by M. Schaefer
“Let’s promise to find each other by my sixteenth birthday…No matter what. I know it might be hard, but ….” Destiny’s voice trailed off.
“I promise,” he answered, without a moment of hesitation. He intertwined her fingers in his and squeezed softly.
“I promise, too,” she said, her heart feeling heavy and light at the same time.
They swam back wordlessly. Shelleen had neatly packed up the remaining lunch. “It is time to say goodbye, Kincade,” she said, giving him a little motherly hug. “Thank you again for all your help.” She smiled and it brightened the moment. “Manta!” Shelleen called, swimming over to him. “Goodbye, darling,” she cooed, squeezing his great cheeks like he was a building sized puppy.
Destiny couldn’t bring herself to say goodbye to Kincade. Instead she simply said, “Don’t forget.”
He nodded wordlessly, and then she touched her fingers to her lips and softly blew him a kiss as she swam down to pat Manta’s great head. Blowing a kiss seemed rather empty after sharing the one from a moment ago.
Destiny didn’t turn to look back as she swam away with her mother. She hoped that would make this moment not seem quite so much like goodbye. She had a feeling she would see him again someday. He was way too stiff and prince like to break a promise.
Destiny was lost in her own thoughts for a while as she swam behind her mother mindlessly following her silken pink tresses as if it flagged the way. A kaleidoscope of fish passed by as they veered upward, traveling closer to the surface where the sea traffic became quite busy! They passed through a school of sardines, glistening like tiny silver pieces moving back and forth in perfect unison. A lone sea turtle appeared from within the mass, slowing slightly as her mother called after it with a strange, throaty call.
“Wait here, Destiny,” Shelleen said, turning after it with a sharp burst from her ruby tail.
Destiny could see the sun shining brightly topside. It looked to be a beautiful day. She could barely wait to breathe the fresh air and feel the sun on her face again. She may be half mermaid, but she was also half girl and she loved basking in the sun.
Shelleen returned after only a second, looking concerned. “Destiny…the turtle has seen a ship about. We had better change into our legs and surface for a look around. Remember how you changed into your tail? It’s time to do it in reverse.”
Destiny nodded understanding, put her hands over her head and instantly dove straight down. She wanted to get a head start in case it took her longer to figure out how to reverse the process. She leveled out and circled a moment, concentrating, feeling each motion of her tail as it swished rhythmically in the water. She imagined her feet complete with toenails forming from the bottom of her flutes and her lovely gold tail splitting and fading into pale skinned legs. Only a moment passed before she was slowly kicking to the surface, feeling much more like her awkward, uncoordinated self then a mermaid. She could see the surface moving closer and closer, and she couldn’t help kicking even faster until she finally broke free with a splash, flinging her tiny braids back into the water. She was free! Like a jumping dolphin skimming on the surface…in a massive coughing fit.
Her mother came up behind her and patted her on her back.
“You must remember to breathe all the water out of your lungs on an ascent, Crab Muffin,” she said, sympathetically.
“Sorry, …I forgot,” Destiny choked, wiping the dribbling water from her chin.
“Look! Destiny!” her mother said, pointing, eyes fixed in the distance.
Destiny’s breath caught in her throat. There was no mistaking the sailboat in the distance as it sliced gracefully through the waves. Its bright white sails were taunt in the wind, heading straight for them. Destiny had seen it every day of her life, though never in open water. Her dad had parked her at the marina when she was a baby, refusing to take her out after he finally stopped searching for her mother.
“He finished it. It’s even more beautiful than in my dreams,” Shelleen choked.
Destiny watched the carved mahogany mermaid on the bow of the Seadancer disappear and reappear as she rose and dipped in the distance. There was also no mistaking the mountain of a man at the helm. Destiny’s heart went into her throat as she saw her dad, his hand over his eyes looking into the distance like some Viking lord going into battle.
She heard her mother gasp next to her, then she saw her hold her breath and cover her heart with her hand dramatically, as if she needed to hold it in. “It’s him…” her mother’s voice trembled, trailing off into a whisper. “Destiny…it’s Jacob.”
Destiny looked at her and her own thoughts were completely forgotten. Her mother’s eyes shone so deep and blue with a mixture of anxiety and love that at this moment the ocean itself couldn’t have compared. Her dad wouldn’t stand a chance.
Her mother’s hair, partly out of the water hung in deep red ringlets framing her lovely face the rest fanned out around her like a pinkish blanket floating on the surface. Destiny reached for her hand, squeezed it and whispered back, “Have faith, Mom. You said yourself that destiny is no matter of chance. I think you were meant to be together again.”
Her mother looked slightly relieved and Destiny couldn’t help but smile to herself, feeling wise at the use of the borrowed words.
She knew the exact moment her dad spotted them floating on the surface. His neck seemed to stretch like a goose’s…then snap back like it was on a spring. He instantly erupted into motion, speeding around the deck taking down the sails and setting the ropes. Destiny had never seen him move so fast! It looked like he was stuck on fast forward.
Finally, under perfect control the hull of the Seadancer loomed before them, looking amazingly huge from this vantage point. The water lapped softly against her side, sounding familiar. Destiny was finally home.
