out onto the sand. A cheer goes up from the volunteers. I can hear the clicking of Jason’s camera.
Quint helps guide his mom as she turns around so that the back of the van is facing the water. It seems like it would be a simple maneuver, but driving on the ever-shifting sands is tricky, and every summer there are stories of people losing their vehicles to the ocean because they were driving too close and their wheels got stuck in the wet sand. Rosa is cautious, though, and besides, she’s probably done this hundreds of times.
As the van comes to a stop, the crowd moves in excitedly, phones and cameras readied. Quint and I have to remind everyone to stay back so that the seals have an open path to get out to the ocean. I’ve been told that most of the released animals waste no time once they see the crashing waves—they’re excited to flipper their way down to the water and disappear into the welcoming bay. But every once in a while, according to Quint, there’s an animal that is more curious about the volunteers and any people who just happen to be on the beach that day. The animals sometimes want to inspect bagged lunches or roll around in the sand like they’re trying to entertain whoever’s watching. Which is an adorable memory for everyone involved, but can also cause some difficulties for the release crew as they attempt to coerce the animal into going where it’s supposed to.
Rosa and Shauna emerge from the van and Rosa greets the crowd with a wide, almost giddy smile.
“Wow,” she breathes. “This is by far the most people we’ve ever had to witness one of our animal releases. I’ve been doing this job for almost twenty years, but this is the first time one of our release celebrations has been a public affair. I’m so happy you could all join us today, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping to make our beach clean and safe for these amazing animals. I think, after you see how happy they are to be going back to their natural habitat, you’ll be just as excited as I am to have been a part of this day.” She gestures at me and Quint. “And I want to give an extra big thank-you to my son, Quint, and our newest volunteer, Prudence, who made this event happen.”
I give an awkward wave to the crowd. People applaud graciously, if a little impatiently. I dare to glance at Quint and we share a proud look and then—he winks at me.
My heartbeat skitters.
“I’ll be happy to stay and answer anyone’s questions about the center after the release,” says Rosa, “but for now, I know you aren’t here to see me. You’re here to see Pepper, Tyrion, Chip, and Navy, four harbor seals who are eager to get back to their home.”
Rosa and Shauna open the back of the van, revealing four kennels. Dark eyes and furry, whiskered faces peer out through the bars, and a unanimous aww rises up from the onlookers.
We unload the crates, setting them into the sand. Rosa reminds everyone not to approach the animals and not to give them any food.
“But take as many pictures as you want,” I add, “and please tag us if you post them on social media.”
Behind the barred doors of the crates, I can see the harbor seals perking up, looking curiously out at the ocean. There’s a near-overwhelming sense of anticipation.
The doors are opened.
Three of the four seals bolt from the crates as if they’re in the Kentucky Derby. They belly flop their way down the shore, clustered together, their flippers smacking the sand. They dive face-first into the surf and within seconds they’ve disappeared beneath the waves.
The fourth harbor seal, Chip, is more hesitant. He takes his time poking his head out of the crate, taking in his surroundings. He inspects the crowd and shyly, uncertainly, plods out of the crate. And then he just sits there, looking around as if confused. Rosa and Quint have to get a couple of boards from the van and use them to nudge Chip toward the water, like one would herd a difficult pig toward its pen.
Finally, Chip seems to get the idea and takes off doing the inchworm down the beach. One of the other seals pops its head up from the water, as if he’d been waiting for his friend to join