by Jeny Heckman
“What a great story,” Dee said, laughing.
“Right?” Raven agreed. “Have you ever seen a lyre?”
“No. Well, maybe a picture. It’s like a small harp, right?”
“Yep.”
She pulled out her medallion necklace and showed it to Dee. The old woman’s face literally glowed, and she ran her soft, wrinkled fingers over its surface.
“Oh my dear, it’s so powerful, isn’t it? So beautiful. Where did you get it?”
Powerful, Raven thought, what an odd word. Then she thought about it and realized that was precisely what it was. That strange, peculiar feeling she was growing accustomed to, crept in again.
“It was my mother’s. She played the harp.”
“Did she? I always wished I had learned to play an instrument.”
“I could teach you. To play something, I mean.”
“Would you? Oh, I would just love that. What about the ukulele?”
“Perfect, I don’t have a lot of time left here, but I’m sure we can get some chords down, and you can build from there.”
She continued down the trail and didn’t see Dee’s face fall.
Chapter 21
Jason walked briskly toward Fortner Talent and Publicity for his meeting with Donovan. He mumbled the speech he was hoping to give to the powerful and demanding man.
Most of the time he’d spent in Hawai’i he used to placate and reassure Raven. Yet, no matter what he told her he knew what he was going to allow and not allow. He’d try to negotiate a couple of songs, cover songs, sung and played her way. However, he wasn’t going to mess with Donovan’s temper or successful formula right out of the gate.
Not wanting to be outdone by the older man, Jason stepped into the reception area, wearing a designer navy wool suit. He had dropped a small fortune on it and a custom leather Italian briefcase.
Once allowed entry into the private sanctum, the men shook hands, sizing each other up, before Fortner gestured to a chair.
“Thank you for seeing me Donovan,” Jason began. “I wanted…” Donovan held up a hand condescendingly.
“I haven’t heard from you on the additions.”
“Yes, I spoke with Raven, and I have the signed copies here, but she wanted me to stress …” Donovan looked down at some papers on his desk while extending a hand.
“Give them to me.”
“Well, I wanted to discuss…”
“Give…them…to…me.”
Jason reached into his briefcase and handed them across the desk. Donovan quickly flipped the pages, confirming everything was signed.
“All right, our business has now come to its conclusion,” he informed the manager.
“Donovan, I came here to discuss the particulars and what we expect from you.”
“What you expect from me?” Now Donovan did look up. “What you expect from …me?” Jason fidgeted in his chair. “Mr. Dell, I never approved of your presence. You were hired because Raven felt a nonsensical connection to you and that’s all. Knowing the personal assistant position was a fairly inconsequential one, I allowed it to happen.” His steely eyes bore into his prey. “However, make no mistake, you are not taken seriously at this level, not by anyone that knows this industry.”
Jason felt the scathing remark, as hard as a physical blow. He tried to recover, so his voice wouldn’t betray him.
“Be that as it may, Donovan, I am her agent now. I am in charge, and we need to discuss the negotiable portions of the contract. Raven wants to try some new things. Now, I won’t let her deviate too much, but she’s using the split from you as a reinvention of sorts, and we need to respect that.”
Without looking, Donovan picked up the contract and pointed to the correct clause.
“Did you or did you not explain to your client that I am producing this show and that she has now agreed to do my show as I see fit? The time for negotiation is over. I’m paying her to be the Raven I created. Now, if on some ridiculous incompetence on your part, you choose not to read or disclose that to her before signing these papers, then that is your mess to clean up.”
Jason licked his lip, heart racing as he realized he might have screwed up in monumental proportions.
“Ah,” he said playing for time, “Ah, can we talk about the costumes?”
“Damn it, Dell. Her hair will be black. Her makeup will be appropriate. Her costumes will be elaborate to show off her body. Her music will be covers and done the specific way I’ve taught her to do it. That goes to her base, and it’s what makes me money. I will consider one original song and one original piece, but if I decide to ax them, I will. That is as far as my charity will extend to you. Now”—he waved a hand, dismissing him—“fuck off.”
