The Sea Turtle

Chapter 4

Charly the next day was once again watching the sea turtle swim, she just sat by the tank and watched it. Something wasn't right though it was struggling to swim. She got up and ran to find her brother, Luke or Uncle Jack. She found them in the office.

"I will not let this place go under, I will not let some other person who careless about what this place means take over" said Ben.

"Ben!" she yelled running in.

Ben hoped that she didn't hear what he just said, "What's wrong?" he asked nervously.

"Something's wrong with the turtle"

"What?" asked Uncle Jack.

"Its barely swimming" 

Ben, Luke and Uncle Jack followed Charly out of the office and to the turtle. When they got there it was barely swimming. 

"Hurry get the lift" said Jack to Luke.

Luke hurried to get the lift. 

"Charly get back" said Ben motioning for her to move back. She did.

Ben got in the water with Jack. Luke brought over the lift and together with struggles they got the turtle into the lift and was able to lift it out of the water securely. It was still making noise and freaking out. Charly ran up to it and look into its eyes. 

"Its okay" she said to it. And put her hand on top of its head. It immediately calmed down.

"Alright let's get it to the medical room" said Jack. Luke and Ben pushed the lift and Jack and Charly followed. Once they got there they lifted it down onto the table. All the while Charly looked into its eyes, calming it. 

"What's wrong with it?" asked Charly.

"I don't know yet" said Uncle Jack.

"Its flipper looks infected" said Luke.

Ben and Jack looked at it's right flipper. 

"Oh definitely" said Ben.

"What do you do for that?" asked Charly.

"We will try to get the infection out the best we can and then give it medication" said Jack.

"Luke take Charly out of here" said Ben.

Luke went to take Charly's hand, but she pulled back 

"What! No! I'm not leaving" 

Not what Ben needed right now a panic attack

"It needs me" said Charly.

"Okay but put on a mask and gloves"  said Ben.

"Charly I'm going to need you to keep it as calm as you can. This is going to hurt"

Charly nodded. Ben, Luke and Jack went to work on the turtle. Charly did the best she could to keep it calm, but it was in pain and lots of it. Soon it was over. 

"Should I get the the baby pool?" asked Luke.

"Yes" said Jack, "It won't be able to be completely submerged until this wound heals" 

Luke ran off to do so. 

"Is it going to be okay?" asked Charly.

"Its a bad infection, but we will do everything we can" said Jack.

Charly went back to keep the turtle calm. Ben just watched it. Since this turtle came in, everything's been better with Charly. 

That night at their house Ben was sitting on a chair and Charly was sitting on his lap. Ben was reading a book and Charly was watching a TV show.

"Ben?" asked Charly.

"Yes?" asked Ben not looking up from his book. 

"Are we going to lose mom's rescue center?"

Damn it thought Ben, she did hear. He looked up from his book and at her "No I won't let that happen"

"We don't have enough money do we?"

"Charly I don't want to worry about that, okay? Everything is going to fine"

Charly wasn't convinced but she agreed. Charly went back to watching the TV and Ben to his book. Hopefully that was enough for Charly to forget about it. Soon it was time for bed

"Bedtime Sweat pea" said Ben helping her off his lap.

"5 more minutes?" 

"Nope, its already 9:30" 

"But its summer"

"But I don't care"

Charly pouted.

"Not going to work sweat pea"

"Fine" 

Ben scooped her up and put her over his shoulder.

"Hey" she said.

Ben laughed and carried her upstairs. Once in her room he flopped her down on her bed.  "Get your PJs on and then brush your teeth" Ben left the room to change too.

Once Charly was done getting dress she went to the bathroom to brush her teeth. Ben walked in. Charly spit into the sink and put her toothbrush away. Ben ushered her out.

"You really like that sea turtle don't you?" asked Ben.

"Yes" she said climbing into bed. Ben lifted the covers for her to get in. Then sat on the edge of her bed.

"This might sound crazy but I see mom in it"

Ben smiled "Its not crazy"

"It's not?"

"No. Mom loved sea turtles so much. She always said if she could come back as anything it would be a sea turtle"

"I just can look into its eyes and see her"

"I haven't seen anyone speak to animals the way you do, besides mom. You are so much like her"

Charly got a big smile on her face, "Really?" 

"Absolutely" He kissed her forehead, "Get some sleep" he said tucking her in. She curled up. He went to leave. But stood in the doorway for a moment and watched her before flicking off the light and leaving. Its been a long time since he and Charly could have a conversation about their mom without her having a total breakdown. In fact its been days since she's had a panic attack.