This is the second part to Monday’s post. Here is the link, if you missed reading the first part. Summer with the Elephants
Gavin was walking through the reserve. He had only been on the reserve for 3 weeks now, but he felt like it had been a lot longer. He had fallen in love with the elephants and with the reserve. Gavin had always loved wide open spaces. Had wanted to live in the country as a child, but they lived in the city. Being here in Africa, on the elephant reserve, he felt like he was finally where he belonged, his heart was full.
One day Derek had taken Gavin and Camille out to see more of the reserve. It was huge, over 70,000 acres! There were more than just elephants! Gavin and Camille got to see giraffes and zebras and rhinos. Gavin was impressed at how graceful the giraffes looked as he watched them walk. They didn’t look gangly with their long necks, but elegant instead.
Gavin smiled to himself as he remembered that day. It had given him a chance to get to know Camille better. She had just come a week ago, but she took charge right away. She was so grateful to Derek for letting her come and Gavin could tell that she was going to work as hard as she could to show him that he had made the right decision. She was feisty with a lot of energy.
Camille was very friendly, and Gavin looked forward to working with her for the summer. She was average height, about 5’5 with dark brown hair that seemed to have a bronze glow to it. She had the cutest dimples when she smiled, and dark brown expressive eyes.
“Hey Gavin…” Gavin turned his head to see Derek walking towards him.
“Did you need something?” Gavin asked. I lost track of time walking around out here, just admiring the beauty.
“All is fine, I was just going to ask if you had seen Camille?” Gavin shook his head.
“Well if you see her, tell her I would like to see her please.” Derek said. “Enjoy the rest of your walk. I have been here for 7 years and I still get awed by its beauty.” Derek clapped on him on the shoulder, and then turned to walk back to his office.
Gavin continued on his way. He decided to walk down to the lake. Maybe he would get to see the elephants and rhinos playing in the water. He walked on and when he arrived at the lake he saw that he wouldn’t be alone. Camille was sitting down by the water. She had her back turned, so she didn’t see Gavin coming.
He quietly walked down to her and she turned her head just as he was almost to her. Her face broke out into a bright smile. “Hi Gavin!” she said.
“Hi!” he replied, as he sat down beside her on the grass.
2 elephants were playing in the water. It was Kenna and her baby Bubbles. Bubbles loved the water. He kept spraying himself. Gavin and Camille sat in silence, watching the elephants.
Camille sighed. “This was just what I needed.” she said.
“Sitting down her by the lake?” questioned Gavin.
“No, coming here, this whole summer. A break from the real world.”
Gavin was quiet, seeing if she would say more. She hadn’t talked much about her life back home.
Her face was serene as Gavin looked at her.
“I just had to get away. You know, sometimes, one just needs an escape, right?”
Gavin nodded. “Yes, I understand.” he said, as questions were running through his mind.
Bubbles started walking towards Gavin. Gavin had been working with him these past 3 weeks and felt elated that Bubbles was coming to say HI. He lifted his trunk and sprayed Gavin with the cool lake water.
Camille was laughing, as she stood up. “I just noticed the time, I forgot I had a meeting with Derek. I better go. You may want to lie in the sun a little to dry off. See you at supper. ” she said with a twinkle in her eye.
Gavin watched her walk away, and he couldn’t help but smile as he turned back around and looked at Bubbles. He patted his trunk. Oh yes, this could be an interesting summer Bubbles! Gavin was sure Bubbles smiled, as she nuzzled him with her trunk.
It’s Tanya!!!
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Oooh you didn’t say that!
I do believe I said Camille, didn’t I?? Camille is spelled nothing like Tanya! 😛
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She has changed her identity again and is fleeing the law in Africa.
Oh, and I couldn’t help but notice the lack of hippos in this story.
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But she was heading to Vegas before, remember?
Oh dear I just keep forgetting about the hippos, don’t I! What a shame.
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She had a run in with the mob in Vegas and is now in Africa to make a fresh start. Maybe she’ll open up a B&B.
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A B&B in the middle of a game reserve? 🙂
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Okay Mr. Clever, so if Camille, not Tanya, makes this fresh start, is Gavin included? Does she fall for him?
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Gavin will quickly grow tired of her bossiness and pushing all the work on to him.
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Who said that Camille, NOT Tanya, was bossy? Guess we will see. There may even be new animals, not hippos though. I do believe I said I was going to prove you wrong about a certain hippo. 🙂
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Don’t forget the monkeys and lions. 😉
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Wait. I thought Jade went to Vegas with Ethan.
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And Tanya hitched a ride with them to Vegas. 🙂
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The same Tanya from the jailbreak?
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The same Tanya wondering in the desert yes. The Journey into the Unknown post
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I’m trying to keep up! LOL!