Infuriated, humiliated and nauseous, Jason left the building and walked down Sixth Avenue. He had made a rookie mistake on his first major contract and assumed he would still be able to wriggle in a few creative control items, under the radar. Considering who he was dealing with, he realized the stupidity of that now. He would have to tell Raven.
Jason bought a latte and continued to walk down the street, trying to ascertain what the best course of action would be. He opted to wait out the month until she came home and he could talk to her in person. He sipped his latte, trying to forget that Donovan had essentially called him a pathetic joke.
Chapter 22
Finn smiled, watching the water sluice around the boat as they moved along the coastline toward Larsen’s Beach. There was a possible sighting of a new monk seal, and it was also a diving day, to document findings.
“Holly,” Nate called out. “We’ll be there in about fifteen minutes. I want everyone geared up, okay?”
She gave a thumbs up and called to Jake and Dawson. When the cabin got crowded, she flattened herself against Finn, pushing her breasts hard to his chest. He glanced down at her as she let her hand linger on his ass as if trying to gain steady purchase. She gave him a dazzling smile.
“Sorry, tight fit.” She looked at his lips then moved past him.
The play on words had him catching Nate’s eye who merely shook his head and smiled. Finn rolled his eyes, but both men turned and watched her ass as she walked away.
Once anchored, Nate, Holly, and Finn donned wetsuits while Jake and Dawson motored toward the beach in a dinghy to see if they could find the reported new seal. Securing his last flipper, Finn lowered his goggles, placed the regulator in his mouth, and leaned back into the water. Holly followed him and finally Nate dove in last with the camera equipment.
They kicked down to the ocean’s sandy floor and watched a seal flipping rocks with its nose, trying to find food. Finn moved by it, to ascertain if it was their new seal but found it was one of their more playful favorites. He motioned for Nate to take pictures, as it played around two turtles.
The trio stayed for about thirty minutes tracking several seals, watching for anything amiss in their movements and functions. He also noted the environment and documented two safety areas that they’d need to address. Eventually, they decided to check in with the other two scientists.
“Was that Pepe?” Holly asked, breathing hard when they broke the surface of the water.
“Yeah,” Finn said, laughing at the seal’s playfulness. He could still feel them around his feet, calling out to stay and play.
“Did you see his bite? Tiger sharks have been in this area,” Nate said.
“Yeah, it looked pretty well healed though,” Finn remarked, swimming toward the boat.
Jake met them back onboard, where they removed all their gear. Nate asked the young protégé some questions as they piled into the dinghy and started for shore.
“So what d’ya got?” Nate yelled over the motor.
“Great news. There’s a three-year-old in excellent condition.”
“Is it the new one?” Finn asked.
“No, it’s RWL-40. Dawson tried to get close to the other one that I’m pretty sure is our mystery guest.”
“Sh
e didn’t engage it though, right?”
“No, just observing, but from what we could see he’s had a hard time of it. He’s, it’s, well, you’ll just have to come see.”
When they got to the beach, they found Dawson and followed her around a bend.
“Oh shit,” Finn said, looking over at Nate.
“Holly, start documenting.”
They approached carefully, not wanting to scare the animal. Nate flipped open his laptop, waiting for Finn, who took a deep breath and began dictating.
“I’d guess she’s about nine feet long. Damn, gotta be close to seven hundred pounds.” He stood back and scanned her. “She’s not well. We’re gonna have to get some samples.”
“Shit,” Jake murmured to Dawson. “I was afraid he was going to say that.”
“She’s been in the nets,” Finn said and pointed to her neck. “Got some ligature marks.” He slowly moved around the great behemoth, feeling her fear. “Had a couple of run-ins with some sharks before but they’re healing nicely.” He glanced over at Nate. “I think she’s ingested something she wasn’t supposed to.”
