“I need to see you in my office,” Lance said then hung up. Maria looked at a coworker. “He’s at it again,” she said, as she prepared herself for the unexpected. Lance had not been himself, complaining about things easily resolved by just asking for help. He had a pile of contracts with old clients on his desk. He was going through their information and the reason they no longer did business with Bandz. Maria walked to his office. She had been on the receiving end of his frustration. No one knew why he was so stressed out. Some speculated he was having trouble with his wife but no one knew for sure. Only a rumor started by one of the interns who stated her mother worked at Tiny Tots. She told several coworkers that Lance had walked in and took Isla from the childcare center weeks prior and she never returned.
“Yes, Mr. Reed,” she said, as she opened his office door. “Can you get me some coffee and then send me all the email correspondents between Robert Wiggins and the company Digitax. I need it as soon as possible,” he said. Maria sighed loudly. Lance noticed. “I’m sorry. Am I asking the impossible,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. He was behaving out of character.
Maria entered and shut the door behind her. She sat in the chair across from him. Tension in the office was mounting. She didn’t get him coffee and she didn’t like the request to pull someone’s emails. He had gone too far. And she was ready to quit. “Mr. Reed. I can see you are under stress. We all can see it. But you are making it impossible to work here. I have been here since your father hired me over ten years ago. And honestly, this is the first time I have ever not wanted to be here,” she said. Lance glanced up. He dropped his pencil on the desk and sat back.
“Then leave,” he said. Maria sat straight. “What!” she replied. ‘Leave if it’s getting to be too much to deal with. You make more than any secretary in California’s history. I can replace you,” he said. Maria scoffed.
“How dare you Mr. Reed! How dare you. I don’t deserve that. I have worked tirelessly for you. Been there for every request. Worked overtime when I should have been home with my family. I have went above and beyond. You do not get to verbally assault my character just because you are frustrated. Instead of fixing your problems, you have been badgering the employees. I hope whatever is bothering you resolves itself quickly before you run the entire office away,” she said, as she stood and stormed out.
Lance dropped his head. She didn’t deserve that. And he couldn’t do anything else at that moment. He was falling apart. Lark’s words wouldn’t stop penetrating his being. But Maria had struck him in the heart. He thought about her words. She was right. He was being unfair. He was being an ass and directing negative energy to people who had done nothing. It was Fin he was angry with. And she was nowhere around. She leaped in the water before he could ask her the things he needed to know. And it would be a while before he would get the chance. Lance stood up. His pride and anger had to take a back seat to what was right. He wasn’t this guy. The employees he had were loyal. Solid. And he had been unkind for weeks while they grunted and took it. He was wrong. And Maria deserved better.
Lance hurried to the door. Maria’s chair was empty. He glanced around, then bolted through the exit. He ran to catch her, praying she hadn’t pulled off. He could see her walking through the parking lot. It was a relief. He owed her an apology. And he was prepared to beg her to stay.
“Maria wait,” he shouted. She turned around. She was old enough to be his mother. His disrespect of her cut deep. “No Mr. Reed. I won’t wait. I quit. I cannot continue to watch you circle the drain. You are drowning in your own sorrow. Taking out whatever has happened on people who care about you. I won’t allow it,” she said. Lance continued towards her. “Please! Just give me a moment,” he pleaded. Maria stopped and turned around. She waited for him. There was desperation in his voice. And he deserved an ear. It was the least she could do.
“What is wrong with you Mr. Reed? Something is going on. I know you. This is not you. What is it?” she said. Lance took a moment. She was asking him a question that would drum up a bucket full of emotions and tears. “My life is falling apart. I’m drowning right before your eyes. And it is hard to deal with it. But even so, you didn’t deserve that. I need you. You get paid the most because you deserve every penny. You are irreplaceable and I don’t want you to leave,” he said. Maria sighed. “Anything can be worked out. It isn’t the end of the world,” she said. Lance hesitated. He looked like a man with the weight on the world on his shoulders. Maria saw the wheels churning. He had more to say. Something at the root of it all. His eyes took on a different look. Maria waited.
