Derrolyn Anderson - [Marinas Tales #1] - Between The Land And The Sea (14 page)

honestly.”

He looked relieved. I was being truthful– next time I would have on a wetsuit and be fine.

There was an awkward pause.

“I have a question,” he said, looking at me intently, “When they brought you to the hospital you were hypothermic, but there was no water in your lungs. They said that was the reason you...

lived,” he forced out the last word and continued on, “But when I pulled you out of the water before, you were nearly drowned. How is that possible?” his eyes searched mine.

I couldn’t think of anything. “I don’t know,” I said, breaking eye contact. There was an uncomfortable pause, “Why do you work so hard all the time? I mean, this should be your time off...” I said, changing the subject. He smiled with amusement at my awkward dodge.

“This isn’t exactly work,” he chuckled, “I should be paying Abby.” I was embarrassed, “My dad insisted I take lessons. He threatened to send me to a boarding school if I didn’t promise to be more careful.”

Ethan looked at me mischievously, “Surfboarding school?” We laughed together, and agreed to meet for lessons in a week. I handed him some fruit from the bag and we ate as we rested in the sun.

“Seriously, why
do
you work so hard?”

He looked at me like he was deciding whether or not to talk about it, “I’m saving for the future.”

“That’s very mature of you,” I said teasingly. He didn’t laugh. “Why?” I asked again.

“Because I want to be independent, and not have to count on anyone else,” he said, making me feel a little sheepish for teasing him.

“That’s admirable,” I said, “I thought surfers were supposed to be slackers.” This time he laughed, and I relaxed. I liked his laugh.

“Uhm... Marina?” he asked tentatively, “What on earth did you draw in art class yesterday?” I squirmed uncomfortably, I was afraid that might come up.

He went on, “Because the guys at the table were saying that it was a... self-portrait.” I was mortified but had to explain, “It wasn’t me, it was a mythological creature that I um...

uh...” I figured I might as well just come clean so I spit it out rapidly, “It was a mermaid, okay?

And I probably should have added the strategically placed hair,” I finished angrily.

His eyes flew open, “A mermaid?” he seemed shocked.

“Yes,” I said defensively, starting to get annoyed. I hadn’t expected him to be a prude.

His tone changed, “Don’t get all upset, it’s no big deal.” He sounded contrite, “Those guys are a bunch of dorks anyway.” He got up and zipped his suit back on, “C’mon,” he held out his hand to me, “I’m going to teach you some of the finer points of body surfing.” We spent the next few hours playing in the waves, laughing at some of our wipe outs. It was an incredibly powerful feeling to glide along a wall of surging water, and I could only imagine how it must feel to stand on a board. I tired out before he did, and my hands and feet were starting to feel numb. We packed up our gear and made our way along the path to his truck.

It was warm inside and this time we drove along in comfortable silence.

“Are you coming to the market tomorrow?” he cast a glance in my direction.

“I don’t think so,” I said, thinking about how I was going to find Lorelei, “There’s something I need to take care of.” Was I imaging it, or did he look disappointed?

We pulled up to the house to see Abby sitting on the bench, waiting.

“See what I mean?” I said with an exasperated look at him.

“Don’t be too hard on Abby. You didn’t see how upset she was when you went missing.

And all that time you were in the hospital… You were out of it for a long time.” He paused, choosing his words carefully, “We were all worried.”

He got out, and before I could even gather my bag he was around the side of the truck getting my door.

“How’d it go?” Abby called out.

“It was fun!” I said, and I really meant it. Ethan walked me to the porch and turned to Abby.

“Marina did great. She can handle herself just fine– with a wetsuit on.” He cast me a playful glance, “We’re going to go again next week.” Abby looked relieved. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about,” he added.

I flashed him a grateful look.

“You need to wash off your wetsuit if you want to keep it in good shape,” he said and left.

Cruz and Megan were on the couch when I came in.

“So-o...” said Megan, “How was your date?”

“It wasn’t a date,” I said, scowling in her general direction to conceal my smile.

“So how did your swimming go?”

“It was fun, but better than that... I can stay in the water a
whole
lot longer!” I looked at them with barely contained glee.

They returned my gaze with barely contained horror.

