“I wasn’t expecting him to be like that,” Lizzy said in her mind as a few tears begin to form in her eyes.
“I know Sis; maybe there’s some truth in what he was saying?”
“That’s the problem; it would be so easy if I knew for sure he deliberately cheated. Either way, we were headed for a break-up with the things going on in our lives.”
“I’m sorry Sis; a part of me is sorry for Robbie too though.” Jedediah hung his head down.
“I know; I guess it’s going to take some time to see what’s real or salvageable with us.”
“Yeah I guess you’re right. Okay enough of the sad stuff; let’s eat!” He grinned and grabbed up a piece.
“Okay.” She picked up a gooey cheese, ham and pineapple slice and took a bite.
Jedediah did the same.
Lizzy also had the gift of increased hearing and couldn’t keep from listening to some of the people inside the restaurant who saw the exchange of Lizzy and Robbie.
They felt she was a little hard on him.
Jed read her thoughts, “You wanna take the rest to go?”
“Yes.” Lizzy grinned. She was becoming even more uncomfortable with the sympathetic looks she was getting.
They boxed up the pizza and drinks to go. They headed to their dock to finish dinner and their visit.
~~~~~
CHAPTER SEVEN
FINDING LIZZY
With Robbie now on the island, Lizzie was finding it difficult to avoid him and those sympathetic to his cause. She visited with the Mer as often as she could.
Rose decided that a trip to the mainland was in order like she and Lizzy used to have; they would eat out and shop till they dropped.
Lizzy drove her mom and her to the Ferry and then to one of their favorite first stops; a local bakery for pastry and coffee.
Rose opened up the passenger door and sniffed the air, “Oh Lizzy, don’t you just love that smell.” She smiled.
“Yes, I sure do.” Lizzy also smelled the freshly baked goodies she got out of the car and locked the doors from her keychain remote.
They walked into the bakery and both stood frozen in their tracks.
Robbie’s mother Catherine was at the counter picking up a box from the bakery.
“Well hello you two.” Catherine smiled.
“Hey there.” Rose gave a friendly smile.
“Hi,” was all Lizzy could say. She was dreading running into Catherine more than anything.
“Lizzy, I’m so sorry to hear about you and Robbie. I hope you can get things worked out,” Catherine said with a hug and tears in her eyes.
Lizzy also had tears, but couldn’t speak.
“Things take time to sort out,” was all Rose said with an understanding smile.
Catherine picked up her box and left.
“So sorry honey,” said Rose.
“It was bound to happen sooner than later.” Lizzy wiped her eyes.
“Let’s sit down awhile,” said Rose.
She and Lizzy sat down at a nearby table.
They decided on what they wanted and Rose went to the counter and ordered, then went and sat back down.
“Honey, there’s some things I want to talk to you about.” Rose patted Lizzy’s hand.
“Okay,” said Lizzy, but wasn’t sure she wanted to if it were about she and Robbie.
Rose heard her thoughts, “No honey, it’s not about that, well not exactly,” she said in her mind, not wanting anyone else to hear the conversation.
“Then what?” Lizzy also spoke in her mind.
“I’ve been meaning to tell you for awhile, but never seemed to have much time with you this past month. I’ve just retired!” She smiled.
“What, you give up teaching?”
“Yes, but I’m really only retired for one year. You see our Principal Mr. Howard is retiring next year also and I’ve been hired to take his place.”
“Mom, that’s awesome! They’re getting a great Principal; wow Principal Prentis!”
“Thanks honey, but I also have a question for you.”
“What?”
“How would you like to put off substitute teaching this year and just go into full time teaching the next as planned?”
“Why?”
“You’re dad and I have been talking about traveling with the Mer to the South Pacific this fall and return with them next spring.”
“Really?” Lizzy grinned at the thought.
“Yes, we thought about taking the Bonnie Rose on a voyage like we used to when you kids were younger. I have a few classes I’m taking online to finish my training. I’ve also got permission to teach Will his classes for the year and turn them in online; thankfully we have satellite internet.”
“Mom that would be the best thing, it would give some space between me and Robbie to figure some stuff out.”
“I thought so honey, I know it can’t be easy for you with him here for the summer and all of his family and friends choosing his side of things.”
“No Mom, it hasn’t been easy.”
“Let’s get you a new swimsuit for the trip and also a new scuba outfit.”
“Are you sure Mom, you know I’m not employed yet?”
“Honey, I got a great retirement package, so it’s all on me!” Rose smiled.
~~~
“Lizzy look at this one!” Rose held up a modest dark green two-piece she found in the junior department; because of Lizzy’s Mer ancestry she was so petite it was always hard to find the right fit in the regular women’s sizes.
“I don’t usually like two-pieces.” Lizzy held it in her hands and gave a half grin.
“But look, it’s not that revealing for a bikini and it’s nearly the color of Midori’s tail; you two will match when he taxi’s you around,” Rose giggled.
“Yeah, I guess we would. I think I’ll try it on.” Lizzy took it to the changing room.
She loved how the one strap hooked on either side of the swoop top and the bottoms had more material than most these days.