“My wife has left. And I don’t know when she will be returning. We are having issues. And it’s just…hard. Her leaving had left me with a huge responsibility and I can’t do what I need to do at work, because I have my cook doubling as a babysitter. And she is too old to keep up with two toddlers,” he said. Maria walked up to him. She knew a little bit about that type of pain. She too experienced being abandoned by a spouse.
“It will all work itself out. All you can do is forge ahead. It’s in the hands of a higher power. Come on. Let go back inside. I have a babysitter for you. My youngest. Her name is Rebecca. She is nineteen. Definitely young enough to keep up with your youngsters. And she is a sweetheart. She is my baby. I can send her there. She can start immediately. Then you can stop worrying and get back to normal,” she said, as she glanced at her boss. They walked through the door of the office. Maria sat her purse down and followed him to his office.
“I’m not going to ask why you won’t send your babies to daycare. I never did. I had my reasons. I guess you have yours. But this is not a problem Mr. Reed. You have to use the resources that are right in front of you,” she said. Lance was elated. A weight had been lifted. “Thank you. And I’m sorry,” he said, stopping at his office door. Maria smiled. “You’re welcome. Now let me get you that coffee and then get to work retrieving those emails.”
“Where’s my girls,” Lance yelled, as he walked into his home after a long day. Maria’s daughter Rebecca emerged from the kitchen, with the girls running behind her. “Daddy,” Isla shouted as she ran up to him. Lance handed Rebecca several hundred dollars then walked with her to the door. “I can be here tomorrow by seven Mr. Reed,” she said. “That’s perfect,” he replied, as he opened the door and watched her to the car. Isla stood in the door waving. Nimah was quiet but Lance could tell she was happy.
“Did you like her?” he asked, looking down at them. “Yeah. Nimah likes her too,” Isla replied. Lance glanced out as she pulled off. He was glad it all worked out. Rebecca seemed nice. Trustworthy. It was a load off. He had enough to be worried about with Fin still gone and no idea when she would be returning. “How about some ice cream?” he said. “Yay,” Isla cheered, as she ran ahead of him into the kitchen.
Lance made three bowls then sat at the table with them while he looked at his phone. “Damn,” he mumbled. “What’s wrong daddy,” Isla asked. Lance looked up. “Oh nothing baby girl. Daddy’s just missing mommy. Eat your ice cream,” he said. Isla scooped up a huge chunk then put the spoon back in the bowl and sat back. “You want the strawberry flavored kind instead?” he asked, after noticing she wasn’t really eating it. “No. I like this one too,” she said then paused. “Mommy won’t answer me anymore daddy,” she said.
Lanced paused. “What you say sweetheart?” Lance said looking perplexed. He wasn’t sure he heard her right. “Mommy won’t talk to me. Is she mad?” she replied. Lance sat his spoon down. She had his undivided attention. “What do you mean Issie?” he asked. Isla sensed his stress and shut down. “Nothing,” she said, looking as though she were in trouble. Her words were crystal clear. He just wasn’t sure he completely understood. Then a flashback. A memory of their past entered his thoughts. He remembered Isla telling him what Fin was saying even though Fin never spoke a word. Lance relaxed his posture. He could tell she was withdrawing from the conversation. But he needed her to open up to him. They were mermaids. He
was no longer in denial. That meant they had abilities. And it was finally clear to him what Isla’s was saying. But he wanted her to confirm what he suspected.
He stood up and kneeled in front of her. Isla looked at her father. He rubbed her small hand. He wanted her to relax and not feel as though she were revealing a bad thing. Fin kept secrets. Things about herself. Gifts she possessed. Maybe in an attempt to be more human. Life on earth’s land had taught her a thing or two about being different. Humans didn’t like different. They shunned it. Moved away from it. And Fin was as different as one could be. Telepathy was another nermein trait that made her stand out. It was something humans weren’t capable of doing. Fin had talked about how being different made her feel. That she was normal back in her world and abnormal there. Lance understood her now. It was a striking reveal. He didn’t get what she meant at the time she said it. But he did now.
“Tell me what you meant. You’re not in trouble. Can you talk to mommy?” he asked. Isla took her time. She soon nodded her head yes. Lance stood up. He couldn’t contain himself. He weighed his words. Slowed his breathing. Nimah stared at him. He glanced at her then looked back at Isla.
