The Sea Taketh (Alex Singer)

by Teresa Rae

  “I’m fine. I didn’t think merfolk needed airplanes?” I raise an eyebrow.

  “We usually don’t because we travel much faster in water, but, at times, we must travel across land.”

  “If travel by water is faster, why are you flying?”

  “Because you are flying,” he says. He gestures to the doctor behind him. “I want Ana to give you a checkup before we takeoff. I’ll send in Jen to help.”

  He leaves and Jen comes to aid in the checkup. The blankets are removed, and Jen helps me take off my pajama bottoms. Ana inspects my calf first. It is healing nicely. When she removes the bandages from my hip, air escapes her lips.

  “Alexandra, I was told this wound was bad, but I didn’t understand the gravity of the situation until now,” she says. “I’m surprised you allowed us to move you.”

  “I’m better here than I was in the hospital,” I say.

  “I completely agree.” She opens a medical bag. “There are many things we can do for you of which humans are incapable. I am going to treat the wound with a special hot pack. It will speed up healing and remove the swelling. However, it is very painful, so I will give you something to help you sleep while I work.”

  “I hate to miss the flight,” I lament.

  “It is a very long flight. You will be awake before it is over,” she says. She puts a needle into the IV in my arm, and I fall asleep.

  * * *

  “Alexandra, how are you feeling?” Christian strokes my hair as I wake up.

  “Did I miss the flight?” I carefully sit up, expecting pain. When it doesn’t come, I pull back my blankets and scrutinize my wounds. The one on my calf is healed with a very faint scar, and my injured hip looks considerably better. The tissue around the wound has returned to normal, and the bullet hole is scabbed over.

  “How does it feel?” he asks.

  I carefully lift the leg and stretch my muscles. “Wonderful! How did she do it?”

  “Ancient merfolk remedy,” he answers, tucking me back into the blankets.

  “I want to get up.” I pull the blankets off. “I want to explore this plane.”

  “Ana wants you to stay off your feet for now.” He wraps the blankets around me, again. “You will start physical therapy, tomorrow.”

  I cross my arms and pout. He chuckles before removing my oxygen tube so he can kiss my pouting lips. I pull away. He chuckles again as he takes my face in his hands and passionately kisses me.

  “How is the patient?” Ana asks as she opens the door. When she sees us kissing, she drops a tray of medical equipment. Henrik, Sven, and Jen are instantly there to pick up the tray. Sven shuts the door behind him as Ana walks into the room. She and Christian begin an extended discussion in Danish which switches to a series of blowing air through their lips. At length, Ana nods.

  “Thank you,” Christian says.

  “You’re welcome,” Ana says. She turns to me. “Alexandra, what would you like for lunch?”

  “Can I get up and go eat with everyone else?” I ask hopefully.

  “Yes, that will be fine as long as you keep on your oxygen tube and stay off your feet. I will send for Jen and have a place prepared for you.”

  Jen finds my bags, and helps me choose out a green sweater and loose, black skirt. Slippers are put on my feet. Feeling like a scrounge, I brush my hair and put on a little makeup.

  One of the orderlies carries me to a portion of the plane with a table and chairs. Christian, Sven, and Henrik are waiting for me and Jen. They have plates of steaming seafood and goblets of wine in front of them.

  “What’s on the menu?” I ask as the orderly sets me down on a chair.

  “What would you like?” Henrik asks.

  “I’ve been in the hospital, everything sounds good to me.”

  Sven blows through his lips and a mermaid brings Jen and me matching plates of fresh fruit, rice, and lobster tails. Another mermaid pours us large glasses of orange juice.

  “Thank you,” I say as I picked up my fork. “When will we arrive?”

  “In a just over an hour,” Henrik says as he looks out the window.

  “Are you excited to see your girlfriend?” I smile at him.

  “Sonia and I have been married for eighty-six years,” he smiles back at me. “And, yes, I’m very excited to see her.”

  “I guess a high school senior can’t have a wife.” I laugh. Sven, Henrik, and Jen join me.

