The Girl's Mother

There once was a girl who loved the sea. One day, she rode her bike, a pretty blue color with a little brown wicker basket, to the beach. It was her 18th birthday and she wanted to be alone. She found her favorite little hidden spot in the shade between a bunch of rocks, and spread her mermaid patterned towel on the sand. Her mother used to take her here long ago, before she disappeared… This spot always brought her vague, happy memories, but it was laced with sadness today. She looked to the water, and as she did, she heard her name whispered in the wind. In a trance, she stood from her spot, and made her way around the water beaten rocks jutting out from the sand. Soon she was in the chilly, choppy waters. Yet despite the cold, she did not snap out of her trance. She swam a short distance as she heard the soft whisper again, but where was it coming from?

A lovely voice called to her from the depths, almost familiar. Suddenly appeared a beautiful mermaid, with flowing brown hair and a long, shimmering blue and silver tail. She recognized the mermaid’s face. But how could this be? “Why do you look like my mother?” The girl was panicking. She had so many questions. The mermaid smiled sweetly to the girl and with a sing-song voice, she said, “Welcome home, my child. I am your mother.” The mermaid gestured wildly, and the waters around them began to bubble and a great pain overtook the girl. She looked down at her legs, only to find a beautiful, golden-blue tail. The remnants of her bottoms were floating away in shreds. “Come,” her mother started, “There are many who want to meet you, they have called for a meeting.”

Together they swam to the depths, faster than she thought was possible. As they swam, they talked about many things. For one thing, why her mother disappeared when she was only five, leaving her behind. The short story is that her mother had to leave her and return to the water. She was only permitted legs for seven years and she never intended to get pregnant. She wanted to take her with when her time was up, but the magic involved required the receiver to be at least 18 years old. She vowed to come for her on her 18th birthday.

They arrived to the cave system, passing through a large, beautiful kelp forest, where they would be meeting the others in her pod. The girl was nervous as she looked around. The space consisted of sponge covered rocks, chiseled to resemble chairs, surrounding a table-shaped rock. It seemed there was an extravagant feast prepared for them. Sea grapes, seaweed, fish of many types, and much more were on plates laid out on the table. She realized that this was more of a welcome party than an actual meeting. Noticing the two swim in, the elders surrounded them, welcoming them home. She went through at least fifty introductions before the feast.

After the meal, it was made official that she would be a part of the pod if she wishes to. Does she stay with her mother? Or does she live as a human without her? As much as she would miss her mother, she chose her human life. She had a boyfriend, who she loved with all her heart. She had her dad, who needed someone to take care of him. How could she leave them behind? Her mother had been away for 13 years, and she had made a life for herself above the waves. Her decision was made. If she could cry right now, she would be.

Her mother accompanied her to the surface, a silence between them. This time, they swam at the sea floor on their way, slowly, to look at all she would be missing. Beautiful coral reefs, fish of every color of the rainbow, the luscious sea plants. She would miss them yes, but most of all she would miss her mother. They were almost there when they came across a shipwreck, one who had been lost to time. It was one with many treasures. To prolong their time together, they explored, and there they found chests full of jewelry, coins of every kind. Her mother picked out an expensive, sapphire necklace, the same color as her mother's tail, and a matching bracelet for her. The gift she would part with her, to remember their time together.

Soon they swam to the surface. They approached the shore and she hid behind some rocks, coughing up the water in her lungs. As she did, a searing pain overtook her once more, and her tail split into legs. As they did, her scales ripped off, yet there was no blood. Unable to swim, her legs still in great pain, her mother swam her to the shore. She gave her a hug, insisting her mother try to get permission to come visit on occasion. They parted with great sorrow, her mother promising to try.

The girl crawled to her towel, still there, not knowing how long she was gone. It was night, a full moon in the sky. Everyone must be so worried about her. Noticing she no longer had pants, she wrapped the sandy towel around her waist. Finally able to walk, she made her way to her bike, still locked on the bike rack. She saw police cars and many officers. Approaching them, she asked if someone was missing and if she could help somehow, Only to realize they must be looking for her. They asked her name and she told them, and it was her they her looking for. They called her father, and he drove as fast as he legally could. She was soon in his embrace, and he smelled as if he hadn’t showered in at least three days. He reeked.

How long have I been gone for?” She asked nervously. He responded with tears in his eyes, “Four days. Where have you been?!” Now he was angry, especially since she couldn’t respond. She apologized profusely, for worrying him, for worrying everyone. They left and went home, and boy was she in trouble. But he was relieved because she was safe, she was home. She wasn’t able to go anywhere for a while, and no one questioned her treasures. She missed her mother, and wondered if her father knew what truly happened to her mother. As she looked out her window, thinking of her past, she watched the rain fall. Nothing was more beautiful.