She quickly came out and said, “I’m going to take it and be brave this year.”
“Good for you Honey, now let’s get our stuff together and head home.”
“Thanks Mom, for a perfect day.”
Rose hugged her, “You’re welcome.”
~~~
As Lizzy and her mother sat waiting on the Ferry for the next twenty minutes, Lizzy decided to open up to her about some things.
“Mom, I have to tell you it hasn’t been all Robbie’s fault the way things spiraled out of control. We didn’t just move away from Safe Harbor, we also moved away from God.”
“Sweetheart, I know God loves you; even more than dad and me; He sees, understands and forgives.”
“It’s like we moved away to find our own way; thinking it would be better. I think we both realize now we had a pretty good life before.”
“Honey you two only did what most kids do when they head out on their own for the first time. The important thing is you learned from it and it will make you a stronger person.”
“I know, but it’s not what Jed or Lana did.”
“No, but they had circumstances line up in their lives which made it easier.”
“I guess, but we still knew what we were doing was wrong and little by little it began to rip us apart.”
“I think you’ve got it all figured out now.”
“Not all of it, but I know I started to process it before Robbie and I think it’s what pulled us apart even more.”
“You never know Lizzy; maybe he’s came to the same conclusions?”
“Life is really a big gamble isn’t it?”
“Sometimes it seems like it, but it does have advantages when you lean on God for direction and the answers.” Rose smiled.
“Maybe I should let Robbie know about my leaving with you and dad. I don’t want him to think it was all about him; I think it’s more about me.”
“That might be a good idea.” Rose smiled.<
br />
The Ferry pulled up and Lizzy drove up onto it.
She let her thoughts wander on the ride back to Safe Harbor Island, who knows maybe when I return Robbie and I can sort things out, she thought.
~~~
After putting her things away, Lizzy decided she would walk down to the Harbor and see if Robbie might be at the docks on his father’s boat.
She changed into her new green bikini and put a white off the shoulder blouse over it. She put on her holey blue jeans and then slipped on her tennis shoes. She headed out the front porch door.
She walked down the beach and onto the sandy foot path which led around to the Harbor and Marina.
When she got to the Marina, she spotted the Crustacean II at her mooring and walked even quicker with her heart racing, you can do this Lizzy, she thought.
Just as she got close enough to see Robbie standing on deck at the railing, she also saw a girl talking with him from the dock.
He was smiling down to her in conversation.
When Lizzy got a little closer, she realized it was Lisa in a pink string bikini talking as flirtatious as ever to him.
Lizzy’s tears ran down her cheeks and she felt another rip to her heart. She quickly turned to walk away.
Robbie looked up at that moment and realized what just happened, “Lizzy, Lizzy, wait! It’s not what you think!”
Lizzy began running back home.
Robbie jumped off his father’s boat as quick as he could and ran to his nearby Jet Ski. He hopped on and took off across the Harbor towards the Keeper’s dock without so much as a good-bye to Lisa.
~~~
Lizzy ran across the beach in front of the Keeper’s house and onto the dock. She fell down about a third of the way and laid there crying.
It wasn’t long and Robbie pulled up to the dock beside her.
She sat up on the side of the dock and wiped her eyes; this time she wasn’t running away, what is your excuse now, she thought as she looked defiantly at him.
“Lizzy I know what you thought you saw, but hear me out; Lisa just got here and came to apologize for everythin’ and ask when I was comin’ back to school. I didn’t know she was comin’; I didn’t even want her here.”
“You didn’t look too displeased to see her.”
“Lizzy I was tryin’ to tell her as nice as I could that I don’t know when I’m comin’ back.”
“Why don’t you know?” she practically screamed out the words.
“I think you know the answer; it depends on you,” he said softly.
“Well, you don’t have to worry about that. You see mom has retired and we’re all off to travel with the Mer to the South Pacific soon. We’ll be gone until next spring.”
“What?” He was dumbfounded; never in a million years did he expect that.
Lizzy smiled and raised her brows with exaggerated excitement, “Yeah, I just got a new two-piece and scuba suit for the trip.”
“I see.”
“Now you can just get back to coaching those college girls,” she said coldly, but then wished she hadn’t.
Robbie had tears in his eyes, “I’ll always love ya Lizzy, no matter what.” He revved up his Jet Ski spun around and took off as fast as he could.
~~~~~
CHAPTER EIGHT
SOUTH PACIFIC BOUND
Jedediah did take Lizzy scuba diving in the city of Torbist so she could tell Lana the news of her traveling with the rest of the family when they next left Safe Harbor.
She wore her new dark green two-piece which did seem to match Midori’s tail.
Lizzy couldn’t believe how much Titus now looked like her memory of King Titan on his throne with his golden forked staff when last she visited the city.
“Welcome Sister, it is good to have you here,” King Titus said in his mind with a smile.
“Welcome Lizzy.” Lana also said in her mind as only all of them could below the surface of the water. She smiled as she sat next to the King on her throne; each was made of solid gold.
“Thank you both, it’s good to be here again.”
