The Piers of Yesteryear: A Novel by Lawson Jack

Author:Lawson Jack [Jack, Lawson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-11-09T05:00:00+00:00

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At the entrance to OceanLand, two erected pillars stood in the shape of flying dolphins. Cobblestone pathways led them through and under a huge archway, forking ultimately into three directions: the two outermost led to separate show pools, the middle leading directly to the main stadium.

Jackie was enthralled. The place was huge. The family stayed on the main walk, Jackie between them, holding his mother's hand.

Watching the show from the high seats, he studied the great whale. It seemed to play, just like a child. The trainer tossed several whole mullets into its gullet and the mammoth fish peeled away and dove down, gaining incredible speed in a tight arc before blasting upward from the surface, then crashing down in a shower of water that sprayed six bleachers back. Dozens of people stood drenched, laughing. After the show, Johnny took him down to ground level so he could see the whale up close through the glass. Eyes full of wonder and awe, Jackie stared face-to-face with the great mammal. He believed the whale saw him, too.

The family toured the entire park, the boy never tiring, never losing focus, always enthusiastic.

“Having fun, Jack?”

It was his father. As Johnny hobbled beside him, happy in his life, young Jackie could not help but smile. He looked down at his dad's injured foot. Scars still visible above the sock-line. He was scared for him. How dare a shark hurt his daddy. Not when his father would do anything to save them. He suspected the answer was greater than himself: perhaps one day he would understand. For now, he would love his daddy every minute and learn from him. There was still so much to know!

“Yes, sir!” Jackie said. “That was a big fish!”

“Aye, it was the biggest!”

Next came the dolphin pool. A female trainer in a wetsuit took a ride between two of the mammals, hanging on by each of their dorsal fins. Standing in line, Jackie could hardly contain his excitement. He watched as other children touched the dolphin's head and one even hugged it.

When it was his turn, he rubbed the dolphin's snout, the mammal clicking and nodding. Jackie giggled, absolutely sold. Lorita took pictures from her vantage point. He reached into the bucket and pulled out a mullet. The dolphin catered to him, mouth open, wagging his tail for show. Jackie dropped the fish in, and the fish reared backward and dove, splashing both him and Johnny with a swish of its powerful fluke. They applauded, then posed for another picture for his mother, dripping.

He visited the sea turtle pen. Jackie could not believe their size. An employee fed them lettuce, then allowed him to do the same. Boy!

The treat came at the shark exhibit. The family walked through a clear tunnel of glass, sharks of all types swimming above and to the sides of them. The tank seemed limitless, the predators so close, watching the public as they pointed and flashed pictures. Mommy kept close to her husband, not nearly as enthused as her two men.

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