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😊
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Is Bubbles any relation to Daisy?
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Daisy? Who is Daisy? 🙂
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Good grief! I’m new to all of this, so I had to go back and get myself re-oriented… Miss Libby, Jill, Tanya, Lissette, Mr. Fluff and Mr. Nutter, Jade and Ethan… Betsy! (“Daisy” must be Betsy’s long lost spacial-temporal traveling companion from her days on mushroom farm.) Sorry about the confusion.
I love elephants.
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LOL! No problem! Believe me I even get my characters confused, as Tippy and Jason can confirm! I didn’t think I had a Daisy though. 🙂
Oh dear, no Bubbles isn’t related. Betsy causes trouble!
Elephants are amazing! The more I learn about them, the more impressed I am.
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Thanks for humoring my confusion. I’ll drop (disabled… replace the “[DOT]”) links here to a couple of old photos I’ve loaded into WP over the years…
My husband (before we were married) and our dear old friend, Harry (RIP), getting more than they bargained for during an elephant ferry across a river in Thailand:
luminousaether.files.wordpress[DOT]com/2019/10/bath_sm.jpg
And a young “mahout” with his partner at a street market in MaeRim:
luminousaether.files.wordpress[DOT]com/2015/09/young_mahout.jpg
The elephants are as family to the mahouts. Beautiful and amazing animals.
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Sorry, but the pics didn’t show up. They sound interesting. An elephant ferry? I have always liked elephants, but after reading The Elephant Whisperer the true story about an elephant reserve in Africa, I have fallen in love with them even more.
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Very cool animals, and surprisingly intelligent and playful. The elephant ferry decided that it would be fun to play in the water a bit during the crossing. And it was… lots of laughter! My experience in Thailand was only with domestic animals of the Asian variety… just beautiful!
Sorry about the links… I don’t like to post active links, so you always have to mess with the address in the address bar in order for them to open… exchange the “[DOT]” for a… dot.
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Ahh! You had said that, sorry hadn’t followed. Will check the links out. Thanks!
Laughter is always FUN! 🙂
I bet the Asian animals were beautiful!
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Maybe you need to write about a Daisy. She’s a pistol-packin’ mama that rides a horse. Yeah. And, a cowboy hat…yeah. That’s sounds good, yes?
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Hmmm… 🙂
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Just sayin’…
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I have to agree with Jason. Camille is Tanya with an assumed name. You did mention in the story that she needed an “escape.” Also she talks about a “break” with the world. I think she’s referring to her jailbreak.
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Oooh of course you have to agree with Jason, you both are just soo smart!
…mmm…! We shall see how smart you really are. 🙂
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I can’t speak for Jason, but I know that I’m at least as smart as any smartass.
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True. You are a top notch smart ass.
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Thank you. 🙂
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Yes, you and Jason are as smart as each other! 😛
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And we don’t even share a brain.
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Haha! Are you sure about that? There are some days….that I wonder!
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I am at least as smart as any elephant that I have ever known.
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“Haha!”
Yeah I will agree with you there. I don’t know any smart aleck elephants! 🙂
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You must be hanging around with the wrong group of elephants.
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😶🤚
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Derek wants to see Camille because he’s gotten in inquiry from the police.
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Hmmm….I wondered if anyone would pick up on that. Not saying what you said is true, just wondered if someone would think it! 🙂
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Anytime trouble is written into a story, I’m leaning toward police intervention. It’s my background.
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Glad the zebras got a mention. 😉
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You are welcome. They may get even more of one next time. 🙂
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Another female character with a past…should be interesting to see what Camille’s is. I’m guessing the prison system plays heavily in it? 🤣
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Don’t be swayed by the guys thoughts!
Poor Camille! 😄
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My radar is just sensitive to sketchy characters. Jailbirds aside. LOL
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Haha! Well we shall see how good your radar is. 🙂
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Having just seen Madagascar for the thousandth time, it’s always the Zebra that starts the issues, So I’m keeping my eye on the Zebras.
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LOL! Its uncanny how you all can make the right assumptions at times! Wait and see. 🙂
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I was right. She’s great for the job.
Gosh the comments truly are just as fun to read (like you said) as the story. ❤ 😂
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Yes, you were right!
LOL! Yup! The “stooges” are crazy! And in case you are confused, Tsnya was a main character from another series of mine that appears to be never-ending!
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Oh, so that’s why. 🙂
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Yes. I have tried several times to be rid of Tanya but she keeps coming back! She broke out of prison twice! Now she’s headed to Vegas to hopefully, successfully get lost in the crowd. 🙂
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Sounds exciting! I’m too lazy to search now, but I’ll look for her story later 🙂
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reminded me of another story about an elephant sanctuary- they are amazing creatures
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