  Christian is distracted by his phone. He’s texting someone.

  “I’m sorry,” he says as he puts the phone away. “I’m just tying up some loose ends.”

  I begin eating my food and find it delicious. Jen must think the same because she wolfs hers down, to Sven’s delight. Henrik and Sven soon empty their plates, but Christian doesn’t touch his as he looks over a pile of papers on the table.

  Henrik blows through his lips and a tray of cheese, crackers, and caviar is placed on the table. He and Sven take a serving of the food before it is placed in front of Christian. He glances over the food before he picks up his fork. He blows softly before he begins to eat.

  A tray of desserts is immediately brought to the table.

  “What would you like, Miss Singer?” a mermaid asks.

  I choose an éclair. She takes the tray to Sven and Henrik who choose several different desserts. Jen takes a dish of chocolate mousse.

  “How can you guys afford to fly like this?” Jen asks while digging into her dessert.

  “One of the perks of the job,” Sven says. He tears into a fruit tart.

  “And what exactly do you three mermen do?” I ask. At their ages and with their bank account, they must have jobs.

  “We are employed by the government,” Christian answers.

  “Government employees don’t fly around in jets,” Jen says.

  “Maybe in the human world, but we’re merfolk,” Sven replies.

  “So you’re stinking rich?” Jen asks. I’m surprised she hasn’t asked this before. Apparently so is Sven. He smirks at her.

  “Yes, we have money,” he says.

  “And you’ve let us think you were going to break the bank?” She pinches the fin on his arm.

  Sven laughs heartily as he pulls away his arm. “I tried to tell you, but I’ll make it up to you. What do you want?”

  “You can make it up to me. I forgot my toothbrush,” Jen says with a shrug of her shoulders.

  Sven laughs hilariously. He picks up Jen and puts her on his lap. “My Stinging Jellyfish, you can have all the toothbrushes you want!”

  “I only need the one,” she says as she continues to eat her mousse.

  “Where will we be staying?” I ask before putting the final bite of my éclair in my mouth.

  “In a cottage by the seashore,” Christian answers.

  11

  Denmark

  When Christian said we were staying in a cottage, I thought of the tiny summer cottages along Maine’s coast. When the limo pulls up to the Pedersens’ cottage, I see that cottage is the wrong word for it. Although it is charming like a cottage, it’s the wrong size. The house is enormous.

  “You call that a cottage?” Jen exclaims as she looks out the window of the limo.

  “It is a cottage compared to our home in the ocean,” Sven says matter-of-factly.

  “You could fit our whole town in there!” She whistles as a merman steps forward and opens the car door.

  The orderlies are there with a wheelchair to take me into the cottage. Fresh pine garlands and a gigantic Christmas tree decorate the foyer. I am wheeled down an elegant corridor lined with statues, paintings, and antiques. After passing several doors, the orderlies turn right and open an ornate door. The room is breathtaking. The outside wall is made of glass and overlooks the ocean. An enormous canopy bed fills the far corner. It’s covered in a thick duvet and decorative pillows. A Christmas tree adorns the corner to my right.

  “What do you think?” Christian asks.

  “It’s beautiful,” I answer
, astonished.

  He smiles and opens double doors on the left side of the room. A steaming pool is in the next room. “Our rooms are connected to the pool,” he says.

  “The tour is over,” Ana walks into my room. “The patient needs her wounds hot packed, again.”

  The orderlies lift me into the bed as Ana organizes her medical equipment. Christian sits next to me and takes my hand.

  “I’ll be here when you wake up,” he says.

  “Please call Gramps to let him know that we made it safely.”

  “Of course, I’m sure he will want to know,” he says before kissing my hand.

  * * *

  “One, two, three, four, five,” counts Ana. “Extend your hip.”

  I grimace as I lift weights with my legs. The past hour seems so much longer than sixty minutes. Sweat pours off my forehead as I go through my physical therapy routine. When I woke that morning, the wound was healed and the oxygen tubes were gone, but my muscles had atrophied during my time in the hospital. Ana got me out of bed before breakfast to begin to strengthen my muscles.

