The Sea Taketh (Alex Singer)

by Teresa Rae

  “You know I hate it when you pick me up!” Jen pounds him on the back as he climbs up the bleachers.

  “Yes, and I hate it when you’re not with me.” He puts her down next to his spot.

  “Ah, that’s sweet coming from a giant talking orange.”

  Sven laughs and passes her a bag of cotton candy.

  She opens it as she gestures for me to sit next to her.

  I sigh as I walk slowly up the bleachers. I know Christian is watching, and I avoid looking at him. I take the cotton candy from Jen as I sit down next to her.

  “What’s the score?” I ask, helping myself to the candy.

  “They’re tied at zero,” Sven answers.

  Suddenly, the Pedersens jump to their feet and start doing a crazy cheer in Danish. They wave their arms wildly and stomp their feet

  “You’ll get used to it.” Jen tells me, picking at the cotton candy. “They have different cheers for all the plays. No one has any idea what they’re saying, but the boys have figured out what they want them to do by memorizing the beats.”

  I focus my attention back to the game. The teams are doing a very good job at holding each other off. Each team takes their turn at stopping several attempts at the goals. In the last minute of the game, James kicks the ball down the field. One of his teammates gets the ball and aims for the net. He shoots and scores. They win the game.

  The Pedersens go crazy. They dance and scream. Sven jumps a little too high and falls off the back of the bleachers. He lands with a thud but immediately gets up as the soccer team swarms.

  “We get pizza and Alex’s autograph!” Austin yells.

  “Do you, now?” Christian asks, looking at me.

  “Yes, we do!” he cheers.

  The boys scatter. They grab their gym bags and pull out magazines. Austin and James must have planned this from the beginning. The boys surround me, holding out pens and magazines. I spend several minutes signing the magazines, several t-shirts, and even a pair of socks.

  “Hey, you got your autographs.” Jen breaks up the signing spree. “Let’s go have some pizza.”

  The boys excitedly recount the game with the Pedersens as we cross the street to Tony’s pizzeria. When we step into the building, Sven goes to the counter.

  “Kyle, I hope your dad has enough pizzas to feed this bunch of hooligans,” he says.

  “James told me there was a game tonight so your usual order’s ready.” Kyle laughs, putting a line of pizza’s on the counter. “The shrimp and anchovy are on the left.”

  Henrik pays for pizzas while the boys grab pitchers of soda and claim tables in the front windows. They proudly wave to the occasional passersby.

  Jen takes a pepperoni pizza.

  “Thanks, Kyle,” she says before turning to Sven. “This is for Alex and me. We’re going to the back table. Have fun organizing the boys.”

  Sven laughs. “We just put some soda and a couple pizzas on each table, and they take care of themselves. We’ll be back in a minute”

  We leave the warbling boys behind, and move deeper into the restaurant to an isolated booth. Taking our seats, Jen opens the box and dishes us each a large slice of pizza.

  “How’s the homework coming?” she asks.

  “I was working on a report for Chemistry today,” I say.

  “My dad told me that they’ve already chosen you as valedictorian. Not even Dan and Kyle can keep up with you. You don’t have to work all the time you know. You’ve been gone, like… forever, and I miss you. You can cut back a little and spend more time with me.”

  “I’ll try to make it up to you. I’m sorry I haven’t been around much, but being valedictorian isn’t nearly as important as getting into a good school. I’ve got to sort through the scholarships I’ve been offered.” I change the subject. “Have you decided where you’re going?”

  “At the moment I’m planning to swim for University of Maine, but that may change depending on Sven.”

  “You’re really that serious about him?”

  “Alex, it may seem like we’re always joking around, but Sven and I are extremely serious about each other. He may not be as intense as Christian, but he shows his feelings for me in other ways. Austin and James aren’t my only brothers who adore him. The Pedersens haven’t missed any of my brothers’ games, and they’re always paying for pizza or ice cream afterward. Also, Sven has been tutoring me while you’ve been away. My grades have improved considerably. I know the three of them are eye candy, but they’re really smart, too. Even Mom and Dad like Sven.”

