Blum said it was not enough. Not anymore. Junior needed to learn a lot faster now.

It was apparent to all of them that the situation was her fault.

* * *

The men stopped answering the phone. She could hear it ringing through the speakers, could watch the men sitting, looking at it and then away.

Sometimes Eh picked it up just an inch, before slamming it down.

THIRTY-SEVEN
Homearium, Week 18

Two long weeks after learning her secret, Blum called her over onto the lawn, outside of the homearium. He held two margaritas, one of which he gave to her. He said he wanted to apologize; he had lost perspective. They should toast their accomplishment.

He held up his glass, said—Together we have managed so much. We’ve taught a marine mammal to speak English. Astonishing.

They clinked glasses, and, since he drank, she did too. The afternoon was hot, the sun a weight on her back. The salty rim of the glass and the ice-cold drink was surprising. She could understand, in this moment, why the men seemed always to be holding a mixed drink. She took another sip.

He exhaled, looking at the homearium and Junior. He said—Clearly, however, things have changed now. We need to adjust. What is your advice?

So eager for this conversation, she did not study his face, did not let herself wonder at this sudden shift.

She spoke quickly—Once the research is published, it will speak for itself. We need to publish.

He asked—What if the journals have already heard the rumors and won’t publish the paper?

She took another sip—We submit to another journal. If we need to, we expand the study. Add a second dolphin. A female. Add another researcher; someone with qualifications. I’ll train the person how to do it. It will strengthen the results.

He listened, watching. She talked quickly, trying to persuade him, sketching out the protocols and methodology, the data that would result, how long the study would take and its impact. Since she knew he loved large ideas, she asked what would happen if, during the study, the second dolphin got pregnant. Would two talking dolphins teach the baby to speak? His eyes brightened at this, and she continued. She had never addressed him like this, this long, this impassioned. He did not interrupt, but he did ask occasional questions. He watched, one eyebrow slightly raised.

Near the end of the drink, she looked down, trying to come up with any other idea. There was a pause. She noticed a grassblade near her foot shimmering. At first she assumed it had some moisture on it, a little water catching the light, but looking more closely, it seemed the whole blade of grass was slightly glowing, almost lit from within. She stared; the luminance had a slight pulse to it. Confused as to what it could be, she scanned the nearby grass. Another grass-blade was glowing a few feet away, and another a little further. She stood up and surveyed the lawn with attention. If she stood very still, she found she could see them everywhere, tiny glowing blades. Dozens of green pulsing stars in the lawn.