Derrolyn Anderson - [Marinas Tales #1] - Between The Land And The Sea (33 page)

“I better go,” I said nervously, suddenly wanting Ethan, “Thank you Lue.”

“Good luck Marina,” he said, “And don’t worry, water always finds its way back to Earth.” I turned back to face him, “Kob kun kup,” I said and bowed deeply, with sincere respect.

I hurried back to join Ethan as fast as my sore feet would take me, even more confused than I was before. He threw his arms around me, greeting me like we’d been apart for days rather than just a few minutes. I giggled at his enthusiasm and kissed him, a little amazed at how safe and comfortable I felt in his arms. As bizarre and painful as the events of the past few days had been, I’d never been happier, and it was all because of him.

I settled back down, quietly reading as the market wound down. Ethan worked swiftly, packing up the stand and swinging by to plant kisses on me every so often. He drove me home, pulling up to the spot around the corner where his truck was parked.

“What are we going to do about tonight?” he asked.

“I’ll be okay on my own. We have school tomorrow, and you need your–” he leaned over and kissed me, instantly making me lose my train of thought.

“You’re not getting rid of me that easy,” he said, “Your feet aren’t healed up yet… and you’ve only had one good night’s sleep. I’d be up all night worrying...” He got out to retrieve his duffel and slipped back in, leaning over to kiss away my last feeble objections.

We pulled up to see a shining new Volvo sedan in the spot where Abby usually parked. It had dealer plates and stickers in the windows, and looked like it came fresh off the car lot.

“Who’s here?” Ethan asked.

“I have no idea,” I said. We parked and went in. Abby came racing up to hug me with a resplendent smile.

“Did you hear about your dad?” she was bubbling over with excitement, “He won the Nobel prize!” I felt a twinge of guilt that I hadn’t gotten so fired up about it.

“Uh, yeah, I called him. Whose car is that out front?”

Abby beamed, bubbling over with joy, “Martin is so good to us! You see, the prize comes with a lot of money, and he wanted to help us out. He had that car sent over for me and he’s paying for Cruz’s design school. He told me to let you know that you can choose any car you like! Plus, he’s going to fund some very important research... I’m just so proud of him.”

“That’s nice,” I managed to force a smile. I was happy for Abby and Cruz but my heart sank, for this was typical of how my father compensated for not answering my questions.

“Congratulations,” said Ethan, catching my eye.

“Can you guys order some pizza tonight?” Abby smiled, “I’m going for a drive, I think I’ll go visit Dutch.”

“OK, tell him not to wait up. I have some work to do,” Ethan smiled at Abby. She took off like a rocket as I sat down on the couch numbly, feeling defeated.

“So… what kind of car are you going to get?” asked Ethan.

I was irritated and hurt as I blurted out, “He’s trying to buy me off so I won’t keep asking him. This is the story of my life. Every time I try to talk about my mom he changes the subject and gets me something... He can’t just take me out for an ice cream cone anymore!” I said angrily, fighting back tears.

Ethan sat down next to me and put his arms around me, “I’m sorry,” he said, rubbing my back soothingly. After a minute he started chuckling.

“What?” I asked defensively.

“You’re probably the only person I’ll ever know who wouldn’t be psyched about getting a new car,” he said, kissing my nose.

I sighed sadly, “Are you going to call me spoiled again?” Cruz and Megan came barreling in and we pulled apart, looking up at the door.

“What’s wrong?” Cruz asked, scanning my face.

“Nevermind,” I said.

“Did you hear? Your dad’s paying for my school! This is awesome! Now I can quit my job and just work on my collection! I can spend my inheritance money on a car! I should make your dad a suit! Do you have his measurements?” His enthusiasm snapped me out of my funk and I got up to give him a hug.

“He’s not really a suit guy, Cruz,” I smiled, and added sincerely, “I’m very happy for you.”

“Did you call Evie yet?” he asked.

“No, but I’ll do it right now,” I said, “Oh… your mom went out for the night. Hey Megan, can you stay for pizza?”

Cruz and Megan each plopped down on a beanbag, and I excused myself to change and call Evie. She answered on the first ring, excited about Dad’s prize and effusive in her praise of him.

