Page 140 - Dark Matter Issue5 Part II

Behind her, Miranda could hear the Argentinian couple bickering about stars, and inlets,

and, maybe, far away islands. Her Spanish was rustic, and not up to these round rolling

sounds. With eyes and heart she sent love vibrations to the white-haired woman, the one

who quietly looked at the passing scenery, only interjecting here and there a comment

into the waterfall of her speaking spouse. The dolphins continued their play off the boat’s

side, and now they had come up close, quite extraordinarily close, heads rearing up from

the waters. One’s beak was just to the side, like an intelligent poodle judging her owner.

Miranda stared at the dolphin’s eye. It held her. It commanded her. It pushed her

forward.

Later, one of the bystanders on the boat would report how the young woman who had so

desperately clung to the railing suddenly let go, opened her handbag and started the

ritual.

Miranda took out the rosary. The dolphin looked on, curious. Still standing upright in the

water, its beak opened from time to time, as if preaching. Miranda tore the rosary’s silk

string. Individual wooden pearls gathered in her palm. The small silver crucifix at the end

of the string cut sharp lines into her tender flesh.

The dolphin wanted this. This was her way in. Miranda took the crucifix, and dug deep

into her face.

The other dolphin caught on to the game aboard, and began running antics behind its

mate. Standing high on its tail, it roared backward through the waves. Miranda did not

pay attention. She was right then about eight years old, firmly attached to her father’s

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