  “Do another repetition,” Ana orders.

  I take deep, even breaths as I obey.

  “I think it’s time for our patient to eat breakfast,” Christian walks into the room. He is barefoot and wears a short sleeve t-shirt and pair of shorts, not caring about his fins showing. He looks incredibly hot.

  “I gave the cook Alexandra’s diet specifications,” Ana says. “I will be back each morning for her physical therapy.”

  “No more wheelchair?” I ask hopefully.

  “No, you get this instead.” Ana goes to a closet and pulls out an old lady walker. “We don’t want you falling.”

  “That’s just plain terrible,” I moan.

  “It will help strengthen your muscles, so don’t complain. I’ll see you tomorrow,” she says as she goes out the door.

  I take hold of the hideous walker and stand. “I’ll just take a quick shower before we eat.”

  “A bath has already been drawn for you.” He walks beside me.

  “Are we doing anything special today that I need to dress for?”

  “We are absolutely plan free,” he says, walking me to the bathroom where two mermaids are waiting to assist me.

  I enjoy a hot bath and dress in a loose sweater-dress.

  When I see my walker, I laugh. It’s decorated with Christmas decorations including bright, blinking lights. It’s an atrocity but hilarious. Obviously Christian had some of his numerous servants extend the holiday spirit to my walker.

  Everyone is already enjoying a continental style breakfast when I push my walker into the dining room. Sven and Jen are talking about a water volleyball game they had played. Henrik is reading a newspaper. Christian is texting on his phone.

  “Girl, how are you feeling?” Jen says when she sees me. She smiles when seeing my walker.

  “Wonderful, I just had the best bath.”

  “I’m glad.”Christian puts away his phone. “Your breakfast is waiting for you.”

  A merman butler, of sorts, pulls out a chair for me. I am served a plate of protein-rich foods. I begin with an omelet.

  “When will we get to sightsee?” Jen asks.

  “As soon as Alex is cleared by Ana,” Sven answers. “But we have plenty to do here. We’ll have to play some soccer.”

  “Do you think you can keep up, fish boy?” Jen smirks.

  “I’ll pretend to let you win, human.”

  “You did not just use the H-word!” She grabs the fin on his arm and squeezes.

  “Mercy!” he says before pulling his am away. He picks her up and throws her over his shoulder. “I think I’ll go toss you in the pool to teach you not to mess with merfolk!”

  “And if you did, you would have to sleep with one eye open for the rest of your life!” Jen retorts.

  Sven booms with laughter as he puts her back down on her chair. He pats her head and returns to his seat. “Ah, my little Stinging Jellyfish!” he says with endearment.

  “How is Gramps?” I ask Christian.

  “He’s fine. He hired a security company to install alarms, and cameras on your house. They are coming today.”

  “How is the search going?”

  “So far, nothing but dead ends, but he will show up. It’s just a matter of time.” He puts a hand on my knee. I place mine on top of his.

  “Henrik!” exclaims a lovely, red-headed mermaid as she runs into the room. “I just heard you were here!”

  “Sonia!” Henrik jumps to his feet and kisses her. “It was late when all the accommodations were made. I’ve been trying to call you.”

  “And this must be Sven’s Jen?” Sonia smiles at her. “I’ve heard so much about you!”

  “You’re all Henrik ever talks about!” Jen laughs before pointing to me. “And I’m sure he’s told you all about Alex?”

  Sonia turns around. A contagious smile graces her lips. “You must be a friend of Jen’s?”

  “I am,” I return her smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet Henrik’s wife.”

  “I’m so happy that Jen brought you with her,” Sonia says. “It gets a little dull here at the cottage with all these mermen.”

  “Actually, Alexandra is with me,” Christian says matter-of-factly. “She is my declared.”

  Sonia laughs and shakes her head as if he is telling a joke. Christian gently puts his lips to mine. Sonia sits down, and covers her gapping mouth with her webbed hands.