She told me to let Cruz know how much she was looking forward to seeing her gown, and we made plans to bring it up to her on Saturday. She happily chattered on about getting us lunch reservations at a hot new restaurant. I always felt better after talking to Evie, and the sting of my father’s sidestep was eased.

I took a quick shower, luxuriating in the hot water rushing all over me. I thought about the frigid ocean and felt a twinge of pity for Lorelei. This was a pleasure a mermaid could never know. I dressed, ran a comb through my wet hair and joined everyone in the living room.

“We’re on for Saturday!” I told Cruz, stopping when I noticed how they were all looking at me. The mood in the room was heavy, the air thick with tension, “What?” I asked. “What happened?”

“You need to stay away from the beach!” Cruz exclaimed with wide eyes.

“Jeez Marina,” said Megan, “Are you going to be alright? Ethan told us about the sea lions.

How are you even walking on your feet?”

“Can we skip the pity party?” I said impatiently, casting an accusing glance at Ethan, “What kind of pizza do you guys want me to order?”

They lightened up a bit, mostly since I wasn’t going to tolerate any conversation about every terrible thing that had been happening to me. I went to go phone in our order and when the pizza arrived we ate lounging on the couch. Abby might not have approved, but she wouldn’t have liked the pepperoni either.

Ethan insisted on taking a look at my feet and decided he needed to change the dressings. He went out to the Jaguar to get his bag.

“He’s staying in your room now?” Megan whispered to me, eyes wide and amused.

“It’s not like that,” I said, my cheeks flushing hot, “He’s just worried–”

“I think he’s a little more than worried,” she said with a knowing smile.

“Me too,” said Cruz with a wink.

I glared at them, “It’s hard enough without all of your innuendos.”

“That’s what
she
said!” Cruz screeched, sending Megan into paroxysms of laughter.

The two of them were howling with mirth when Ethan returned, looking between them and me with amusement. He must have gathered they were teasing me, and sat by my side protectively.

He took my feet on his lap, unwrapping the bandages, gently scolding me for getting them wet. Cruz and Megan looked shocked when they saw the extent of the damage. Ethan tenderly applied ointment to the stitches and wrapped them back up. He pulled my sweatpant legs up a little to reveal a couple of enormous black and purple bruises on my shins. Cruz and Megan gasped.

“Good Lord, Marina! You really do need a bodyguard!” cried Megan.

Their pitying eyes irritated me, “It’s not that bad.”

“If that’s not bad, I don’t know what is,” said Cruz somberly.

“Do you see what I’m up against?” Ethan said, thankful to have someone side with him. “I have to work after school this week. I’m gonna need you guys to help me keep an eye on her when I can’t be around.”

“Oh come on! I don’t need babysitters!” I protested.

“Look Marina, clearly the mermaids are communicating with you telepathically,” said Megan, “And with animals too. You should at least
try
to always be around other people who can stop you if they– I don’t know... hypnotize you or something.” Megan always had a way of getting directly to the point.

“Since when did you start believing in ESP?” I asked.

“Oh, probably just after I started believing in mermaids,” she replied, “Time to break out the tinfoil hats.”

“The what hats?” Cruz asked.

Megan rolled her eyes at him sarcastically, “You know, tinfoil... so the aliens and the government can’t read my brain-waves?”

Cruz scoffed, “You’re weird!” he said.

“You are
so
totally thick!” she fired back, shaking her head.

“That’s what
she
said!” Cruz shouted triumphantly.

We all laughed, and despite the mess I was in, I was surprised to find myself happier than I had ever been. With Ethan next to me I felt calm and relaxed, and I started to believe that everything would turn out okay after all.

The next week at school he was by my side constantly, making sure I stayed off my feet as much as possible. He would have carried me around if I’d have let him, but we were attracting enough attention to ourselves as it was.

The group of girls that followed the surfers around were noticeably disappointed with the situation, and I couldn’t help but wonder what they’d think if they knew where he was spending his nights. He refused to give up his vigil, and I really couldn’t argue after a particularly bad episode on Wednesday.

I dreamed about the circle of mermaids, only this time they were clutching at me, grabbing hold of my arms and legs. I was fighting them with everything I had, and I woke up to find Ethan wrapped around me, trying to wake me up and hold me down at the same time.

