Tiny puff of sea spray
Between surf and horizon
A huge mammal exhales
“There’s a whale!”

Kayt drops her book
Michael appears from the kitchen
Wide window in the dining nook, our portal

We point and words punctuate—
“Whale right!” “Tail! Tail over there!”

But Kyli sees whale-less waters
Her disappointment thick and raw, until
The silhouette of a tail
Appears clear—magic.

She nearly levitates
Shouting with joy
Infecting us all—
Her cousin jumps wildly with her
We clap our hands
Voices high-pitched with excitement
Wonder sparking between us
As our eyes return to the blue
Searching for another breath in the water.