  “But what do you really know about him besides the fact that he’s a merman?”

  “Loads, his dad and mom are agents in the I.P.S. which is the equivalent of our F.B.I. He has an older and younger brother. They like sports as much as my family does, and vacation in the Mediterranean.” She stops, “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I know more about him than you know about Christian, yet you’ve completely written him off.”

  I know she’s right and wonder when Jen got all philosophical. Usually, she’s only worried about scoreboards.

  “Did you two get some soda?” Sven slides into the booth followed by Henrik and Christian. Their hideous orange wigs are gone, and they’ve washed the paint off their faces.

  “I’m glad you cleaned up,” Jen says, sliding over to make room for him. “I can’t take you seriously with orange hair.”

  He laughs as he puts their seafood pizza on the table and fills our glasses. He takes a seat next to Jen. Christian slowly sits down next to me, and Henrik moves a chair to sit at the end.

  “Did you get the boys all situated?” Jen asks.

  “Yes, we’ve got it all worked out with Kyle. The waiters will make sure they have everything they need,” Sven answers before stuffing his face with anchovies.

  “How was your time in Europe?” Christian turns and asks me. His piercing blue eyes make me hesitate for a moment.

  “Between modeling and homework I was constantly in motion, but what I did get to see was beautiful,” I say.

  “You were fantastic in the fashion shows we saw on the internet. When do the new magazines come out?” Jen asks.

  “I have no idea. Colin determines all that.”

  “What is your contract with him?” Henrik asks, sipping soda.

  “Gramps signed it, but Becky told me that since I only work with Colin, he’s being more than generous,” I reply.

  “Sven, a couple kids are throwing crusts.” Kyle peeks in his head from the kitchen.

  “They better not be!” Jen says, jumping to her feet.

  Sven laughs. “Henrik, we better go protect the children from the jellyfish!”

  Leaving me and Christian in silence, the three of them hurry away to stop the food fight.

  I’m aware of the dangerous situation that I am putting myself in, but my scientific curiosity gets the better of me. I ignore the uncomfortable silence as I hesitantly take one of his hands into my lap, carefully removing his glove. I gently run my fingers across his, tracing the webs in between. It is surprisingly soft, like the skin on the back of my neck. Unbuttoning his orange sleeve, I feel the light green fin on the side of his arm. It, too, is extremely soft. I glance at him, and find him looking at me. He lifts his ungloved hand and traces my face with it. In spite of myself, I sigh at his touch.

  He breathes me in deeply. “You don’t know how long I’ve wanted to touch you without the gloves.”

  He removes the other glove and takes my hands in his.

  “You’re very warm,” I say.

  “Yes, it’s so we don’t get cold in the water.”

  “You don’t have scales.”

  “No, we’re mammals.”

  “So, you don’t have a fish tail,” I think aloud.

  He laughs softly. “Humans have vivid imaginations. The fins on our legs have been mistaken for tails.”

  “You don’t need to come up for air?” I ask.

  He shakes his head. “Never, we draw ox
ygen from the water.”

  “You drew the water out of Dan’s lungs, didn’t you?” I say, thinking back to the Senior Ditch.

  He nods.

  “And when I tried to save you in the ocean, I was just . . .”

  “Alexandra, I love you,” he says abruptly.

  “I can’t leave Gramps.”

  “I’m not asking you to,” he interrupts. “Just choose to go to college in Atlantis. You will still be able to visit Thomas.”

  “Is Atlantis one of your cities?”

  “It’s the capital city of the Atlantic Realm and has wonderful universities.”

  A thought pops up in my mind. “But they’re not going to give a scholarship to a human girl, are they?”

  “You don’t need to worry about money.”

  It’s my turn to interrupt him. “I’m not letting you pay for my education. It’s too expensive. Besides, I’ve worked too hard to make sure I can go to school.”

