Page 48 of The Triple Play

The last few days were unexpected, to say the least. I might not have completed everything I wanted to professionally, but I did make a potential major discovery.

That’s all that matters.

Dr. Cheng is waiting just outside of my lab as I limp down the hall the next morning, carrying the bin with the most important pieces I want to discuss with him. When he sees I’m having difficulty walking, he hurries to meet me.

“Olivia, what happened? You’re injured!”

I let him take the bin from me before I answer. “Yes, I unfortunately twisted my ankle, which delayed our ability to get out of the park. I made it home yesterday afternoon.”

“You should have notified me and stayed home,” he chides me gently as we move slowly toward my lab.

I give him a wan smile. “I appreciate that, but I wanted to come in. There’s lots I’d like to review with you.”

His eyes light up with the kind of fervour only a fellow scientist could appreciate. “Yes, yes. Let’s get settled, then.”

A short while later, Dr. Cheng pushes back from the microscope he’s been hunched over for several painfully long, silent moments.

“Olivia, this is an incredible find.” His voice trembles with excitement that sets my blood humming. “I do believe your instincts are correct and this may be a new variation of a Cladonia lichen. This will be incredibly beneficial to your grant application, especially as the focus of the grant committee this year is on the molecular level uses for fungi and the like.”

That comment sends a fissure of frustration through me. It annoys me that protecting old-growth forests and biodiversity no longer matter enough to warrant funding. That as a society, we’re more focused on what the environment can give us, as opposed to everything it does for us. But funding is funding. And I need that grant.

Which is even more reason for me to stop thinking about Griffin and Denver and focus on why I came to Cedar Creek.

My work.

“I agree. I hope it will also strengthen my argument for stronger restrictions on logging companies on the island. We’ve barely begun to scratch the surface of what places like Strathcona could hold in terms of ecological discoveries.”

Dr. Cheng nods along emphatically. “Exactly.” He stands up. “Well done, Olivia. While your trip may have faced more than its fair share of challenges, with the storm and your unfortunate injury, it seems to have been, overall, a success.” He tilts his head toward the microscope. “Your dedication to your work does not go unnoticed. I’m glad to have you with the department.”

“Thank you,” I say after clearing my throat against some unexpected emotion. “Your support means a lot.”

“Well. I’ll leave you to finish cataloguing everything. Do you feel ready for your series of guest lectures? I believe those start next week, do they not?”

“They do,” I confirm. “And yes, I’m ready. Dr. Vanzelt has reviewed my material and approved it, and he’s provided the students with the introductory material already.”

“Good, good. Then I’ll connect with you later in the week.”

Once he leaves, I continue to unpack and catalogue everything from my trip. Nothing is quite as remarkable as the new species of lichen I found, but I still go through the process methodically, filing away all of my notes and ensuring the samples I brought back are preserved appropriately.

It’s dark outside by the time I get home. Hopefully, I can get my car back from the cabin soon, or the cost for taking an Uber to and from work will add up. If my ankle wasn’t an issue, I’d ride my bike or walk, but that’s not an option for now.

Once inside, I let Trip out, grateful he’s a lazy enough house hippo to be completely happy skipping his walk for a couple of days. I make a quick sandwich for my dinner and feed Trip, then sit down on my couch, picking up the remote.

Nature documentaries might be boring to some, but to me, they’re the perfect background noise when I just want to unwind for an evening.

But my peace is interrupted just five minutes into a show about Bengal tigers that I’ve seen countless times when my phone rings with an incoming call from my baby brother.

“Hi, Kyle,” I say, muting the television.

“Yo, yo, Oliver.” Kyle’s cheerful tone comes down the line. “How’s it going?”

“Fine,” I say evasively. It’s not like I’m going to tell him anything about how it’s really been lately. “What’s up?”

“Can’t a bro call his sis just to chat?”

I scoff. “Sure, but normally when you call me, it’s because you want something.” There’s no heat behind the words, even if they are true. And as expected, Kyle just laughs them off.

“Fine, you got me. I was thinking of coming over to catch the guys’ home opener in a couple of weeks and wanted to know if I could crash at your place.”