“So, we gotta re-mark her?” Holly asked.
“I’m not sure she’s ever been marked. I’ve certainly never seen her before.” Nate yelled over to Finn, “She tagged at all?”
“No.”
Tagging was Finn’s least favorite thing to do, but it had to be done, to help the animal. Each person surrounded the seal, moving slowly. They had to place a restraining net on top of her, to obtain blood and blubber samples, to take back and examine for infection or parasites. Finn and Nate would also check pulse and breathing to find the best diagnosis and treatment plan. Surprisingly, the old seal didn’t thrash for too long, seeming to understand and trust that he wouldn’t harm her. They obtained everything they needed relatively quickly. Finally, they tagged her for tracking and identification, then left her alone again.
By the time the group was on its way home, a sense of celebration was in the air. The students were all aft, talking animatedly to one another. Nate approached Finn, steering the boat, not able to remove the broad grin from his face.
“Great day,” Nate commented.
“Phenomenal day. The size of that girl! What would you guess for age?”
“Oh God, over twenty-five. She’s a survivor.”
Finn stretched behind the wheel. He couldn’t wait to tell Dee and Raven. Nate watched him and seemed to read his thoughts.
“Ya gonna tell her?”
“Yeah, she’s gonna go nuts.”
“Getting laid by a good woman looks good on you, my friend,” he said. When Finn’s head snapped around, he raised his hands, laughing. “I’m just kidding.”
“You’re hilarious,” Finn said, turning back to the water.
Nate rested his arms on the small workspace they had for charts. “I am. I also seem to remember getting a hell of a lot of shit from you when I met Annie.”
“Well, you were pretty whipped.”
“Yep, well, now you look just as stupid.” Finn smiled just enough that only a friend would notice.
“Did she enjoy her research trip?”
“Yeah, she loved it.” Finn added, “Oh, I forgot to mention, I was told RDL-35’s all healed from the propeller. They’re releasing him Tuesday.”
“Ah, fantastic. You going?”
“Yeah, I think I’m gonna bring Rave too. She’d get a kick out of it.”
“Sure, maybe I’ll bring Annie then.” Nate looked at his friend, hesitating only a little before saying, “So, this thing serious?”
“Of course not.” Finn countered after a slight hesitation. “Damn, Nate, not everyone’s like you. Some people just aren't built for greeting cards.”
“Does she know that? She doesn’t look like the type that has flings.”
“Well, yeah.” Finn’s brow furrowed, a little unsure. “I think she does. She’ll be leaving soon, so it doesn’t really matter.”
“Of course it matters, Finn. Jesus.” Nate looked back out onto the water, thinking then changed the subject. “So, Annie wants another get-together tonight, why don’t you bring her out to the cabin.”
“Usual time?”
“Yeah.” Nate took a deep breath. “So now we have to talk about something else.”
“When are they putting them in?” Finn asked, resolved.
“They pushed up phase one, to September.”
“Two months? Wow, they aren’t wasting any time, are they?”
“Well, like I said, they already did all the research. Alan just wants it to happen.”
“He’s always been an impulsive bastard.” Both men looked up when Dawson came onto the bridge.
“Alaula, two o’clock,” she said. Finn maneuvered the boat to take a closer look. He idled and watched, as mother and child lay on the beach barking out to one another, then begin to play.
“I swear if they fuck up these animals, they’re not gonna like me much.” Finn spat.
“Don’t worry brother. They won’t be like me much either.”
Chapter 23
That evening, when Raven and Finn arrived at the Bowman’s cabin, the celebration was already underway. They took Raven’s car, so she decided to wear a long coral peasant skirt and white eyelet blouse. Annie looped an arm in Raven’s immediately and walked ahead of the men.
“Okay,” Annie pretended to whisper. “I think you’re going to need a cocktail and play on my team for volleyball.”
“I’m not very athletically inclined.” Raven giggled
“Oh bullshit, you run all over the stage in nine-inch heels. You could probably spike a ball over the net in them. Besides, Nate’s terrible and I’m going to put him on the other team.”