  Christian stands up and blows faintly. Merfolk appear out of seemingly nowhere. My food is put on a tray. A mermaid takes my walker away. Christian gently picks me up and cradles me in his arms.

  “We’ll be in my room if you need us,” he says as he walks out of the dining room.

  “What was that all about?” I whisper to him as he walks down the corridor.

  “I think it’s best if they have a few moments to gossip about us without us present. I have been a bachelor a very long time. Others may find our relationship a surprise.”

  * * *

  I quietly slip into the water, hoping not to wake anyone. Moving slowly, I swim the length of the pool. It feels wonderful to stretch my body as I move my arms and legs. The moon shines through the glass illuminating the still water. The crash of waves can be heard outside. I am just about to make a turn when I hit into someone.

  “I thought you might try this,” Christian says.

  “Are you the pool police?” I ask, moving the water out of my face.

  He chuckles. “No, I have no problem with you swimming as long as you’re not alone.”

  “I’m not alone. You’re here.” I turn around and swim in the opposite direction. He easily catches up with me.

  “You are a very good swimmer,” he says as he swims next to me.

  “You say that to all the girls,” I tease. A thought comes to mind and I stop swimming. “How many girls did you date before me?”

  He swims very close to me.

  “None,” he says.

  “You are over five hundred years old and you expect me to believe that you’ve never dated anyone else?”

  He swims around me. “I was never interested in anyone before I met you.”

  “But girls flock to you wherever you go. You’ve had to date a few of them?”

  “No, not one.”

  “Then you’ve had a lot of one night stands.”

  “Definitely not!” He shakes his head in disgust. “I already told you that I take my relationships too seriously to treat such important things casually.”

  I raise an eyebrow.

  “Do you doubt me?” he asks soberly.

  “You kissed me before we even went out on a real date.” I submerge my head.

  “Only because I was completely smitten with you and couldn’t control myself.” Christian’s voice sounds in the water.

  I resurface. “How did you do that?” I ask with amazement.

  “I am a merman,” he answers.

  “Do
it again.” I go back under.

  “Alexandra,” he says as he gazes at me under the surface. “Yours is the only hand I’ve ever held. You were my first kiss. In all my years I’ve never met your equal.”

  I go up for air. “That is so cool!” I say as I wipe water out of my face.

  “Did you even hear a word I said?” he asks.

  “Every one,” I say, putting my arms around him and pressing my lips to his.

  The light turns on.

  “Hey, you’re up,” Jen says. She’s followed into the poolroom by Sven, Henrik, and Sonia.

  “Yeah, what are you guys doing up?” I ask with my arms still around Christian.

  “These lunatics were trying to talk me into swimming in the cold ocean,” Jen takes off her bathrobe, exposing a swimsuit. “Freezing cold water might be fine for merfolk, but humans die in it.”

  “I’d never let anything happen to you,” Sven says. “I’d heat the water for you.”

  “I don’t know what world you live in, but here in the real world you sound crazy.” She jumps into the pool.

  “We can change the temperature of the water in our near vicinity,” he tries to explain.

  “And I can shoot lasers out of my eyes,” she mocks.

  Suddenly, the water begins to feel warmer. The temperature increases until I feel like I am in a hot tub.

  “What’s going on?” Jen asks in bewilderment.

  “Christian just showed you what I was talking about,” Sven dives into the water and swims to Jen. “All merfolk can affect the water temperature, to varying degrees. If you were to swim with me in the ocean, I could heat the water for a few square feet. As long as you stayed with me, you would be perfectly toasty.”

  Henrik and Sonia jump in together, immediately submerging.

  The water feels wonderful. I watch the steam rise into the air as I allow the hot water to relax my muscles. A yawn escapes my mouth.

  “This is a lot more than a few square feet.” Jen looks around the pool.

  “That’s because I’m a lot older than Sven,” Christian says. He scans the poolroom. “Alexandra, where is your walker?”

  “It’s in my room,” I answer, closing my eyes while enjoying the hot water.