by E J Pay
My turn finally arrives and I mount my fish. Pisces. Nice. I haven’t seen much of him this entire time. I am glad he is helping with the transports. I am more used to my speaking ability with the training fish and I am eager to communicate with Pisces while we swim. His glistening scales and thick body radiate with pleasure when he sees me. He is a beautiful creature with an iridescent sheen on his mermaid-like scales but the elliptical body of a fish born in the sea. His fins are small, but his large body has the power to cut through ocean currents. I mount the intricate Atlantean saddle strapped around his body, taking hold of the reins.
“Evelyn, you stayed,” I feel a sense of relief coming from Pisces as he communicates with me. “I am pleased.” Little bubbles escape his mouth as he speaks to me in a fish language I innately understand.
“I did stay,” I say in return, “I’ve been working hard and I am super tired, but I’m happy to see you again. You are the first fish I ever spoke to, you know.”
“Yes, I do know. I get to bring many new recruits down. Some, like you, are aware when I speak to them. Most are not. You had a stronger sense of my being on that first trip than I am used to. I have been eager to see if you stayed. I wanted to see how your sea communication skills were progressing. I can tell that you are excelling in the art.”
Yes, I am excelling. Much to the displeasure of Celia. More than once I was able to communicate with the training fish faster than any of the others in her group. That, of course, leads to me mounting faster, riding faster, and doing many maneuvers faster than the others. It gets me noticed and Celia doesn’t like to have the spotlight off her.
“Thank you, Pisces. I am enjoying this new form of communication. It’s like a whole body and mind way to talk. I feel like I am able to fully express my desires and thoughts.”
“Yes. Those who are able to communicate as you do are more useful in battle. I can already sense that your skills will set you apart. Your sea animal partner will be much better able to work with you. Be prepared to be something special here, Evelyn.”
Celia won’t like that. That thought makes me smile.
“What other water skills do you have, Evelyn?” Pisces asks. As a part of our training, we have been undergoing several tests to see which water skills we have. I know there are seven, but I have only been tested for two at this point: communication with sea creatures (obviously I have this one) and water temperature control, which I also have. I can manipulate water temperature at will. I’m not sure how that is helpful, but it does keep me comfortable.
“So far I only know of my animal communication skills and my water temperature communication skills. I haven’t been tested for anything else yet.”
“It is interesting that you would have both communication and temperature skills together. It is an unlikely combination. Most who can communicate with sea creatures have the secondary skill of current control. Those go together nicely when it is time to correct the ocean currents. Then the sea life and sea dwellers can work together to manipulate and move through the current.”
“I remember something about that combination. I haven’t been tested for current control yet, though.”
“Would you mind giving me an example of your temperature control skills?”
“Sure.” As I rest on Pisces’ back, I call to the warmer water above us. It gathers around me. I have been using this skill to keep warm at night. I let the warmth spread around Pisces as well, being careful to not demand too much temperature from the water. I am learning that water is a living thing too and that it will obey my requests when I am reasonable. I only ask for enough warmth to show Pisces my adeptness with temperature control. I feel like I can speak to the water just as I speak to Pisces, by feeling and thinking at the same time. But I do not speak out loud to the water. The water speaks back to me with images and emotions. The warmth I feel as I share with Pisces is like a blanket wrapped around us.
“Evelyn!” I can feel the surprise coming from the fish’s thoughts as I hear his words. “You shared your warmth with me! I expected you to have your warmth just around you. This is remarkable.”
Pride swells in my heart. I like compliments just as much as the next guy, but when it comes from someone like Pisces, it feels even better. Unfortunately, I have not learned to control my communication very well and the pride I feel sweeps toward Pisces as well.
“Ah ha,” he says, “I see you have not yet learned to control all of your communication. I feel your pride and though you feel you have deserved the praise, I would caution you against getting too caught up in that particular emotion. It can only lead to trouble, Evelyn.”
Now I am embarrassed and I quietly close my thoughts. Fortunately we have reached the dismount area.
“Go home and rest my friend,” Pisces urges, “there is much still for you to learn. I hope to see you again on Monday, but if I do not, I am sure we will have time in the week.”
“Thank you, Pisces. I appreciate your friendship and counsel. I will do my best to follow it,” I say with humility. “Enjoy your weekend.” How does a fish enjoy his weekend? I sense Pisces smile at that last thought of mine and he turns to swim back for another recruit. I head forward in the dark water and make my way to the beach.
As I reach the end of the pier, I float to the surface and am surprised by how strange it is to switch back to air breathing again. I have gotten used to breathing underwater. I see several other recruits surfacing near me and swimming to the shore where even more are making their way back to Sunny Isles Boulevard and eventually to Highway 826 and on home to the FIU campus. Everyone is moving forward. It is still too early for the surfers. With the sun barely peeking over the horizon behind me, I can see silhouettes on the shoreline. Two stand out against the rest. They aren’t moving, just standing and facing the ocean. I think for a moment that we will be in trouble, someone has seen this mass of people leaving the ocean. But then I realize that nobody else is bothered by their presence. Maybe they are lookouts making sure others do not spot us. But if that is the case, why are they facing the ocean instead of the land?