They both dove under and swam to the stern where the ladder was kept. Destiny gave a reassuring smile to her mother as she climbed out of the water and started slowly up. Her long tiny braids trailed down her back and dripped like rain on her tired feet and legs as she climbed upward. Each rung seemed like a mile as she struggled to reach the top and climb over the rail. She saw her dad squint over the starboard side, rubbing his temples. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days and his eyes held a far off expression, frozen in confused bewilderment.
She swallowed the guilty feeling that rose in her throat. Her legs suddenly sprang to life and Destiny ran as fast as she could across the deck.
“Daddy, I’m here,” she yelled in unabashed excitement, flinging herself into his huge arms.
Startled, he turned just in time to catch her before she toppled overboard.
“Destiny!!?…Destiny??! Oh! Thank God!” he cried, in words drenched in relief.
“I thought I was imagining things….I thought…I thought.. I had…. lost you too,” he cried, scooping her up and squeezing her with the force of a grizzly bear. The air was crushed from her lungs and she felt like her eyes might pop from their sockets.
“I’m fine, Daddy,” she croaked, with what little breath she had left.
“IF YOU EVER!” he bellowed, his excitement turning to the instant fury only fear can release. “I WILL!!…
But suddenly in mid-yell his voice trailed off into strangled sob, as though his mouth had gone completely numb and he couldn’t form any words. It was so quiet that Destiny could actually hear his heart beat frantically in his chest.
She couldn’t help the slow, Cheshire-like smile that crept across her face as he absently dropped her to her feet. There was only one person that could cause her dad to suddenly be distracted from yelling at her right now. Destiny quietly faded onto the deck, sitting down and crossing her legs to watch the scene play out. She almost wished she had a tub of popcorn shrimp to fully enjoy the show.
Destiny’s nagging worry faded as she saw her mother standing gracefully by the ladder, like the princess she was. Her hair draped in wet curls over her small shoulders and down her back, all th
e way to her slim knees. She looked breathless and beautiful. Her chest heaved slightly, but her face didn’t betray any of the pent-up emotions from a moment ago.
Destiny was impressed…she would definitely be hard to beat at poker. In fact, the only things that betrayed her nervousness at all were that her knuckles were completely white and her fingernails were imbedded into the wood railing. Destiny wondered if she would be able to get them out.
She watched her dad shake his head as if to clear his disbelief. He was quite a skeptic! Even with her standing in front of him.
“You are not imagining me, Jacob,” her mother whispered, breathlessly.
Even with the continued look of disbelief, his feet seemed to slowly drag him across the deck toward her. She looked tiny next to him, like in the picture on her dresser. His face contorted with flitting looks of confusion, hope… and finally settled back on disbelief.
Destiny hugged her knees to her chest, bursting with emotion as she continued to watch.
Her mother’s poise seemed to crack slightly along with her musical tone. “Jacob..I am.. really… here,” she squeaked.
Destiny was sure he didn’t trust his eyes or his ears. He reached up with his monstrous, callused hand and tenderly touched her cheek as if he was sure she would disappear.
Her mother couldn’t take it anymore. The ocean blue of her eyes finally gave way to her true feelings and silent tears began to stream down her cheeks.
“Forgive me…Please..forgive me, Jacob,” she cried, quietly. “I know it has been thirteen years… but for me, it was just an instant ago.”
Her dad just stared as if transfixed.
Her mother continued, “I was sleeping….awaiting Destiny.” She saw her glance lovingly in her direction. “She woke me up…But, if you want me to go, I would understand.” She looked shyly down at her bare feet.
It became suddenly quiet, as if the whole ocean waited with bated breath for his response. Destiny held her breath, too. She knew her dad could be quite stubborn.
The silence was deafening. There didn’t even seem to be a breeze.
Then finally he seemed to find his voice. “Shelleen…oh…I have been waiting so long…I never gave up hope….NEVER! I would have waited for you… forever,” Jacob whispered, drawing her into his arms and kissing her tenderly on the lips.
The ocean seemed satisfied with his reply and continued gently rocking the Seadancer. The salt breeze went back to kissing the sails as it had a moment ago, and Destiny comfortably leaned back on her elbows and tried to contain her self-satisfied smile.
Reaching in her pocket, she pulled out her lucky hat and plunked in on her head. She looked up at the blue sky and couldn’t ever remember a more glorious day. Happiness crept up from her toes, bubbling up until it popped like a champagne cork.
“Oh Yeah!” she yelled, “I am so NOT on restriction!”
THE END
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Chapter 1: Under the Shroud
Chapter 2: Dream or Nightmare?
Chapter 3: Magic Carpet Ride
Chapter 4: Mertopia
Chapter 5: To the Palace
Chapter 6: Mermaid Makeover
Chapter 7: King Dolphinium
Chapter 8: Mertopia University
Chapter 9: Face to Face
Chapter 10: Homecoming
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Chapter 1: Under the Shroud
Chapter 2: Dream or Nightmare?
Chapter 3: Magic Carpet Ride
Chapter 4: Mertopia
Chapter 5: To the Palace
Chapter 6: Mermaid Makeover
Chapter 7: King Dolphinium
Chapter 8: Mertopia University
Chapter 9: Face to Face
Chapter 10: Homecoming