The Face in the Wave: Second Edition

By Joanne Olivia Rode

Greydon is a thirteen-year-old boy who loves the sea and the creatures in it. He volunteers at Marine World and becomes convinced that the dolphins should not be kept in captivity, and devises a plan to help free them.

While surfing he gets a glimpse of an exotic creature that he thinks is a mermaid, and when he tells his friends they act

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joanne Olivia Rode
• Release date: Jan 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9781732877023

Book preview

The Face in the Wave

It wasn’t the barrel that turned Greydon upside down. It was what he saw in the barrel. The deep blue of the ocean was punctuated with diamond-like sparkles as the summer sun glistened upon the surface of the water. The warm, salty air caressed the bare skin of the two brothers perched atop their surfboards. Jake sat tall and protective, with the toned muscles of a swimmer. Greydon had the sturdy, nimble build of a surfer and the caring heart of someone who loved the sea and the creatures in it. Next year, Greydon would start Carl Sagan High School, the all-boys school his brother had easily made it into two years ago and to which he was still amazed that he’d been accepted. But for now, Greydon was enjoying his time off.

The ocean pulsated with a powerful force beneath Greydon’s board as he popped up atop a seven-foot pounder that threatened to crush everything beneath it. Skimming along the top with exhilarating swiftness, he pivoted right and was surrounded by a curl of vivid blue seclusion and soft spray. His legs pumped continually for a faster ride. He glimpsed something out of the corner of his eye. Two dolphins poked their heads into the barrel. A girl’s face briefly appeared between the two dolphins, a luminous face with piercing blue-topaz eyes.

Greydon’s board flipped out from beneath him, and he was thrashed and churned along the gritty bottom. Fighting his way to the surface, he retrieved his board and took some deep breaths to still his pounding heart. He blinked the salt from his eyes and scanned the ocean. The dolphins and girl were nowhere in sight. He rejoined his brother.

Did you see that? he asked.

Those dolphins were dogging you, Jake said.

Greydon looked around. Did you see where they went?

Jake pointed toward the horizon.

How ’bout the girl? Greydon asked.

What girl?

Brentwood Memorial Hospital

Sometimes even with the most positive attitude, things seemed bleak. Michael Hubbard had graduated at the top of his class with a PhD in evolutionary biology, but all the smarts in the world weren’t going to help his wife. Michael looked down at Susan lying in the hospital bed and held her hand as she slept. Dr. Alan Sanders, Susan’s brother and doctor, took Michael by the arm and led him into the hallway.

How’s she doing? Michael asked.

She needs a new lung, Alan replied.

I thought you found a donor, Michael said.

I’m not certain of that. She has a rare blood type. I’m doing all I can.

I know you are, Michael said. It’s hard to see her looking this frail. She was always so curious, so fun-loving.

Even as a kid. I have a presentation. I’ll see you tonight.

Dr. Sanders strode to the podium with the confidence of a man who knows he’s highly respected by his colleagues. He looked into the expectant faces and began his presentation.

Welcome. I’m Dr. Alan Sanders. I’m head of Brentwood Memorial Hospital and founder of Brentwood Biotech Laboratory. I’m here to talk about some of the advances we’re making in biotechnology. Since their discovery, CRISPR-based systems have fundamentally transformed our ability to manipulate genomes.

A screen appeared overhead with a visual of DNA being snipped with scissors. Alan continued. We now have a DNA cutting tool. It works on any species.

Dr. Alan Sanders

Rocky woke up from one of his many naps and lumbered to the front entryway. The old Ridgeback–Great Dane mix groaned and lay down facing the door.

Greydon plopped four placemats on the table. He looked across the room and saw the faithful friend waiting by the door for his master.

Dad must be on his way home, Greydon said.

Jake unwrapped some hamburger meat and dropped it onto the hot skillet, where it sizzled and popped. Is Rocky by the door?

Yep.

Did you set an extra plate? Jake asked. Uncle Alan will be here.

I even used the Belgian linen napkins he gave Mom.

Greydon went into the kitchen and filled a glass pitcher with water. A big pot of spaghetti boiled on the burner. Lifting a few noodles out of the pot, Jake set them on a dish to cool.

Spaghetti again? Greydon asked.

Jake sucked a cooled strand into his mouth. Feel free to do the cooking anytime.

Just asking, Greydon said. We have cookbooks.

Feel free to use them, Jake said, as he tossed a strand of spaghetti onto Greydon’s shirt.

Greydon plopped the strand into his mouth. I love spaghetti.

Michael arrived home with the boys’ uncle. Alan had dinner with the family often. He’d never married. Michael was a professor of evolutionary biology at the local university, and Alan was a medical geneticist. Michael was interested in where humans came from— Alan was interested in where they were going. When Susan was diagnosed with COPD, Alan studied pulmonary medicine in hopes of saving his sister.

Jake looked across the table at his dad. How’s Mom today?

Michael’s face tensed. About the same, hanging in there. She’s got the best doctor caring for her, though.

Thanks, Alan said. I wish my dad could have gotten this kind of treatment.

Michael shook his head. Shame he died so young. You and Susan had it rough.

This time, we’ll be relying on medicine rather than prayer, Alan said.

Susan finds a great deal of comfort in prayer, Michael said. She likes to think of your dad’s soul in some peaceful place.

Alan twirled his spaghetti around on his plate. Maybe his soul did go to some peaceful place, but that wasn’t much help to our mother. It didn’t put food on the table. His soul never took out the trash.

Those hard times are past, Michael said. Susan has a great deal of confidence in you. We all do.

Today is great. Alan slammed his hand down on the table and abruptly changed the subject. How’s swimming going, Jake? I heard you came in first in the backstroke.

Jake surveyed his dad’s tired face. I had a good meet.

Swimming takes a lot of dedication and determination, Alan said, qualities that will serve you well in life.

I just hope it helps me get into college.

How about you, Greydon? How’s your summer going?

This Saturday, I volunteer at Marine World, in the dolphin area. Jake and I went surfing today. We saw dolphins—and a girl.

You saw a girl, Jake said. "I