“You know I can hear you, right?” Nate retorted. “Never mind, I’m taking Finn then.”
“You can’t take Finn. He’s the best player,” Annie informed him without turning around.
Raven glanced back, and smiled at him in exaggerated admiration, causing him to shake his head. Games, music, drinking, and Hawaiian barbecue filled the evening, so by the time Nate hit a fork against a bottle, Raven felt slightly tipsy.
“Okay everyone.” Nate raised his beer. “First, here’s to our amazing friends and as always, thank you so much for coming. To the researchers of SeaHunt, great work on a pretty incredible day.” Finn, Holly, Jake, and Dawson all raised a beer to him. “I also wanted to tell you that this isn’t our regular little luau. Annie and I wanted to let you all know that come around Christmas, we’ll be expecting another baby Bowman.”
“Hoopomaikai mai ia oukou hoaaloha maikai!” Everyone yelled as excitement and cheers broke out.
“It just means ‘bless you, good friends.’” Finn translated when she looked at him confusedly. Touched, she smiled warmly at the endearment, then laughed when Finn ran into the fray and twirled Annie.
“Why didn’t you tell me, you asshole?” he exclaimed and clapped Nate on the back with enthusiasm.
Raven watched as the guests spoke animatedly to one another. They had all known each other for years. They knew each other’s secrets and had intertwined their lives. It made her incredibly happy, then incredibly homesick for Wyatt, Que, and Abby. Her cell phone rang, and she groaned when she saw the caller. Walking to the perimeter of the party, she noticed a fifth of rum and grabbed it before connecting the call.
“Hello, Donovan.”
“Raven, it sounds like I may have interrupted something.” At another whoop of laughter, “Good God, where are you, a bar?” Donovan drawled.
“No, I’m at a luau. Is there something you need, Donovan?” she asked slowly, concentrating not to slur her words.
“We need to discuss your event.”
“Can we do it later? Again, I’m at a party.”
“No, we’ll discuss it now. Jason is a complete moron and incapable of understanding how to negotiate a deal. I know you aren’t much better at it, so I’m going to walk you through the particula
rs so that you may understand.”
Resigned, she took a deep breath, then, realizing she was holding rum, took a considerable swill of it as he spoke.
“First off, he sent me your new headshot, and you look like a California cupcake.” She took another pull off the rum. “Do you have no originality? Your look is edgy, that’s your market, Raven. Your manager—and I use that term exceptionally loosely—is pulling you down an irresponsible and destructive path for your brand. You look absolutely ridiculous.” She took another gulp, made a contorted face, and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, trying not to giggle. “I’m sorry, is something amusing?”
“No. It’s just that you called me a cupcake,” she said, letting out a snort of laughter.
“If you want to look like a common beach tramp,” his voice tightened, “do it on your own dime. We’ve spent hundreds of thousands of dollars promoting this and you. Do you understand me?” She automatically answered by nodding her head, then remembered he couldn’t see her.
“Yes.”
“You are now under contract to play the set I made for you, and as I told Jason, it’s what your core wants to hear. More importantly, it’s what I am paying for, do you understand?” When she said nothing, he said more loudly and sternly, “Do you understand me, Raven?”
“Yes,” she said, quietly defeated.
“Amanda will follow your set and …”
“Wait, what?” Her head buzzed. “Did you just say I’m opening for your girlfriend?”
“No, you are a professional, playing before another professional.” She took three large swallows of rum, scrunched up her face, and exhaled through pursed lips.
“Just because she sang on a few sets with me does not make her a professional, Donovan. She’s a glorified karaoke singer.” Then realizing what she said, began to laugh.
“I know you are probably beginning to feel your irrelevance, Raven.” The insult brought her up short, and tears stung her eyes, so she began to chug the rum.
“So, what, you just want to humiliate me again but this time on stage?”