  “If you won’t let me pay for it, you have the money from your modeling,” he says.

  “No, I’ll never touch it. That’s Gramps’ retirement. He can’t fish forever, and I have to think of both our futures.”

  “We will work something out. We have six months before we graduate,” he reasons.

  “Christian, I don’t understand this connection we have, but it’s not enough.” I force myself to let go of his soft, warm hands. “I promised Gramps that I’d be home by eight. I’ve got to get going.”

  “I’ll drive you.” He puts on his gloves and lets me out of the booth.

  “No, it’s only a couple blocks, and I want to stretch my legs.” I button up my coat.

  “Alexandra, I don’t like you walking by yourself, especially after dark,” he says.

  “It’s not your decision.” I smile sadly at him as I slip out the side door and into the night.

  The sky is clear, making it extremely cold. I put a hat on my head before shoving my hands in my pockets. I watch my breath swirl in the air as I walk through the village. Christmas lights twinkle from windows. I usually love this time of year, but Christian has me completely distracted. It is several minutes before I hear the engine behind me.

  A rusty white delivery van, without its lights on, is slowly following me. At first, I try to rationalize that it’s probably someone from school playing a joke on me, but a terrible feeling of foreboding fills my stomach as the van suddenly speeds around the block. I know that whoever is driving the van is trying to cut off my path home.

  I begin running in the opposite direction, to the beach. I sprint as fast as I can over the sand and snow. My boots slow me down so I take them off and carry them. I hear nothing but the waves hitting the shore and my own footsteps as I run to my house.

  Just when I think I’ve lost my pursuer, a hand reaches out of the darkness behind the gate to our house. I duck and hit at it with the boots in my hands. I hear a man swear as the hat disappears from my head. I don’t stop running until I’m safely inside my house with the door locked.

  “Alex, what’s wrong?” Gramps asks, looking at the boots in hand and my wet socks.

  My eyes go to Christian, who’s sitting next to Gramps. It obvious they’re discussing me over a bottle of wine. He’s come to check-up on me like I can’t take care of myself! My stubborn streak of defiance kicks in.

  “Nothing’s wrong!” I say, marching down the hallway.

  “Then why are you carrying your boots?” Christian asks behind me.

  “I can take care of myself!” I shout out my bedroom door before locking it behind me. Fearful that the man who chased me is outside looking for me, I lock my window and shut my curtains before crying myself to sleep.

  9

  Photos

  “Alex, this just came for you.” Gramps puts a thin, black velvet box on my desk.

  I put down my pencil.

  “Who sent it?”

  “You know who sent it. He feels badly about not telling you the truth earlier.”

  “Gramps, why do you two act like you’re best friends?” My frustration with the both of them starts to rise in my chest.

  “Christian and I are good friends. We enjoy having a good glass of wine together.” He sits on my bed, innocently

  “What’s the deal with the wine? Are all mermen alcoholics?” I turn around to face him.

  Gramps chuckles aloud. “Mermen don’t get drunk. Alcohol doesn’t affect them like it does humans. They just like the taste of wine, that’s all.”

  “Maybe that explains the wine, but I’m still confused why you want the two of us together. You do realize that he wants me to go live in the ocean?”

  “And I would fully support that decision.” Gramps pauses to see my reaction before continuing, “You and Christian are good together. I’m an old man, and I just want to make sure that you have someone who can take care of you.”

  “I can take care of myself,” I retort.

  “Alex, none of us can take care of ourselves. When I lost your grandmother, I was grateful to have your mother and father, and when I lost them, I was grateful to have you. Everyone needs someone to take care of them, and I’m not talking about money. For the past seven years, we’ve been taking care of each other. It would be nice to add Christian to our family.”

  “You sound just as serious as he does,” I groan.

  “I am. Christian is the only guy I’ve ever thought was good enough for you. Now, let’s see what he sent you.” He smiles innocently at me.

