Read Online Whale Song by Cheryl Kaye Tardif - Free Book Online Page B

he was listening to that had him smiling so much. As soon as he removed the headphones, my father unplugged them and cranked up the speakers so we all could hear the strange sounds coming from below.
    I shut my eyes and listened.
    Something made a rapid clicking noise. Then I heard an eerie, forlorn wail. It reminded me of a baby crying for its mother. I heard it again, and a shiver tingled up and down my spine.
    After a moment, I opened my eyes and looked at Goldie.
    Her face was beaming.
    “ That’s a killer whale,” my father said. “In fact, it’s a pod―a family. And they’re coming closer.”
    The clicking sounds grew more agitated―like hundreds of agitated voices―and I held my breath in anticipation, my eyes glued to the water.
    “ Keep a lookout,” my father warned, throwing me a quick wink.
    All of a sudden, about twenty yards out, a spray of water shot into the air. Before my father could explain that a whale was spouting, a killer whale broke the surface. Its body was huge and sleek. It was the most splendid sight I’d ever seen.
    “ It’s beautiful,” I murmured.
    The whale dove underwater and disappeared. A few seconds later, three whales emerged. And they headed straight for our boat.
    “ Oh no,” Mrs. Higginson moaned. “They’re going to hit us.”
    “ No they’re not,” my father said, patting her arm. “They’ll dive under. They’re much farther away than they appear.”
    Some of the kids―including Goldie―nervously waited for the boat to sink. But I had faith in my father.
    “ Don’t worry,” I told my teacher. “If my dad says they’ll dive under, then that’s just what they’ll do.”
    No sooner were the words out of my mouth, the whales sunk below the surface and reappeared a great distance behind us.
    We ate lunch on the Finland Fancy , surrounded by a mystifying symphony of sea creatures. The schooner bobbed amongst pods of whales, a couple of dolphins and a curious sea lion. In the afternoon, we took out our binders and noted things of interest―until Mrs. Higginson announced a surprise quiz. It was conducted by my father who ignored our rolling eyes and proceeded to drill us on everything he had taught us that day.
    For the last hour, Goldie slipped the headphones over her ears. She seemed just as captivated as I was by the immense beauty of the whales. A couple of times, I saw her nodding, as if in agreement to something she’d heard. Once, I noticed her lips moving and a radiant smile spread across her face. It was as if she had heard her brother’s voice.
    “ Okay kids,” my father said. “It’s time to call it a day.”
    Amidst groans of disappointment, he turned off the sound equipment and raised the microphone. Then the Finland Fancy chugged back toward the harbor.
    Once we were docked, my father pulled me aside. “Did you have a good time?”
    “ It was great,” I said, grinning. “It’s too bad Mom couldn’t have come out with us.”
    “ Maybe next time. She had a painting to finish for the gallery by Monday.” He kissed my cheek. “I’ll meet you at home and we’ll see how she’s doing with it.”
    During the bus ride back to school, Goldie and I compared notes about the day. Her eyes drifted shut, so I settled into my seat and closed my eyes too. I thought she was dozing, until I heard her snickering under her breath.
    I eyed her suspiciously. “What?”
    “ Adam likes you, Sarah.”
    My face felt like it was on fire. “What do you mean?”
    “ He told Bobbie Livingston he thinks you’re cute . Bobbie’s sister Mary told Melanie and she told me.”
    I slunk low in my seat.
    “ Naw, I don’t think anyone else knows,” she said, reading my mind.
    We turned and spied on Adam over the back of the seat. He was busy talking to Bobbie, so he didn’t notice us.
    I let out a dreamy sigh. “He is cute.”
    Suddenly, Adam turned his charismatic smile on me.
    I froze. Then I dropped down into my seat.
    Goldie leaned close. “What are