I am intrigued and keep my eyes on the pair as I swim closer to the shore. Finally, my feet hit the sand and I can walk in the waves. Others are still swimming and I feel the waves pushing me forward, but I feel like I can talk to the water and keep the waves from overpowering me. I finally reach the point where the waves slide back into the sea and I make my way to Sunny Isles Boulevard. My eyes again find the two figures. One raises an arm and points in my direction and they both start making their way toward me. One runs and I slow down. I know that silhouette very well. I freeze and stand still, nervous. The first figure reaches out to me just as the sun’s blue rays turn early-morning gold and I find myself wrapped in the arms of my mom.
Chapter 14
My mom is here in my apartment, fully aware of all that has happened, all I have done, all I have kept from her. She is being quiet and contemplative as she listens to me. My mom has rarely ever acted shocked by anything I’ve said or done. She listens quietly so she can understand a situation before offering judgment or advice. But this is different. I am telling her a story so wild I can barely believe it. But she doesn’t need to hide shock or tell me I’ve been imagining things. She knows I’m telling her the truth because she has lived it before. My mom once lived in Atlantis. I explain everything from the first time I breathed water to the last time I saw Pisces. I leave out James and Gwen. I’m too frustrated and confused to talk about them. The one I would talk to is Gwen, but how could I do that? I get to table that conversation for the time being.
Gwen was not at the apartment when my mom and I arrived and I know Celia is staying in the ocean for the weekend, so my mom and I are alone for now. The teacher from the History building that day I saw James kissing Gwen is the other person who was on the beach with my mom. Mr. Halcyon. It feels like everyone at FIU knows about this two-worlder thing. Mr. Halcyon helped get us to my apartment and then left me and my mom alone.
He has been in contact with my mom and is the one who got her here in the first place. How he knows her, I don’t know, but now that I have explained myself, I feel like it is time for me to ask some questions of my mom.
“Mom, I don’t get it. You are being so calm about this whole thing. What is going on? What do you know that you are not telling me? Please let me know what you know.” Maybe I don’t have a right to ask these questions. After all, I haven’t been honest with her. But now that I am with her and I know she lived this life before, I want to invade her thoughts. I want her to tell me why she has kept all of this from me. I want her to be uncomfortable as she shares what she has kept secret.
My mom rubs my chilled fingers between her warm hands then puts her arm around my wet shoulder.
“Evelyn, I have come with every intention to explain what you need to know. But right now, you are freezing cold and wet. How about you take a nice, warm shower and get dressed in something comfortable? Then we can go to my hotel. I have something there that will help to explain things.”
I don’t want to move from this spot until she answers me, but I am beginning to shiver in my wetsuit. I reluctantly agree and head to the bathroom. I wash two weeks’ worth of salt deposits from my hair and enjoy the feeling of soft water on my skin. When I finish, I brush through my hair and decide to let it dry wavy for the day. I dress in my favorite jeans and FIU t-shirt, slip on my sandals and head out to the living room to go with my mom. When I emerge, I find my mom on the couch talking with Gwen. Anger swells up inside of me as I remember the last time I saw my roommate and friend – in the arms and lips of my boyfriend. I feel my face turn red and I stand motionless, unsure of what to do. I want to confront Gwen, but my mom is sitting there and talking to her. I can’t figure out how to talk without yelling or move without swinging my fists.
“Ready to go, mom?!” I yell.
“Wow, that was loud,” answers my mom, “Yes, I’m ready to go, but I was just getting to know Gwen,” she says as she rises from the couch. “She has been telling me about her time at FIU.”
Yeah, I am sure Gwen has been very busy with her time. Learning her fun new water skills. Making out with James. Hiding it from me. That must be exhausting. Maybe she has been in Atlantis too. I didn’t see her there and I am grateful for that. Of course, maybe she didn’t decide to come to the ocean at all. Maybe it’s been too fun learning about it from James.
Gwen gives me a smile. She doesn’t have anything to say to me. I have nothing to say to her. Has she not even wondered about me for the entire week? I have been trying to keep her out of my head. Where was she when I got home this morning? Was she still in classes and enjoying a week with the apartment and James to herself? Maybe she just thought Celia and I were gone for good.
I try to calm my thoughts.
“I’m sure she has been busy,” I say to my mom. “Hi Gwen. Sorry, I’ve got to get going. I’m super tired, but I still want to spend time with my mom.” I am keeping my anger at bay, trying to leave the apartment as fast as I can. I am at the door with my keys, my mom’s purse, and my hand on the doorknob. I need to get out. I am out the door and to the parking lot before my mom reaches me.
“Honey, are you all right?”
“I am, mom, I’m sorry. I’m just exhausted.” I can barely look her in the eye. There is too much that I am trying to hide.
“Well, my rental car is over here.” Mom leads me to a red, Mustang convertible. I look at the car with confusion. I don’t think I have ever pictured my mom in anything other than our beat-up truck. It doesn’t feel right. It doesn’t feel normal. But then again, what does? I climb into the passenger’s seat and buckle up. The seat is warm, even though it is a fall morning. As we pull out of the parking lot, I lean my head against the window and nod off.
