Pretty Fin

by Smokey Moment

  Fin smiled and stood. She bowed her head as she had seen her father do countless times. “What about King Andreus? He will be at the forefront of any battle. Are we capturing him or killing him?” Rasbora asked. The question sent Fin’s heart racing. She was furious at his actions. At his gall. And his inability to control himself which resulted in her father’s and mother’s death. She looked at Rasbora. The answer to her question was clear. Fin was unsympathetic. Her words, frank and to the point.

  “He is my enemy. He killed my father. Since all of this started over me, it will end with me. He chose to kill. He will be killed.”

  “Mr. Reed you have a call on line two,” the voice said through the intercom. Lance was preparing to go home. Bandz was doing well. He had hired a few new recruits and the company was growing, despite having a dismal first few quarters. “I can’t take it. Please put them in my voice mail,” he said. “But it’s your brother. He called yesterday too,” she replied. Lance sighed. “Alright. Send him through.”

  Lance picked up the phone. He stood and walked over to his window and looked down at the traffic. “Hello,” he said. “Hey,” Allan replied. He was in no mood to talk to his brother. He wasn’t in the mood for much of anything since Fin never returned. He was heartbroken. Life for him was a daily routine of work, followed by a stop at the store or gas station. And then his grueling ride home to an empty house where everything reminded him of Fin. Where he watched out of windows or went down to the dock, to wait for her.

  Some of his neighbors had noticed his daily walks on the dock. And had watched as he sat for hours, taking occasional breaks and then returning. He seemed to be waiting on something. Months had gone by. Each day harder than the one before. It was clear he would never see her again. And he still had not processed his loss.

  His neighbor George drove by on his boat often and had commented to his wife, his curiosity about their neighbor’s strange behavior. Sometimes he would sit on the edge of his dock in the middle of the night. He did it for weeks until one day he abruptly stopped. His next-door neighbors noticed the same thing and had invited him over, as a way to cheer the seemingly sad bachelor up. But he never accepted their invite. And now he was avoiding his brother’s calls.

  “Hey. Wanted to see if you’re in the mood for some company. I got some time off. I was going to come stay with you for a few days,” he said. Lance could stand the distraction. He was having a hard time. But this was Allan. His sometimes-well-intentioned brother who could be overbearing at times. Lance thought hard. And without much hesitation, said yes. Allan was ready to leave. He was overdue for a much-needed break.

  He was still the main caretaker of his children. But they were miles away visiting their maternal grandparents and Allan wanted his own vacation. He wasn’t sure his brother would allow a visit. He could tell something was on his mind. His mood had drastically changed. For the first time in a long time, his brother appeared happy. And then suddenly, his demeanor changed. He had become withdrawn and quiet. “Ok. I will see you Thursday. I’m on line now, and I see a flight I can catch. I’ll book it.”

  ******

  “Allan,” Lance said, waving to his brother as he exited the terminal. Allan smiled and grabbed his brother for a hug. “You ok,” he said. “Yeah. What else you bring?” Lance asked. “Nothing. This is it,” Allan replied. The men turned and walked towards the exit, grabbing coffee at a stand on their way out.

  “How was your flight?” Lance asked, as he grabbed his brother’s bag and tossed it in the back seat. “Good. I got in a good nap. I feel refreshed actually. How was your day. Did you go to work this morning?” Allan asked. “Naw. I stayed home today. Worked from my office. I turned that large spare room into a full working office. I go in pretty much every day but Bandz can run without me. Dave is phenomenal. And Ashley in accounting, is top notch. Between the two of them, there’s really no need for me to be there. But of course, I’m the owner. So I have to go in,” he replied.

  The success of Bandz had become his mission. It was his new baby. He was working hard to keep the company thriving. A job that wasn’t easy. He had a new found respect for his father. It was a tough market. Many small unknown companies with similar technology was hitting big. Being a larger sized company was no guarantee of success. One wrong move, or getting too comfortable and not keeping up with trends, could cost you. Lance knew what it took.

