Dolphin Healing

Dolphin Healing

By Jill Gurr

Illustration by Valerie Woelk

Copyright © 2014 by Jill Gurr

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my parents, Rusty and Larry Gurr, who helped me get through my childhood illness. Also, thanks to my sister Michéle and my beloved nephew Devan.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 -Back to School

CHAPTER 2 -The Hospital

CHAPTER 3 -New Friend

CHAPTER 4 -Home at Last

CHAPTER 5 -Secret Spot

CHAPTER 6 -Danny’s Intrusion

CHAPTER 7 -Dolphin Games

CHAPTER 8 -Dolphin Dreams

CHAPTER 9 -Shocking Encounter

CHAPTER 10 -Families

CHAPTER 11 - Activist

CHAPTER 12 -Heartbroken

CHAPTER 13 -Mind Over Body

CHAPTER 14 -Recovery

CHAPTER 15 -Julie’s Plan

CHAPTER 16 -School Support

CHAPTER 17 -The Rally

CHAPTER 18 -Dreamer Dolphin Center

AUTHOR -Jill Gurr

ARTIST - Valerie Woelk

CHAPTER ONE

Back to School

Julie Brennan strolled along the beach as she carried her backpack filled with schoolbooks. She was small and thin for a 10-year old. Her skin was white and pasty, but a bright light shined through her sparkling eyes.

As sea gulls swooped by, Julie stopped and listened to the crash of the surf on the beach. She stared out at the sea and wished that she could escape from her life.

Julie wanted to run away to her secret spot, high on a cliff that overlooked the ocean. From here, she could see her house and the cannery where her mother worked. No one knew about this special place.

She had to hurry or she’d be late for school. A cool breeze blew her thick, long hair all around. Julie sighed deeply as she stumbled across the sand.

She reached a narrow road at the edge of the beach. Julie saw the school bus pulling up to the corner. She gathered all of her energy and ran as fast as she could. She arrived just as the last child entered the bus.

Breathless, she dropped onto the nearest seat. It was just her luck that Tiffany and Francine were right behind her. They were the most popular girls in her class. Oh, no, Brainy Brennan’s back! she heard Tiffany say to Francine.

Julie closed her eyes, wishing she had picked any other seat to sit in, but it was too late to change now. She pretended not to listen as Francine replied, "She’s such a nerd. She thinks she knows everything.

Tiffany said loudly, I know something she doesn’t know. She whispered a secret to Francine. The two girls giggled, making her feel even worse. Julie tried her best not to cry as she stared out the window.

A huge crowd of children at the elementary school moved like a waving sea of activity. Many kids ran around. Others rode bicycles and skateboards or played games. Julie was alone as she neared the building. There was something about her that made Julie different from everyone else.

Her mother told Julie that she was very special and that’s why she was different, but she didn’t want to be special. She wished that she could just fit in and go to lots of parties and sleepovers.

As she got closer to the front doors, Julie dreamed that everyone was really nice to her. She pretended that she was the most popular girl in her school. All the kids called out and asked her if she was over the flu. They told Julie how much they had missed her.

Hi, Julie. I missed you! Julie snapped out of her dream as Marsha Tomkins quickly joined her. Julie grinned at her best (and only) friend. They hugged each other warmly.

Everyone made fun of Marsha because she was fat. Even though Marsha wasn’t as smart as Julie, they enjoyed playing together. She always made Julie laugh, even when she felt sad. Marsha would say things like I missed you, when Julie needed to feel missed.

Thanks, Marsha. I missed you, too! They climbed the stairs to the front door. A bunch of kids tossed a Frisbee nearby. Their leader was an adorable boy, Danny. He was the most popular kid in the whole school. Tiffany and Francine thought he was totally awesome.

When Danny spotted Julie and Marsha, he cried out loudly and pretended he was in pain. Oh, no! The Cootie Creep is back and she’s with Big Blob! The other kids all groaned and pretended to throw up.

It’s Droolly Julie! Watch out or you’ll catch her cooties, yelled out a boy named Robert.

Don’t let the Blob near you or she’ll squash you, called another one of the kids. Tiffany and Francine were right behind Julie and Marsha on the stairs. They burst out laughing. Julie and Marsha tried to ignore everyone as they hurried into the school building.

The students all settled into their seats and took out their books. Julie gave her teacher a letter to read. Mr. Andrews was a kind man who was respected by his students. Welcome back, Julie. I hope that you’re all better now.

Thanks, Mr. Andrews, Julie said. Everyone stared at her as she walked down the aisle toward her desk, which was right in front of Danny’s. Tiffany leaned over to Francine, who sat at the next desk. She pointed at Julie and whispered something. Francine covered her mouth to hold back giggles.

Danny mumbled, so only those close to him could hear. All the kids chuckled. Julie felt very embarrassed.

Mr. Andrews glared at the mean boy. Is there something funny that you’d like to share with us, Danny?

No, Mr. Andrews, Danny replied.