When we finally get to the hotel, my mom leads me to her room and I fall onto one of the queen beds and sleep. I wake up around 2:00 in the afternoon because my stomach is actually hurting from hunger. We order room service and have to pay extra to get waffles in the afternoon. My mom sits and lets me stuff myself, getting all the food I need. Once I am satisfied and fully awake, my mom pulls some old notebooks out of her bag.
“Evelyn,” she says quietly as she sits by me on the bed, “there is so much for you to know and I feel like the best way to tell you is by letting you read my history for yourself.” She sets the books on the white quilt, turning them so I can see the covers. The notebooks are her journals. There are sticky notes poking out from the pages. She has prepared everything I need. Or at least the things she wants me to see. I start with her first journal, a faded black, hardcover volume with blue waves rolling on the cover. I open to the first sticky note. My mom sits quietly on her bed and lets me read:
Dear Diary,
I will be getting married tomorrow. I didn’t know that such happiness was possible. I thought my world would always be empty after my mom and dad died, but now I can move ahead and create a family of my own. I have chosen well. Kai Marin is hard working and loyal to the cause. We will be a strong force in the city of Atlantis. I feel like I have found a new home.
Marisol for-the-last-time-ever Barnes
Atlantis. It stings to read about her account in a book she’s had my whole life. She could have told me. She could have prepared me. She could have let me know so I could choose. I look up at her, the anger registering in my eyes. It hurts her, I can see, but she nods and encourages me to keep reading. The rest of the story will be there. The black journal has just one sticky note so I pick up the next in the stack. It is glossy and green. It looks like it is covered in seaweed. The pages are coated in wax and the ink has been scratched into them rather than written on them.
Dear Diary,
Contentions are heating up here. Kai’s family is not supporting Adrian’s engagement to Ceto. Her skin everyday grows more and more sleek. The scaled people are beginning to talk about her water abilities. I know she is different, but if we could only help everyone calm down and understand that just because she is showing different traits, it does not mean that she should be feared. I don’t know what to do for her other than continue to be her friend and support.
On a happier note, next week is Kai’s and my first wedding anniversary. We are enjoying sea life and loving living here. I haven’t developed any scales yet, but Kai is getting a few around his hips. It’s kind of funny to see and yet it is wonderful to know we are truly becoming one with the sea. I love him and I love this life we are creating.
Marisol Marin
Dear Diary,
I am pregnant! Kai and I have been wanting to start our family and I am so excited to tell him. I’m going to tell him tomorrow. Of course, we’ll move to the land as soon as the baby comes. We may be there for many years until our child learns to breathe underwater. I didn’t discover my ability until I was twenty. Kai was twelve when he came to the water, so we’ll see what we get. Once he or she is ready, we can all move back to the sea. There is a cute little beach house that I have my eye on for the time being. Still no scales on me, but Kai’s are almost creating a belt below his belly button!
I am so happy!
Marisol
The next journal is a silvery blue. The cover is still sleek and smooth seaweed, but it has retained this false color well. The pages are waxy, like before.
Dear Diary,
Today Ceto told me that she and Adrian wed secretly. She is my best friend and now she is married to Kai’s brother. How am I supposed to keep that secret? Certainly, she understands that I will tell Kai, but I don’t know how they will break the news to the rest of the family. I am afraid for her. Adrian’s upper legs are already beginning to be covered with scales. He is making the change to Merman. Eventually his legs will fuse and he will have a fully functioning fin. But Ceto. Oh Ceto. Her legs are not only shiny but they are changing to a glossy black. I am worried. It can only be eel or octopus at this point. Adrian loves her. He is good to her. Heaven help them both.
Dear Diary,
Just another day in Atlantis. I got some seaweed imported from Japan today. I think I’ll use it in my sea crisps tonight. Secretly, I kind of want a hamburger, but I have to go on land for that. Oh well, just one more week until the big move. We got the beach house we wanted. Kai said, “Anything for his little mermaid.” I will miss this place. I have gotte…
The passage ends and I look up at my mom.
“You’ve reached the last entry,” she says. She looks concerned. She has something to share that worries her. But I need a bit of filling in before I can hear anything more.
“Mom, you’re a sea dweller,” I say – like it’s an accusation.
“I prefer the term two-worlder,” is her response, “I can live on land and I can live in the sea, yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? What…What…What…I can’t even think straight.” I stand and begin to pace the room. “You’ve known this whole time that this was possible! You’ve known that I could be and likely would be a two-worlder? Not only was dad a two-worlder, but YOU were a two-worlder! Why didn’t you tell me?!” I stand in front of her now, my mouth open with nothing to say. My mom straightens.
“The reason I’ve never told you until now is because I came to learn the hard way that the sea is dangerous,” she says to me. I roll my eyes and sigh as I rub my forehead and pace the room. My mom keeps talking. “Your father was taken by the sea and I knew a similar fate awaited you if you discovered your abilities. Your father’s entire family lived in the ocean, Evelyn. I knew they wanted me to raise you with them after his death, but I couldn’t do it. There were too many painful memories and there was too much danger. So, I took you as far away from the ocean as I could to protect you.”