  He was constantly reinventing the wheel. New marketing strategies. The best hiring practices. Incentives to get and keep the best engineers and tech whizzes. It was quite taxing. But he loved it. He lived for it. His life was good, despite his brother’s doubts. He had gotten over his lost child. He had moved on from the failed relationship. And he was over his missed opportunity to know his father. What he wasn’t over was Fin. And he hoped it didn’t show.

  Allan got in the car and took a sip of coffee. The weather was great. His kids were having a good time with their grandparents. And Lance appeared to be ok. He could relax. Lance tipped the valet for allowing him to leave his vehicle unattended. He walked up to his door and inhaled deeply. He was hiding his broken heart. His pain over a lost love. It seemed he was always losing something or someone. And Allan was his biggest supporter as well as his toughest critic. Allan wanted him ok. He wanted his brother to get back to the strong, force of a man, he knew him to be.

  Lance wasn’t sure when the tables had turned. When Allan viewed him as needy and in a weakened state. He was crushed. But he was dealing. And he hoped Allan got the confirmation, he was sure his brother was there for.

  “Had to tip that man. He watched my car while I came inside to get you,” Lance said, as he made small talk. Allan reached over and turned the radio on. He scanned the channels as Lance pulled off. “I’m starving,” he said, as he stopped on a familiar song. Allan sat back. He relaxed. California was beautiful. He could see why Lance was unwilling to return to Boston. “Man. One thing for certain. This place is beautiful,” he said, as they pulled away from LAX.

  A

  llan stood in the window. He loved the view. It had been three days since he touched down. This trip was a stark contrast to the one before. He went with Lance to work every day, learning the marketing side of the business. His way of preparing for inclusion, in case he decided to relocate. He was getting California Fever.

  Malibu was spectacular. The homes were grand. The views breathtaking. His wife wanted a divorce. The separation that was originally meant to help them take a break and get their minds in order, had opened the doors to something unexpected. She started dating. She was in love. And now she wanted to end what they had. Allan was hurt. He hoped she would get herself together. He believed they would repair their broken marriage. But requests for help through a marriage counselor fell on deaf ears. Allan found himself thinking of his next move.

  He was leaving in two more days. Lance seemed good until this day. Lance sat on the dock. There was something in his manner. Something in his posture. He looked like a man longing. Waiting. But for what.

  Allan sat his drink down and slid the door open. The nice breeze was an instant refresher. He walked slowly across the patio and over to the dock. Lance could hear him coming. “I swear you have to be the luckiest man I know. Your home. And this view…” he said. Lance chuckled. “Yeah. I guess. It seems like heaven. It’s all in how you look at it,” he said, as Allan approached and sat down next to him.

  The wind picked up slightly. Allan let his bare feet in the water. He knew the look. The mood. He had felt it himself, several times before. The look of a man in love. Missing someone. Thinking of someone. He no longer believed it was Paula. She was back in Boston asking about him. He could get her back if he wanted. This was something else. He wondered what Californian had managed to capture his brothers’ heart.

  “Who is she?” he asked. Lance looked swiftly at his brother. A part of him was ready to open up. He paused. He thought of how he would sound. The truth was hard to believe. Hard to picture. But i
t was his truth.

  “I met someone. Someone phenomenal,” he said. Allan smiled then placed his arm around his brother’s shoulders. “What! Is that all. I could feel something was going on. Congratulations man. That is awesome news. You deserve it. Who is she? Where is she?” he asked. Lance looked down at the water. Allan felt the mood change. “What’s up?” he asked. Lance shook his head back and forth. There was no easy way to tell him. He wasn’t sure he should. But Allan was all he had. Their mother was not lucid. She struggled with her mental functions. Her mind was deteriorating. She was enjoying her senior years at a nursing home courtesy of Lance and Allan.

  “It will be hard for you to believe. I have told no one. Not a soul. No one would ever believe me,” Lance said. Allan dropped his arm down. Things sounded serious. “I will. I know you. You don’t make up stuff. What is it?” he said, as his mind raced. He wondered if she was too young. Or was it a woman with a complicated life from the wrong side of the tracks. Or, was she married. Whoever she was, he believed she was a controversial lover. Or else he wouldn’t hide their relationship. Allan waited. Lance paused. “She lives in the water.”

