On Ocean Boulevard by Mary Alice Monroe

Author:Mary Alice Monroe
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gallery Books
Published: 2020-05-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Researchers from the University of Exeter and Plymouth Marine Laboratory examined fifty animals from ten species of dolphins, seals, and whales—and found microplastics in them all.

A WEEK PASSED in a blur. Linnea worked with a feverish excitement she hadn’t felt in a long time to round out her idea for the Plastic Bag/Beach Sweep campaign. Cara was focused on how to engage the community, Linnea on how to inspire the individual. Together they developed and delivered a concept that they both felt enthusiastic about.

Today would begin yet another phase of her position. She would be the representative of the aquarium’s conservation program at her first meeting. Linnea took care with her appearance, wanting to put her best foot forward. She pulled out of the closet the new tan suit she’d purchased for the occasion, and a pair of open-toed bone pumps. She slipped into an ivory blouse, then the pencil skirt. Looking in the mirror, she realized it wasn’t the vintage look she loved, still, she was pleased with the chic yet conservative image she presented, much like her mentor, Cara. There was something about wearing a new outfit for a special occasion that made one feel special too.

A soft knock sounded on the door and her mother poked her head in. “Good morning! Want some coffee?”

“Thank you,” Linnea said, hurrying across the room to accept the mug. “That was kind of you.”

“My, don’t you look nice,” Julia said. “New suit?”

“Thanks, Mama. Yes. I pretty much depleted my bank account with this suit and the shoes. But they’re worth it, aren’t they?”

“Very nice. And you’ll get a lot of wear out of that outfit. One can never go wrong with a summer suit and bone shoes.”

“I figure I’ll wear them like a uniform this summer. Cara wants me to go out and speak to schools, companies, and community groups. I have to look the part.”

“Where are you going this morning?”

“It’s a meeting of local nonprofits. We’re discussing solutions for problems with water quality. The focus is plastics and microplastics. Cara wants this to be my main area of work.”

“I’m sure you’ll impress them.”

Linnea slipped into the pumps, smoothed her long hair back, and stood straight before her mother. “How do I look?”

After a perusal, Julia set down her coffee cup. “You’re missing one thing. Hold on.”

Linnea took another critical glance. What was missing? She thought she looked very professional. Not much makeup, polished pale nails. Cara had once told her that new clothes were like the ceremonial armor knights donned before battle.

Her mother walked in, carrying something. “Here,” Julia said, handing her a pair of earrings. “Try these.”

Linnea looked at the gold hoop earrings that she’d long admired when her mother wore them. Three colors of gold—yellow, white, rose—twined together. “The tricolor earrings.”

“Tricolore,” her mother corrected her, using the Italian pronunciation. She took one and began slipping it into Linnea’s ear. “My favorite. Your father bought these for me on our honeymoon in Italy. They don’t make earrings with that much gold anymore.

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