I was mortified to find that I had clawed at him and left marks on his arms. My eyes stung with tears of remorse and shame, and as hard as I tried I couldn’t keep from crying. I was bitterly disappointed that the sleepwalking didn’t seem to be ending, and now Ethan was being hurt by it.

He just held me, telling me it was going to be alright, until I fell back into a fitful sleep.

I spent my afternoons with Cruz and Megan. It made me uneasy to see how they watched me, constantly on the lookout for any strange behavior, but I went along with it willingly, encouraging Ethan to get out and surf as much as he possibly could.

The waves were big, and the contest was on for Saturday. A storm brewing off the coast was creating large ocean swells, making the surfers very happy. I was frustrated, wishing I could go and watch Ethan compete, but I knew that my presence there would be a distraction. It turned out that going to Evie’s that day would serve a dual purpose.

I woke up early on Saturday and quietly watched Ethan as he slept. His chest rose and fell gently, and his lips turned up in the tiniest smile, as though he were in the middle of a sweet dream. I had to fight the urge to kiss his eyelids, to run my finger down the length of his nose, to nibble on his ear.

He was so heartrendingly perfect he took my breath away. I wondered how I could have been so lucky to have met him, much less have him sacrifice so much of his time for me. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for him. I think I fell for him the first moment I laid eyes on him, but over the weeks my feelings had grown and grown. I had to admit that I was in love – deeply, endlessly, hopelessly, head over heels in love.

Acknowledging it to myself was more than a little alarming. I knew that Ethan cared for me, I just wasn’t sure he felt it quite so acutely. I also knew he was protective of me, which made me love him even more, but I didn’t want him to see me as needy and helpless. He’d been careful not to get too physical on his overnight stays, and I took this as a sign that his feelings were more muted.

It was different during the day. At school the heat coming off of him was intoxicating, and we were always looking for some secluded doorway in which we could kiss and cuddle, hidden away from our curious classmate’s stares. The mixed signals were maddening, and only made me want him even more.

Friday night had been a good one, with no sleepwalking. I hoped I hadn’t woken him in the night, but I couldn’t be entirely sure. Some vague, diaphanous memories of dreams hovered frustratingly just beyond my ability to recall them, refusing to leave me in peace. I felt like I was missing the obvious – as though I couldn’t see something that hovered right before my eyes. The situation had to change soon, for my feelings were so strong they scared me, and I was afraid I was on the verge of losing control.

I wanted him to get some rest before the tournament, so I sat up slowly and stealthily tried to unhook the surfboard leash. I just about had it off when hands snaked around my waist, and I was pulled back down, giggling.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked, wrapping his arms around me.

“I wanted to let you sleep,” I said, snuggling up against him.

He kissed my ear and muttered, “Mmm, you’re not making this easy on me.” I blushed, suddenly shy. I sat up and unlatched myself with a smile, “I didn’t wake up last night.” He ran his fingers up and down my spine, making me squirm.

“I wish we could stay here all day,” he said.

“Are you trying to get me in trouble with Cruz?”

“Who... me?” he said, his lazy eyes smiling.

I got up and gathered my clothes for the trip to San Francisco. Evie liked to see me dressed up, and I didn’t plan to disappoint. It looked like a cold blustery day, so I chose accordingly, picking a pair of tall black boots, patterned tights, a short leather skirt and a gorgeous cashmere sweater. I left to go change in the bathroom.

Cleaned up, made up and changed, I looked like a different person. A city girl. I knew Evie would approve. I came back into my room to find the bed empty.

“Ethan?” I closed the door to find him standing behind it.

“Look at you,” he said, reaching out for me. He hugged me to him, and looked me in the eye, “You’re tall today.” I lifted up my boot to show him the four inch heel. His brow wrinkled,

“How are your feet feeling?”

I smiled with a shrug, “Evie loves the designer shoes. She says we must
suffer
for fashion.” He frowned, and I tried to placate him, “My feet are much better, plus I’m only walking in these from the car to the elevator.” I kissed him, running my hands across his broad shoulders and back. I whispered in his ear, “I wish I could be there to watch you surf.” He held me tighter and pressed his face into my hair.

“You’ll be safer in the city. Just stay away from the water.”