TRITON BAY TRIBUNE
NEW AQUARIUM EXHIBIT OPENS IN LOVING MEMORY OF SHELLY ANDERSON
It’s been six months since local middle schooler Shelly Anderson went missing on the day of the aquarium break-in. The reason for her disappearance remains a mystery, though the police believe the two events must be connected.
MISSING signs, weather-beaten and yellowing, can still be seen posted to telephone poles and buildings throughout Triton Bay. Even the promise of a $10,000 reward hasn’t turned up any leads on Shelly Anderson’s whereabouts.
This week, her disappearance was officially filed in the state of Califo
rnia as a cold case.
But somehow, in all this, Shelly’s family’s aquarium has endured, perched above the ocean like a castle. Today a special occasion drew in a crowd.
Her parents, the owners of the aquarium, stood before the main exhibit with their young son, Dawson. They all clutched an oversize pair of scissors. Behind them, a turquoise ribbon with a big knotted bow stretched across the front of the massive tank, which was draped with a curtain.
While today was a day of remembrance for their missing daughter, it was also a celebration of what’s in store.
“Welcome to the unveiling of our newly refurbished main attraction,” Mr. Anderson said with a smile to the crowd. He gave his wife’s hand a gentle squeeze.
Ms. Anderson spoke next. “While we are saddened over the disappearance of our daughter, we remain hopeful that she will return one day.”
“An anonymous donor funded this new exhibit,” said Mr. Anderson. “Today, we dedicate it to Shelly. We love you, honey. We’ll always love you. We hope you come home.”
The somber crowd cheered. The emotion in the room was palpable. Some of the local schoolgirls, presumably friends of Shelly’s, cried and dabbed at their eyes with tissues.
One girl, Kendall Terran, later stated, “She was my very best friend.” After sobbing for several seconds, she asked, “You got that? Like hashtag BFF. By the way, I’m also the captain of the swim team.”
Meanwhile, another friend, a boy named Enrique, stood with his older brother. Upon being questioned, he couldn’t remember much from that fateful night. He was discovered washed up on the beach. It was almost like his memory was stolen.
He just knows his friend is gone.
“Without further ado . . .” Mr. Anderson said, and then together, as a family, they cut the ribbon.
The curtain fell away.
Behind them, in the exhibit, a bronze statue of Shelly stood where the trident once was. A small green fish darted around the statue’s face, then swam up to the glass.
The fish bumped up against the glass, drawing the attention of the boy, Dawson.
He clutched a curious spiral seashell, a keepsake, he stated, that once belonged to Shelly. They found it at the bottom of the exhibit the day she went missing. He pressed his face to the thick glass, peering at the fish.
“Hey, fishy, want to come home with me and live in my aquarium?” he said. “Mommy, I found a new pet!”
Ms. Anderson nodded, and the family held each other. The ceremony was a peaceful one, ending with guests laying flowers against the glass as another day in Triton Bay came to a serene close.