“I prefer animals that are different.” She shrugged.

Different like Mum, Rio thought, his heart squeezing against his chest “How do you mean?”

“Lots of people think the gray whale just looks like a crusty old rock because it has all these barnacles on its back and snout,” Marina said pointing to her own face, which thankfully was barnacle-free. “But I don’t think they’re ugly at all. How can a whale ever be ugly? They’re the most beautiful animals on the planet.”

She looked defiantly at Rio. Perhaps to judge if she had said too much or he might dare to disagree. But, of course, he didn’t think that at all. Instead, his heart gave a funny, squiggly little jump.

“Do you know what people call the gray whale?” she asked, lowering her voice even though no one else was around.

Rio racked his brain to remember what the notice had said in the museum. “The Pacific whale?”

Marina shook her head. “The friendly whale.”

“But . . . but how can a whale be friendly?”

“Because sometimes on boat trips, the gray whale will actually come right up to the boat like this”—Marina held out her arm—“and let you touch it.”

“No!” Rio had a horrible feeling that she was pulling his leg.

“Ocean’s promise,” she said. “And that’s the best promise of all because the ocean is the most powerful thing on earth. Even more powerful than humans. Although most humans don’t like to admit that.”

“Have you ever touched one?”

“Just once, and it was the best thing ever . . . Like touching a rainbow.”

Rio gazed at Marina in awe.

“My dad runs whale-watching tours,” she continued, her eyes shiny and bright. “And not just any tours—the best whale-watching tours in Ocean Bay.”

“Whale-watching tours?” Rio gasped. “Your dad?”

If Marina noticed his jaw was hanging open, she didn’t comment. “People come to Ocean Bay from all over the world to see the gray whales. Isn’t that why you’re here too?”

It was a simple question, but one Rio wasn’t sure how to answer. He gazed at her frank, open face, then back out to the ocean.

Slowly, wave by wave, the answer cemented itself somewhere in his belly. As if it had been there all along. “Yes,” he replied decisively, looking back at her. “Yes. I am here for the whales.”

Marina nodded. Almost as if there could be no answer other than that one.

“So, what are you waiting for?” She grinned impishly. “Want to come watch some with me?”

11

Whale Watching

Two days later, Rio stood waiting. Apparently, Marina’s dad was doing some essential boat repairs, so watching from the pier was the next best thing. Also, Marina said it meant she could train Rio. Although why he needed training just to watch some whales, he had no clue.

No matter. She’d be here soon, and then, after today, he would have so much more to tell his mom when he spoke to her on Sunday.