On Sunday I went down to the pier on a fruitless search for Lorelei. I’d stealthily snuck out of the house, tiptoeing my way past Cruz’s room. I knew if he saw me he’d try to talk me out of my plan again, and I preferred to avoid his heartfelt pleas. Megan and Cruz were dead-set against my meeting with her; they had no idea why I was being so stubborn. They saw her as the supernatural creature that had nearly killed me and I saw her as the key to unlocking the mystery of my past. I wasn’t about to be swayed by their fears.

I trudged up the stairs with my head down, disappointed. I should have gone to the farmers market, I thought ruefully. I almost ran straight into my worried friends tearing headlong down the stairs.

“Thank God!” Cruz cried dramatically when he saw me, “We thought you were out to sea again!”

“Yeah– Mermaid bait!” Megan said with a grin.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” I said glumly, “I didn’t even bring my wetsuit.” This was one logistical problem I needed to work out. I probably couldn’t just strip down to don my wetsuit on the cement boat, even if Lorelei created a distraction. I suppose I could try walking to the water wearing it, but it would be unbearably hot. I could change at the beach and try to hide my clothes, or maybe put them in a bag and take them with me. I remembered how fast Lorelei sped through the water. I was pretty sure I’d need my hands free.

It would be really helpful to have an accomplice. Cruz and Megan were adamantly opposed, and even though I knew they were genuinely concerned for my welfare, I found their constant scolding to be increasingly irritating. The desire to know more about my mother intensified, a glowing ember that burned hotter within me as time passed. I found myself willing to take a reckless chance, despite the promises I had made to Abby, Dad, and Ethan.

I was dreading returning to art class, for now I knew that the rumors about me were flying. I wondered what would happen if I skipped out on it for a few days. The school would probably call Abby, and now that she was finally starting to ease up on me I didn’t want to rock the boat. I couldn’t afford to have any more trouble after winding up in the hospital, for one more event could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, driving my father to send me into a prison-like boarding school.

I couldn’t bear the thought of being forced to leave Aptos with so much unfinished business.

My encounter with Lorelei played over and over in my mind, refusing to leave me in peace. It felt like I was on the verge of something monumental– questions about my mother that had been stifled my whole life started gnawing at me again. I scrutinized Megan and Cruz, for there must be a way to make them cooperate without having to confess everything.

“Come on guys,” I said, “Let’s go home and check out the latest masterpiece.” Cruz had been sewing like a man possessed, refusing to allow anyone into his room. He’d promised to unveil his newest design today, and I was curious, for I’d spotted him slipping in the house with bags of fabric and noticed a change from his typical black color palette. I was eager to see what he’d come up with. The three of us walked home, laughing as Megan teased Cruz about his sudden secrecy.

We plunked down on the couch as Cruz went to retrieve his work. He returned brandishing a hanger held high, eliciting simultaneous gasps from Megan and me. It was a long gown that was unlike anything we’d seen from Cruz before. Ethereally beautiful, it seemed to be floating, suspended in the air like a cloud. It had a fitted strapless bodice that shimmered in the lightest aqua, with a long full skirt that flowed down to the floor, embellished with hundreds of tiny fluttery ruffles. It reflected the colors of a stormy sea, gleaming like iridescent fish scales in shades of pale slate and rich aqua silk. It was a fantasy ball gown, and the mermaid influence was clear.

He stood there, holding the hanger up anxiously, “Well?” Megan and I rushed over for a closer look.

“Cruz, it’s stunning!” I exclaimed.

“You’ve outdone yourself!” Megan cried.

“It’s Lorelei, isn’t it,” I said with a wide smile, “She inspired you!” Cruz smiled shyly, “Will you try it on?”

“Sure,” I said enthusiastically, suddenly inspired myself, “I’ll give you a fashion show!” I took it into my room and slipped it on. It fit as though it was destiny, flattering my shape and enhancing my coloring. It was the most beautiful dress I’d ever worn and I was determined to do it justice. Studying my face in the mirror I thought of Lorelei and smiled. I scrambled to get out my makeup kit.

Aunt Evie was compulsive about buying makeup and hair products; thanks to her I was the owner of a huge tackle-box crammed with every color and variety of cosmetics known to mankind. Evie couldn’t pass a makeup display without succumbing to the siren song of salesgirls, luring her with gleaming pots, jars and tubes of the latest lotions and potions. She was known by name at all the perfume and cosmetic counters in San Francisco’s high end department stores, and she relished the attention, never encountering a new beautifying elixir she didn’t absolutely have to possess.