Then why don’t you start today by naming the seven continents. Mr. Andrews stared intently at him, waiting for Danny to answer.

Danny wiggled in his chair nervously. There’s North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and... He tried hard to remember the last one.

Mr. Andrews finally turned to Julie. Why don’t you tell us, Julie? He smiled warmly at her.

Julie instantly knew the answer. Antarctica.

Mr. Andrews grinned. Very good. Where did these continents come from?

The theory known as ‘Continental Drift’ says that all the land on earth came from one big piece of land that broke apart, Julie stated.

Excellent, Julie. I’m glad to see that you studied while you were out, Mr. Andrews smiled proudly. Now let’s all open up our geography books to page forty-seven and find out why they broke apart.

As all the children took out their books, Danny made a funny face at Julie. He whispered loudly, Smarty pants. Tiffany and Francine giggled again, which made Julie feel just horrible.

Julie’s mother served dinner. Mrs. Brennan worked as a supervisor at a large tuna cannery. She was a beautiful woman with warm eyes and soft, wavy hair.

Julie’s dad left home when she was just two- years old. He was a fisherman. Her mom said that he loved living on the ocean more than having a family. Julie wished he had stayed. She missed not having a father.

Her sister Stephanie was 14-years old. She was boy-crazy, and Stephanie was learning how to drive the boys crazy. She would talk on the phone for hours with her friends, gossiping about everyone at Kennedy Middle School. She wanted nothing to do with Julie.

Julie and Stephanie helped Mrs. Brennan put their dinner on the table. I’m sorry I was late coming home today. We had a party for Mary Peterson. She’s retiring from the cannery after working there for over thirty years!

Stephanie tried to act casual. Mom, can I go to the movies tonight?

No, it’s a school night.

But all the kids are going, Stephanie begged.

Suddenly, Julie’s nose started to bleed. Mrs. Brennan jumped up and grabbed a towel. Oh! Julie, tilt your head back! Stephanie, get some ice! Julie was very scared. Mrs. Brennan put the ice into the towel and pressed it against Julie’s nose as she held her tightly.

After a few moments, the bleeding stopped. Mrs. Brennan still cuddled Julie in her arms. Are you okay, honey? Julie nodded, feeling a little dizzy.

Stephanie was really jealous. She hid her feelings as she watched her mother kissing her little sister. Please let me go, mom? Just this once? Everyone will be there.

Stephanie, I already said no and that’s the end of it. her mother replied. Stephanie angrily poked at her food.

Mrs. Brennan hugged Julie. Now finish your dinner, sweetheart. If you eat it all, I’ve got your favorite dessert.

Julie sat up, her eyes twinkling. M & M’s? she asked.

Her mother smiled and nodded. Julie quickly ate her food. M & M’s, the plain type, were her favorite food in the whole world.

And I have your favorite dessert, too, Stephanie, Mrs. Brennan said. Fudge brownies.

Stephanie glared at her plate of food. I’m not hungry. She quickly left the kitchen.

Stephanie’s room was filled with posters of all her favorite musicians and actors. Photographs of her friends covered the walls and mirrors. There was barely any space left to see the pink paint on the walls. Stephanie laid on her bed sulking.

Julie knocked, then entered the room. Could you please help me with this button? I can’t reach it. She lifted her long, beautiful hair and pointed to a small button on the back of her blouse.

Get mom to help you, Stephanie growled. All she cares about is you.

Julie tried to cheer her up. She loves you too, Stephanie.

Stephanie turned over on her bed, so her back was to Julie. Go away and leave me alone.

It’s not my fault that you can’t go to the movies.

Stephanie sat up and glared at her sister. Nothing’s ever your fault! It’s always mine. I hate you so much!

Suddenly, Mrs. Brennan was at the door. Both girls froze. What’s going on in here?

Julie didn’t want to get Stephanie even angrier. Nothing. Mom, could you unbutton this for me?

Mrs. Brennan helped Julie unbutton her blouse. Don’t you both have homework? Stephanie angrily picked up a schoolbook, while Julie hurried out.

Julie’s room was filled with books, because she loved to read. Several brightly painted crates served as bookcases. A hand-decorated tin can held pencils and pens.

Big posters of ocean scenes covered the walls, along with photos of Julie swimming in the sea. A stuffed Orca whale named Pickles was on her bed.

On the night table was a small bowl with two goldfish. Bingo and Bongo were hard to tell apart, but

Julie knew which one was which. Bingo had a tiny black dot on his tail and Bongo was just a teeny bit larger. They watched Julie as she pulled out her diary from under the bed.

Julie only wrote in her journal when something was important. After her tough day at school and the fight with Stephanie, today was one of those days.

All the students in Julie’s class divided into groups for a volleyball game. The only two kids left to be chosen were Julie and Marsha. They stood on the side, wishing they didn’t have to be there. The gym teacher called out, Okay, Julie, go join the Red Team and Marsha, you go over to the Blue.

The kids on both teams groaned.