“Lizzy, King Titan had Titus save your crown and I’ve added a few more pearls to it.” Lana held out the crown of large grey pearls.
“Really, I thought he was just being nice and made me an honorary Princess.”
“No Lizzy, he proclaimed you Princess,” said Titus boldly.
“Dad wouldn’t let me keep them before,” Lizzy said sadly.
“We know that’s why we saved them and now they’re yours.” Lana smiled again.
Titus swam up from his throne and took the pearls from Lana and then placed them on top of Lizzy’s head.
“Gosh thanks you guys,” Lizzy giggled to feel the weight of them upon her head as she had dreamed about so many times.
“We have also planned a dance in your honor Sister, as all mermaid Princesses have when they are of age,” said Titus.
“Really?”
“Yeah, really,” Lana giggled as she knew how special this day was for Lizzy.
Titus took Lizzy’s hand and turned her to face all those in the Hall. He shouted, “Today I present to you my sister Princess Elizabeth and daughter to the Guardian.”
Cheers rang out from all gathered.
Lizzy giggled nervously and blushed, but saw her family and so many she knew; Midori’s smile made her feel a little better.
Titus tapped his golden forked staff upon the base of his throne and music began to play.
Lizzy looked to Seturus and then to Jedediah.
He grinned, letting air bubbles escape his mask, “Welcome to Torbist Princess Elizabeth.”
“May I have the honor of the first dance?” asked Midori knowing it would help her to dance first with someone familiar.
“Sure.” She took his offered hand and he swam her to the center of the underwater city next to the large multifaceted crystal which gave light to its inhabitants.
Lizzy saw there was a full orchestra of Mer playing golden harps, flutes, violins and drums.
“How do you like being the center of attention?” Midori smiled down to her as he put one hand on her back and gently took her hand in his other.
“I really don’t like it at all,” she giggled and placed her hand on his shoulder.
“I knew you might not.”
“How can we dance under the water?”
“Just allow me to do all the work with my tail.” He grinned.
Lizzy was amazed at how they did dance in a circle and all she had to do was hang on, I could get used to this, she thought.
Of course Midori heard her thoughts, “I could also.” He smiled and briefly looked into her blue eyes which he had never allowed himself to do before.
~~~
Several other young mermen also danced with Lizzy and although it was a little embarrassing, she enjoyed every moment of it. She almost wished she could have taken pictures, but knew she never could.
She couldn’t help but wonder if there may be a future for her with the Mer, she knew it was silly, but still couldn’t help but think about it.
When Lana sensed it nearing time for Lizzy and Jed’s air to run out, she told Titus.
Titus tapped his staff once more and the music stopped.
Midori took Lizzy’s hand and swam her back to the King and Queen.
“Thank you so much Titus and Lana for allowing me to have such a great time.”
“We wanted to especially honor you for not only being a Princess, but also for you graduating with your Masters,” said Lana.
“Thanks again, I’ll never forget this.” Lizzy smiled.
“Sis, this is only the beginning of what your next year is going to be like.” Jedediah smiled releasing air again from his scuba mask.
Jedediah on Seturus’ back and Lizzy on Midori’s took one quick swim through the gardens of Torbist with Prince Makoa and Princess Rose before they left.
Lizzy had forgotten just how beautiful they were.
~~~
/> That night Lizzy looked out her bedroom window at the full moon dancing on the water below.
She had snuck her pearls inside and now held them in her hands and looked at their iridescent glow.
I never dreamed of living the life of a Mer before, it seems I have more options than I ever imagined.
Even with that thought, she still couldn’t get Robbie out of her mind. What other options did he have other than coaching? She didn’t think she could ever go back to that kind of life. How can I ever trust him again?
She sighed and put her crown of pearls inside the bottom of her jewelry box.
She laid her head upon her pillow and drifted off to sleep with the memory of the dance so real in her mind.
~~~
“I could not help but notice how pleased Midori was to dance with our sister,” chuckled King Titus in his home at the back of the Hall.
He was holding Lana in his arms while Prince Titan slept with his new baby Dolphin named Tempest; which was King Titus’ former pet which was the grandfather of baby Tempest.
“Yeah, I noticed it too, especially after he danced with her about five times,” Lana giggled.
“She has become quite popular among the many eligible suitors of our pod. We must pray Arius will guide Lizzy in the right direction; whichever it is to be.”
“Yeah, I just want her to know she does have choices, not just one choice,” Lana sighed.
“It will be a good winter.” Titus grinned and kissed Lana on top of her head.
“Yeah, I believe it will.” She snuggled into Titus’ shoulder and they two drifted off to sleep also with the memory of the dance so sweet in their minds.
~~~
One foggy morning just before dawn, Cole with the Bonnie Rose and Micah with the Island Traveler sailed away from Safe Harbor Island.
They followed King Titus and his pod as he led them towards the South Atlantic for the winter.
Will was one family member who was unwilling to make the journey until Rose explained how she’d be schooling him. He decided it might not be so bad.
Legend of the Mer III Song of Sirens Page 5