Consequently, I was treated to all the makeovers and makeup a girl could possibly want. It pleased Evie to see the salesladies dote on me and boy did they know it. Watching them, I got to be a pretty good makeup artist, and Evie even let me do her face sometimes. I decided to create a high fashion look for Cruz’s show and I giggled at the thought of his reaction.

I quickly teased my hair up a little bit and scattered loads of tiny rhinestone hair-pins into it.

It wasn’t the coppery blonde of Lorelei’s, but it did look sparkly, like it was wet, and my time in the sun and saltwater had added streaks of rust to my regular dark brown. The smell of the hairspray brought on a little twinge of nostalgia, reminding me of all the times I’d sat and watched Evie’s stylist torture her hair into submission.

Rummaging through all the tubes and compacts I found a dark teal pencil and lined my eyes, smudging the edges and loading mascara on the top lashes. I applied a sheer glittering lotion to my arms and décolletage, and brushed a pale frosty gloss on my lips and cheeks, standing back to admire the effect. I looked cool, like a painting.

There was a rapid-fire series of knocks on the door and Megan’s voice called out, “Marina, do you need any help?”

“Come in,” I replied.

“Holy cow! You look like you just sprang from the sea!” Megan enthused.

“That was the plan,” I said, pleased.

We went through my shoes and picked out a pair of heels that worked with the dress. I saw Megan eying my giant makeup box and was suddenly inspired.

“Sit down!” I ordered. Megan complied, and I quickly went to work. Doing my best cosmetic counter girl impression I started a professional makeover.

“You are an autumn,” I announced with authority. I lightly patted foundation around her eyes and dusted her with powder. I penciled her lids with a dark brown, explaining how to focus on the outer edges and “blend, blend, blend” as one particularly chirpy salesgirl used to say.

Enhancing her brows and contouring her cheeks really brought out her pretty eyes. I pulled her hair back into a chic chignon and stood back. She looked awesome, and I congratulated myself.

Megan inspected her reflection, turning her face from side to side. She looked up at me with a surprised smile.

“Wow, Marina! You’re an artist.”

“Now go!” I hustled her out, “Announce Cruz’s creation.” I waited in the doorway to make my grand entrance, excitedly anticipating his reaction.

“Oh my God!” I heard Cruz screech, “Who are you and what have you done with Megan?” I smiled to myself, pleased. She really did look awesome. I stepped out into the hallway and paused.

“Presenting...” Megan announced bombastically, “the latest creation from the famed couturier, Cruz Vanderpool!”

I strutted down the hall, doing my very best impersonation of a high fashion model, thinking how much Evie would have loved it. Cruz’s eyes flew open wide, and he clasped his hands together at his chest with a rapturous expression. I tried not to grin, keeping the haughty, pained look on my face that I’d seen sported by the models walking in the runway shows Evie had taken me to. Suddenly the discomfort was all too real.

It struck me sharply, blooming right behind my eyes. The blinding pain was accompanied by a vision of Cruz, an older Cruz, basking in the admiration of a crowd of people. He was surrounded by a flock of photographers and reporters. I pressed my palm to my forehead and squeezed my eyes shut. It was as real as if I was standing there.

I looked up at Cruz, equally awestruck.

“
You will be famous in the future
.”

Cruz and Megan stood frozen, shocked looks on their faces. The pain in my head began to slowly recede. I dropped my hand, “What?” I asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Marina,” Megan said gently, “You just... you just... talked mermaid.” She spoke slowly, as if trying to soften the blow.

“What?!”

At that moment the front door opened to reveal Abby and Ethan. Three heads snapped towards the door.

“Hi kids,” Abby announced, rummaging through her purse, “The dang battery went dead on the Volvo and Ethan was nice enough to give me a–” she looked up, taking the three of us in.

“My Goodness!” she exclaimed, “Marina, you look amazing! Cruz, did you make that?” She smiled in surprise, “And Megan, look at you!” Abby continued in past our stunned group, “I’ve invited Ethan for supper, he’s going to take you guys to school tomorrow while I get the car fixed. Ethan, come on in and have a seat.”