  Allan’s eyes narrowed. “What? What are you talking about Lance?” he asked. “That’s the unbelievable part. She is from another place. Another world. She is able to live in water,” he said, watching Allan carefully to gage his reaction. Allan stood up. He put his hands over his face then paced the dock. “You have got to leave here. You’re coming home with me,” he said. Lance stood up.

  “This is why I hadn’t told you. This reaction right here…The one where you doubt me. Think I’m losing it. Exactly, what I should have expected,” he said, as he walked back toward his home. Allan walked behind him.

  “Do you hear yourself? A woman in the water. Let me guess…The same woman my son thought he saw. Well, I asked him when we got home, and he said it was too blurry to see clearly. He could have been wrong. He wasn’t sure what he saw. People can’t live in water Lance,” he argued. Lance felt betrayed. He was not insane. And he didn’t understand why his brother couldn’t take his word for it no matter how unbelievable it sounded.

  “And what about Yaz?” he asked. Allan snickered. “What about her?” he replied. “So, what she saw gets discounted because she’s only six. They saw the woman. And you believed them. That’s why you’re here. To see if it’s true. You’re puzzled. Curious. Your children are not insane and neither am I. Miles is changing his story probably from pressure from you to do so. And so now he is saying maybe he didn’t see anything.”

  Lance was furious as he continued to his door. Allan stopped and watched as Lance continued on. He stood speechless on the dock. “What is going on? Maybe I’m losing it,” he said, as he slowly made his way back to the house. Lance immediately retreated up the stairs. He could not convince Allan. He needed him to believe in him. Believe what his children saw.

  T

  he sound of boats could be heard. It was the weekend and boaters were out early. Lance kicked the covers off of his legs. He grabbed himself. He adjusted his manhood then closed his eyes again. He opened them. The chime of his doorbell could be faintly heard. Lance rose up. He looked out at the water then waited to see if the bell would chime again. Whoever it was, was not welcomed. He glanced at the clock. The sound of the bell rang again. Then the sound of his front door opening. “What the fuck,” he complained, as he walked to the top of the staircase. He could hear Allan talking to someone.

  “He’s been through a lot. Our mother isn’t well. And just last year he lost his baby and then broke up with his fiancé within months of each other. Then his father died recently. I thought he was handling everything. But I don’t know,” he said to the visitor. Lance descended the steps slowly. He walked then turned the corner and entered the great room. Allan looked nervously at him. A woman stood in a skirt and blouse. She wore a smile like a uniform. It didn’t look genuine. And Lance wondered what was going on.

  “Lance. This is Dr. Karpowski,” he said. Lance stared at Allan. He looked at the doctor. “Hi Lance. I’m Dr. Karpowski. But you can call me Helen,” she said, as she extended her hand. Lance turned from her and walked into the kitchen. Just as he bent the corner, he called his brother for a side bar. “Let me see you in private,” Lance requested. “Excuse me,” Allan said, as he walked into the kitchen.

  “Exactly why is she here? What kind of doctor is she?” he asked. “I called a buddy of mine. He reached out to his friends and they got you an appointment with her. Just to talk. Nothing major. Just clear your mind. Help you sort out your feelings,” he said. Lance chuckled. “Oh! She’s a shrink,” he said, smiling to hide the anger he felt inside. Allan didn’t find it funny. He thought Lance had gone mad.

  “You need help Lance. Please. Talk to her. House calls this fast aren’t easy to get. In fact, no one hardly does them anymore,” he said. Lance took a sip of water as his eyes seemed to pierce his brother’s soul. “I have no need to talk to her. And soon, I will have no need or desire to talk to you. This is, the ultimate fucking betrayal,” he stated. Allan’s heart sank. This was not going as planned. “Come on Lance. Don’t say that. I love you man. I’m looking out for you. Let’s just sit and talk,” he urged. Talk about what’s bothering you. I’m trying to help. You know I love you. I want you good. Please man. Do it for me.”

