned to look behind himself. "I don't see any trace of a bird. Are you sure that you are staring at one?"

"Well, the only way that one can get a good look at themselves—the only way that one can actually see themselves—is with the aid of a mirror. You see, the only way that one can see themselves is by standing in front of a mirror; if you can't see yourself, you tend to think that you don't exist—that other people can't see you. But they do see you. I see you."

Sawyer raised an eyebrow. "Are you implying something...?"

Spencer shrugged. "It's possible that I'm implying something, yes. What I am implying, however, is for you to figure out."

Sawyer shook his head. "What are you talking about? What is there for me to figure out?"

Spencer just smiled and shrugged. "That, Sawyer, is up to you to find out. Come and find me when you figure it out. I'll be out of here in a few more days, so you better be quick." He turned and walked away, but paused before reaching the spare room. He faced Sawyer and said, "I have a surprise for you when you figure it out. I think you might enjoy it."

Sawyer nodded slowly and raised an eyebrow. "Right. I'll keep that in mind, then." He walked up to his father, glaring at him. "Listen, I don't know what your true motive is for coming back, but I'm going to tell you one thing, and I'm only saying it once, so you better be listening."

Spencer grunted, nodding. "Yeah, I'm all ears. What is this one thing you wish to tell me? I'm sure I'd be delighted to hear it, whatever it is."

"I hope you will be. It's fairly simple, actually, and all you have to do is comply with the rule I'm about to set. Simple?"

"Dead simple."

Sawyer raised an eyebrow. "Okay, if you say so. While you're here, under our roof and the blue skies and blazing sun that we unofficially banished you from, you're to keep out of my way and my mother's. You're to keep out everyone's way. If you don't abide by this dead simple rule, I'm afraid you'll find your sorry ass out on the cold, unwelcoming, unforgiving streets, and you won't be allowed back under this roof ever again. Never. Understood?" 

Spencer felt a smirk tugging at his lips but managed to keep his face straight. "Of course. I totally understand. Oh, and have you changed your mind about not coming to live with me in Washington?"

Sawyer shook his head. "No, and I don't plan on changing my mind. Florida is my home; it has always been and it always will be."

Spencer sighed and opened the door to the spare room. "Well, goodnight, son."

"I am not your son. You can't just throw that term around casually because I am definitely not your son. You, right now, are just a stranger to us. We do not know you."

"I'm your father, Sawyer. I married your mother, Lorraine Nelson."

"We thought we knew you, but it turns out that we didn't know you at all. What we saw was only the surface of the many secrets and demons hidden, lurking within the depths of the Marianas Trench. We scratched the surface, not knowing that there was so much more to you. You aren't the man you were meant to be. You, to me, were supposed to be a role-model and someone I could look up to—you'd be my idol, my celebrity, my famous father. But you're infamous, now, to me, to my mother, to everyone. You had a chance, yet you wasted it; and when you waste a chance, it doesn't come knocking on your door ever again. A chance is hard to come by, and when you do, you should make the most out of it. So, technically speaking, you're not my father. You're not married to my mother anymore. You should be grateful that we even let you into this house and gave you a place to stay while you're in Florida. Be grateful of what we give, but don't take more than what you deserve, okay? I'll be dogging your footsteps from now on up to the very second you leave Florida."

Spencer Nelson just shook his head. "You wouldn't understand. Well, goodnight." He shut the door behind him, leaving Sawyer standing out in the corridor.

Sawyer gnashed his teeth in pure rage and annoyance before stalking off to his bedroom. One thing was really bugging him.

Love birds. 

What did he mean by "love birds"?

***

The sun rose, spreading its blood-red fingers over the horizon, carressing the land with its warm touch.

Sawyer opened his eyes and glanced at the clock which read nine o'clock. He sighed, knowing that if he still worked at Clearwater Marine Aquarium he would be with Winter, engaging in their daily bonding session. He missed everyone, from all the staff members to Fred, the sea slug. But he missed Winter dearly, and...Hazel.

Hazel just kept popping up in Sawyer's head, no matter what time it was; no matter what he was doing. It was as though she was permanently imprinted in his mind.

Sawyer yawned and ambled over to the door. He opened it and stepped out into the corridor. The house was unnervingly silent; too still.

"Hello?"

Sawyer walked to the kitchen cautiously, glancing around for any signs of life. An envelope lying innocently on the dining table caught his eyes. His breath hitched and his heartbeat quickened. Could it be a...ransom note?

He picked up the envelope, the paper feeling cold and foreign in his hand. He opened the envelope and pulled out a folded sheet of paper. A second, shinier piece of paper fluttered onto the table and landed face-down. Sawyer unfolded the piece of paper and stared at the words written in cursive.

It was addressed to him.

Sawyer,

I was out birdwatching the other night, remember? Well, I saw these two and took a photo of them. I think you'll find it extremely interesting.

Sawyer picked up the piece of paper from the table and flipped it over. And at that precise moment, he finally understood the meaning behind "love birds".

Also at that moment Sawyer felt a hand being rested on his shoulder. A male voice whispered gruffly into his ear, "So..."