“Oh that’s alright. I knew that. Mommy told me that. I just forgot. Can you call to her now?” he asked. Isla relaxed. “I did. She didn’t say anything,” she replied. “Try again. Call to her now. Tell her your speaking for me,” he said. Isla perked up. Her father’s request had her feeling important. Special. “Okay daddy,” she said, as she looked off. Isla stared at the wall. Lance watched her. She went into a daze. Minutes went by. Suddenly she burst out in frustration.
“I can’t hear her! I can’t,” she cried. Lance picked her up and comforted her. “It’s ok. I’m sorry. We’ll try later. Don’t get upset,” he said. Isla laid her head on her father’s shoulder. He rubbed her back then looked down at Nimah. Her eyes were wise. As if she had all the answers. Nimah got down and went into the grand room. Lance carried Isla and followed behind her. She walked over to a picture of them and took it off the table. Lance put Isla down. “That’s me and mommy,” he said, curious as to why she grabbed the photo at that moment. Nimah pointed to Fin then ran up the stairs and went into Fins personal belongings she kept in a box. She grabbed and old tattered picture. It was of a baby, a mother and father. The baby had bright red hair and freckles and was sitting on the woman’s lap. Lance was confused. He wondered where Fin got the picture. He pondered its significance. The background suggested the photo was taken years earlier. And unless Madaka had similar surrounding, it was taken in his world.
“Thank you pumpkin,” Lance said, as he kissed little Nimah on the head. “It’s bedtime,” he announced, as he took his daughters by the hand and escorted them to their room. Their side by side, princess beds were neatly made. The girl climbed in. Lance kissed them goodnight. He turned the nightlight on and walked out. He could hear movement. He peeked in. Isla had climbed into Nimah’s bed with something in her hand. Lance didn’t want to interfere. His girls were close. Isla was very nurturing and could soothe her sisters restless and sometimes nervous spirit. He waited and listened. And soon he heard the familiar words.
Isla had begun reading her a book. He had taught her well. Some of the words were from memory. Others, from her father’s teachings. Lance smiled. It was the book he’d read to her every night when she was Nimah’s age. The book titled Pretty Fin.
He leaned against the wall, listening to the story as if hearing it for the first time. Lance glanced down at his hand. The picture of an unknown family was clutched firmly between his fingers. He was sure they were some relation to Fin. And something about that fact was comforting. Lance looked at the family as he listened to Isla read. It warmed his heart to hear the story again. Isla started at the beginning. Lance wiped his eyes. It was surreal. A repeat of the past in all its pain and glory. The story that got him through nearly two years without Fin. And it would have to suffice again. Lance walked to his room and closed his door. This was their time. That was their story.
Q
ueen Rasbora sat at the dining table having breakfast with her daughters Princess Darbee and Princess Ellena. Fin entered with a huge smile. She was rested and ready to take on the world. “Your Highness…Sit. Have something to eat before you go,” Rasbora said.
“Good morning Your Majesty,” Princess Ellena chimed in. Darbee waved and greeted Fin. She remembered the trip she and her mother took to Mojarro. The time they travelled on official business regarding Prince Andreus. It was a special time. A day she never forgot. She rarely got a chance to travel being so closely guarded under her mother’s protective, self-imposed barriers. Barriers that extended to her daughters. But the trip to Mojarro was the vacation she never had. And she was impressed with Fin’s graciousness and hospitality.
Fin sat down at the table. “Princess Darbee. We’ve met before. You are still just as beautiful as the day I saw you. And you Princess Ellena…You are striking as well. Where are your husbands? Surely every male in Piratchu is clamoring for your attention and hand in marriage” Fin stated. The queen smiled then cleared her throat. Fin watched the life drain from the women’s faces. It was a touchy subject. They felt imprisoned. And Fin sensed the tension.