  ******

  Lance sat across from Dr. Karpowski. He looked at her. He looked at Allan. If she was there to analyze him, then he would give her a glimpse of what he felt. Allan was right about one thing. It could possibly help. He could relive it by recounting the events. It was a peek into an extraordinary experience. And he was ready for the ride. He needed to talk about Fin. He needed her to be real. She was. And holding it in, like some scandalous secret, was maddening.

  “Ok Lance. This is your session. I want you to talk about the most important thing in your life right now. It’s always good to lead with the important things. Whatever you are mentally and spiritually connected to at this moment. That thing you can’t escape. If you were to pick one thing to talk about, what would that be?” she said, as she crossed her legs. Allan sat on a chair not too far away. Lance wanted him to listen in. And Helen asked that he do it from a distance. To give his brother a chance to speak without distraction. Allan sat behind Lance. He listened closely. He wondered what Lance would want to talk about. There was so much history. He had lived a fabulous life until the last few years. He was smart. He excelled at everything. Women adored him. He was envied by his friends. And he was unstoppable. Would he talk about the good things. Or would he reflect on the loss.

  “Do you know where you want to begin?” she asked. “Yes. I want to talk about Fin.”

  Allan was perplexed. He had never heard the name. He was aware of all of Lance’s loves and his conquest. He was never shy about talking about his love life. “Ok. Is she your girlfriend? Your wife?” the doctor asked. “Yes,” he replied. “Ok. Which is she?” she asked. “She’s everything.” Lance said, being facetious. He knew they would never believe him. It would only do him good to hear himself talk about her. Not actually tell them about her. He needed the therapy. But for other reasons.

  “Ok. Listen. I have to speak. Uninterrupted. And after I’m done, I don’t wish to answer questions. Or elaborate on anything you feel confused about. Are we clear?” he asked. “Sure. Can I take notes?” she asked. “Yes.”

  Lance spent three hours telling Dr. Karpowski about the love of his life, the way they met and how devastated he had been since she left him. The doctor took notes as she sat completely absorbed, listening to him recall every day he spent with her. She kicked off her shoes and got comfortable. Lance had eased his posture. He was comfortable. And his memory was remarkable. The story of the woman from the sea was fascinating. His profound expressions and body language added intrigue to an already engrossing love story. He allowed himself to escape into his conscious and subconscious mind. It was noteworthy. And Helen didn’t believe she
was in the presence of a crazed lunatic.

  She in fact, saw no signs of mental illness at all. His recall was detailed. And when he returned to a specific detail he’d already mentioned, he would recount the details precisely as he’d stated before. She had no doubts he had met a woman who was in his water. What she couldn’t believe was that the woman could breathe water. The doctor believed as Allan did. That a woman diving around the docks, for tokens and treasures, had reluctantly made an introduction. It explained the reason it took him weeks from the first time he saw her, to finally meeting her. Allan himself was intrigued. Lance wrapped up his amazing story. Allan sat dumfounded. He believed his brother. He had no reason not to. The story was incredible. But Allan had to think back to the practicality of his brother. Lance liked simple. Plain. He was not a drama seeker. And he was right. Allan’s son told a similar story. A woman in the water with no diving gear, looking up at him. He described her the same way Lance described Fin. He believed she was otherworldly. And he believed she existed.

  Dr. Karpowski closed her notepad. She wiped a tear from her eye. “I’m sorry. I don’t usually get emotional. That was just so beautiful. That was the greatest love story I have ever heard. Ever!” she said. Lance smiled. It was the greatest love story he’d ever lived. The shortest but the most powerful. The most loving. The closest he’d ever felt to a woman.

  Helen stood up. “I want to thank you for sharing. I hope you find her. You must find her. That kind of love is rare. Hard to find. I want to give you my card. Call me anytime you want to talk. I would love a follow up if you find her. Please,” she said, handing him a tan colored card with shiny red lettering on it. “Thank you so much. I needed that,” he said. Allan stood up and walked her to the door. Lance sat reflecting on his words. He was emotional. She had to come back. He had so much more to show her. So much more love to give. It wasn’t over.