She threw on the closest clean clothes and dry swallowed an Advil from the medicine cabinet in the bathroom. She locked the door behind her and put her hair into a last-minute scrunchie as she walked to the marine rescue to feed all of her furry and feathered friends.
Sabrina entered the building and made her way to the recovery room. She gave a sigh of relief at the sight of Freckles flopping happily in the water inside his kiddie pool.
“Hey little guy.” Sabrina smiled. She checked her watch. The vet from the Science Center would be arriving at any moment. “I’m sorry I wasn’t around as much, but I heard a rumor you’re getting strong enough to swim like a professional.” She spoke from the other side of the pen.
Freckles gave a chirp in response as he flipped in the water, and Sabrina smiled affectionately.
“I’m sorry you can’t stay.” She continued. “If we had more funding and a vet, then we’d be so happy for you to stay until you‘re ready to go back to the ocean. But the Science Center has both of those things, and I know you’re going to love it there.”
Sabrina’s phone rang, and after another careful look at Freckles, she left the recovery room to take the call.
“Hello?” She answered the phone. She held the phone to her ear as she walked towards the aviary.
“Sabrina! Oh good, I’m so glad I caught you. This is Kathy Zelenski from down the street. How are you?”
Sabrina blinked in surprise at the sound of her neighbor’s voice. “I’m well, thank you, Kathy. How are you? Is everything okay?”
“Oh, I’m just fine, honey! I’m actually calling you from work and I have some great news!”
“You do?” Sabrina asked, measuring birdseed from a container to transfer into a feeding dish.
“The grant for the Marine Biology students went through, and the funding is available as soon as they start work! We just emailed the Marine Biology Club, and the president says they have a handful of local students ready to come over anytime.”
Sabrina dropped the bird-seed container, and a variety of seeds scattered everywhere as the birds squawked in excitement.
“That’s the best news I’ve had all year, Kathy!” Sabrina exclaimed. “I thought there was a funding freeze until the end of summer!”
“Well, that’s the thing…” Kathy’s tone lowered into a conspiratorial whisper. “We received the funding directly from a private donor, earmarked only for the work exchange program with your rescue.”
“Who was it?” Sabrina asked, already knowing without a doubt that somehow, this was all Cesare. She swore she could hear Kathy’s grin through the other end of the line.
“They specifically requested not to be named anywhere, strictly confidential, you know, but when I tell you, this man was so fine…”
As Sabrina listened, she found her gaze settling on one of several brand-new windows in the building and gave a soft smile. “Oh, I know.” She muttered.
“What was that?” Kathy asked.
Sabrina blushed. “This is wonderful, Kathy. Thank you so much. Do I need to sign anything? Do anything? What are our next steps?”
“All the paperwork was completed when you submitted the grant proposal.” Kathy answered. “There will be some safety forms to sign once you have students on site, and a short form to fill out once a week to confirm work hours. But nothing until then. How soon do you want them?”
Sabrina looked around the rescue, giving a light laugh when she realized everything was blurry from tears of relief beginning to well up. “Tomorrow?” Sabrina laughed incredulously. “Is that too soon?”
Kathy’s smile could be heard through the phone. “Not at all! What time?”
“Does six work? We can do an orientation and they can meet Walter and I both.” Sabrina answered.
“That sounds great.” Kathy confirmed, typing away at her keyboard. “Talk soon, honey!”
Sabrina disconnected the call and then called Monty.
Monty answered on the second ring. “Hello, good morning.” He spoke with a thick Italian accent.
“Good morning, Monty. This is Sabrina.” She greeted, feeling somewhat formal around the man.
“Yes, hello Sabrina. How can I help you?” The older gentleman asked.
“I want to do something nice for Cesare. Something to surprise him when he’s done with court today. Can you help me?” She asked.