“Oh, pardon my manners. I’m sorry. I was not trying to pry. You two are just so beautiful,” she said. The queen wiped her mouth and interjected. “Yes. And they will be married one day. I just need to find suitable mates,” Rasbora replied. Fin looked intently at Ellena. Then at Darbee. She smiled then took a bite of her food. It was a repeat of what she had went through as a young woman. The sisters were shy but Fin could see fire in their eyes. The same fire she had. They were free spirits and Rasbora was hindering their freedoms out of fear. She was trying to select a mate instead of allowing the women to select their own husbands The same as Zander had done to her.
“Sit straight Darbee. Stop slouching. You will never catch a husband that way,” she said to her shy daughter. Darbee adjusted herself, clearing her throat and taking notice to one of the guards standing against the wall. Princess Ellena was more reserved but still had the look of a woman who burned passionately inside. Fin imagined it must have been hard being the daughter of a woman so critical of everything and everybody. Rasbora had two adult daughters and neither one was married.
They were in their mid-twenties and past the age that when one would be betrothed to someone of equal standing. There were plenty of wealthy families in Piratchu. Families with young sons still available. But the queen was having trouble letting go. And even more trouble trusting that her girls would be alright. Her daughters resented the lack of drive at finding them a husband. Rasbora wasn’t trying to be so difficult. But her own marriage was a disaster. Their father was a drunken, aggressive and cruel nermein, who Rasbora had tired of quickly after they married. When he died after eating poisonous ruffs that he mistook for berries, Rasbora moved on from it and never looked back. She blamed her father for her unhappiness stating he selected a man she could not love. But she had two beautiful daughters from the union. Her pride and joy.
“This meal was exquisite. Thank you for everything. I must get going. The men will be waiting on my return,” Fin said as she stood. Darr entered the room with his men and stood off to the side waiting on Fin. The queen stood up and walked up to Fin. “You are welcome. I wish you the victory I know you will have. Remember everything I said. Forget nothing. The future of Madaka depends on it. I wish I could be more helpful. But the citizens of Piratchu would never forgive me. And the voices of my ancestors have spoken on the matter. Good luck Fin,” Rasbora said. Fin reached on the side of her clothing and pulled something she had tucked away in the folds of her clothing. “I brought you a gift,” she said, pulling the large, polished yellow canary diamond ring from her side. Rasbora’s eyes bulged. She held out her hand and Fin placed the rare stone in the palm of her hand.
“The yellow stone! Oh my. I don’t know what to say,” she said, as she gazed at the stunning
gem. Fin could see she had made the queens morning much better. “I remember my mother saying how much you adored her ring. I want you to have it,” she said. Rasbora was overwhelmed at Fin’s generosity at such a trying time. It was a huge honor to be given something that belonged to a parent that had perished. Most nermeins held onto to such valuable’s, passing them down through the generations. “I can’t take this Fin. As much as I want it… I can’t. This was your mother’s,” she said. “Yes…And now it is yours.”
Queen Rasbora hugged Fin. It was the most remarkable gesture. “Go! Be safe. Leave now before the mid-day light. He sends spies. I know he does. No one knows you are here. But he can’t be trusted. And he doesn’t trust me,” she said. Fin gave a reassuring nod then left. Rasbora looked back at her daughters. There was something different in her gaze. Darbee and Ellena looked at one another. Rasbora stared off. She hoped Fin would prevail. Her life flashed before her. And she felt guilt at not sending men.
Rasbora walked away, clutching the ring in her hand. Darbee walked quickly down the hall to the door. “Darbee wait! Where are you going,” Ellena said, as she followed. She opened and watched as Fin’s chariot pulled off. Fin waved. The sister’s waved back. They were in awe. They had been in the presence of the Queen of Mojarro. The woman who lead a battle and changed the hearts of nermeins all over the world. Sex and intimacy were now a way of life. Marriage was now something to look forward to. No longer just a duty.
They had heard all the stories from their mother. Fin was a woman to admire. The young women wanted to be like her. Fin had unknowingly touched their souls. Darbee was enlightened. She no longer wanted to wait on her mother. She wanted to be like Fin. Go out into the world and make her own mark. Love who she wanted to love. Ellena could see the change in her younger sister. “She is remarkable just like you said. She is fearless. I admire her. We have to help. Madaka needs her,” Ellena said.
Pretty Fin- Raging Seas Page 16