  “No, I’m going to go give it back to him.” I stand up and grab the box. “I feel like the only sane person left on the planet. Wine drinking mermen!”

  I march out of the house. Being nervous about the night before, I stop at the brightly lit street, checking to make sure it’s empty. Satisfied to find nothing out of the ordinary, I quickly cross it. I climb the front steps and knock loudly on the large wooden door.

  Sven answers the door wearing a fifties pink apron and holding a feather duster. The tiny, ruffled apron looks ridiculous on his large frame.

  “Where is he?” I demand.

  “Up in his room,” he says. “I’ll go get him for you.”

  “Don’t bother.” I push past him.

  Taking the stairs two at a time, I storm onto the second story landing. I don’t know which room is Christian’s, so I start opening doors along the hallway of the old Victorian home. Henrik gives me a look of confusion when I open the library where he is studying a book of maps. I don’t say anything as I shut the door and continue looking for Christian. After looking in a couple empty bedrooms, I finally find him working on a laptop in his bedroom. He jumps to his feet when he sees me, pulling ear buds out of his ears.

  “What do you mean by this?” I hold up the box.

  “Do you like it?” He closes his laptop and smiles. I can tell he’s delighted to see me.

  “I haven’t even opened it. You can’t just give me gifts.” I put it on his preposterously sized bed and place my hands on my hips.

  “Why can’t I give my girlfriend gifts?”

  “I’m not your girlfriend!” I demand loudly.

  “You are most certainly my girlfriend, even if we don’t always see eye to eye.” He stands up and I see that he’s wearing shorts and a t-shirt, exposing his fins. His usual gloves are missing.

  “Christian, I told you that a relationship between us is impossible.”

  “Yes, but not that you don’t want that relationship,” he counters. “However, as I am the merman, I believe I am the expert on merfolk. A relationship between us is very much possible, and I will wait indefinitely for you.”

  “You never listen to me! Why do you have to be so stubborn?” I stomp my foot.

  “Because I love you.” He takes my hand in his and tries to pull me to him.

  I push him away.

  “Whatever we feel for each other changes nothing. It doesn’t matter! I have to go to school so I can get a good job so I can take care of myself and Gramps. The
modeling isn’t going to last forever. So I have to go to school. In order to go to school, I have to have a scholarship. These are just the cold, hard facts of my life. I don’t have the luxury of falling in love with a merman.”

  “You do if you’ll let me take care of you and Thomas.”

  “Christian, quit fooling yourself! I know you have more money than most teens, but there’s no way you can pay for both of us to go to college, take care of yourself, and take care of Gramps. College can be a couple hundred thousand dollars, depending on where I want to go. And Gramps isn’t getting any younger. We’ve been fortunate that he enjoys good health, but I don’t know how much longer that’s going to last. I’m hoping for the best, but I have to plan for the worst. Sometime in the future he might require more help than I can give him. You might think that you can save the day, but your parents won’t want to spend their money on some stranger and her grandfather.”

  “Fortunately I have my own reserves,” he interjects.

  “Didn’t you hear me? We’re talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars, maybe more. You don’t have that kind of money,” I vent in his direction.

  “I’ll prove it to you.” He takes a hold of my hand and directs me to his open laptop.

  “How are you going to prove it?” I ask skeptically.

  He gestures for me to take a seat beside him. I’m amazed at how quickly his fingers fly across his tiny laptop – webs and all. After a couple minutes he stops and shows me the screen.

  “This is my petty cash account that I use when I’m traveling. It makes it easier to monitor my finances with a separate account. If you look at the bottom of the screen you can see that I have more than enough money to care for both you and Thomas in just this one account.”

  I follow his eyes. Thinking my glasses are playing a trick on me: I take them off, clean them with my shirt, and put them back on. My eyebrows furrow.

  “There’s got to be some mistake. It says that you have nearly fifteen million dollars in this account,” I say.