Waterworks (H2O Just Add Water) 🌊

8. The Denman Affair

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Lewis had managed to get his resume to Dr. Denman who had set up a lab in one of the buildings at the dolphin tank. He and Cleo got to meet her who made the latter uncomfortable. I Googled some info on the marine biologist and read that she wrote a report on mutations in aquatic mammals. Plus, I noticed her while meeting up with Cleo for our lunch break.

After my shift at the kiosk, I went home to help Grandma with the garden. Cleo called me informing me Lewis had gotten the research assistant job with Denman and that he added the marine scientist's number to his phone, which bothered her when describing Denman as a pretty woman. Rikki and Emma informed me through a text message to not trust Lewis if he inadvertently told the marine biologist about us.

"Everything alright, sweetheart?" Grandma asked after I hung up and lifted a large sack of soil into a wheel barrel.

"Sorta. Cleo's worried about Lewis who just applied for the research assistant job at the marine park for this famous oceanic biologist who he's a huge fan of," I replied as I pushed the wheel barrel out from the garden shed following Grandma to add fresh soil and fertilizer for the fruit trees.

"Is the scientist attractive?" my grandmother asked.

"She's a blonde, the kind guys go ballistic for. Lewis just wanted to get access to the advanced tech the biologist has instead of the ones at school for a project he's been working on."

"The kind of person considered attractive is never by how they look. It's their personality and how they treat others. And I'm certain Lewis is more focused on his project instead of the biologist herself."

Grandma knew how to give good advice. It helped Dad and Ebony survive their teen years. I always felt better talking with her. Even Cleo, Emma, and Rikki appreciated her advice.

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The next evening, I was over at the Sertori house for a pizza night with the girls and Lewis. It turned out he had started his first day on the job. I wondered if he was able to access the lab equipment as he desired to do.

"You mopped floors?" Cleo questioned Lewis as Rikki pulled out the pizzas from the oven while Emma and I brought out the drinks.

"And that helps us exactly?" Rikki asked as she placed the pizzas on the table.

"Guys, I know what I'm doing," Lewis assured us, "I have access to her lab."

"I take it you weren't able to use the tech today," I said as Emma and I placed the drinks on the table.

"All I need now is a fresh DNA sample. Say, a toenail clipping?"

He picked up a pair of toenail clippers.

Not getting it from me! I thought feeling uneasy about the fact of one of us giving him our DNA sample and potentially risking getting ourselves exposed.

"OK, OK," Cleo sighed and held a hand out and Lewis handed her the clippers.

I could tell she was not a fan of the idea, but Lewis was determined to find out what changed the girls and me.

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The next evening, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, and I went out to Brisbane for a family night out. It had been a while since we did something like that. We all decided on dinner and a movie. I had no preference deciding to treat the event like it was my grandparent's special evening. 

We were at a restaurant having dinner when the notification tune went off. I realized I was getting a text, getting the feeling that it was from one of the girls or Lewis. I knew it could be important, but I didn't want to look rude in front of my family. So I excused myself to head for the restroom.