The Mermaid in Me

Chapter 13 - Apple Farm

I keep replaying everything that was said. The night gets longer as my heart aches, knowing I really am that lost girl. I’m not a McLane. I’m not even sure I’m a mermaid. It all seems so messed up. My last year is turning out to be the most difficult year I have had. I thought fish legs was bad, that’s nothing. It’s only the second week. I’ve learned more about myself now than I have my entire life.

I must have fallen asleep before I felt a touch on my arm. “Sweetheart!” I hear my Mom whisper in my ear.

I roll my eyes at her. Then proceed to roll over in hopes she will just walk out.

She starts up again. “Please, I know this is awful. I was trying to help you. I never wanted you to feel like this. I have a family day planned for us.”

I pull the covers over my head and manage to grunt out. “I am not a McLane! I don’t know who I am. I’d rather just lay in bed all day.”

She pulls the covers back off of my face. I can see she has tears streaming down her cheeks. I can’t help it, but I explode into tears. She pulls me close up next to her chest. Just like she did when I was a child. Her unique smell of sandalwood along with her gentle swaying makes me feel at ease.

She kindly says. “I might not be your biological mother, but from the moment I saw you laying in the sand. I knew we were meant to be a family. If you want to look into finding your real parents. I'll support you. In my eyes you’ll always be my little Sandy.”

I can’t help but feel comfort in her. I don’t know if I can be mad at them. Were they lying to me or just keeping me safe? In time I guess I will learn more. I think I need to just let this work it’s way out. I can’t backtrack now, even if it hurts. I’ll have so much to tell Tasha.

“Mom, I like that idea. I would like to learn more about my real parents. I know you do love me and I love you. I'm just confused and want to learn more. I think, I can pull myself together and take some time to enjoy being a McLane.”

She grabs my chin and looks me deep in the eyes as she says. “You are beautiful and wonderful without a doubt. I will always be here for you. Now, go put on one of the beautiful tops you have, and come downstairs.”

She gracefully gets up, and blows me a kiss as she closes the door behind her.

That woman has done so much for me. I owe it to her. She saved me. I decide to pull out the floral top that she gave me years ago. I know she would like to see me wear it. It is beautiful and I have to admit I like it on me. This is the transformation into a new me. I’m not going to let pain stop me from growing even if the truth hurts. I'm not going back to the girl I was. I feel so differently now a powerful more beautiful version on myself.

As I reach the bottom of the stairs, I can hear my parents chatting in the kitchen about last night.

I interrupt them. “I’m alive. I made it through the night!”

My parents look up at me and my father says. “My beautiful! I’m glad. Your mother and I have a family day planned. Come sit and eat.”

My mom smiles at me as she hands me a plate.

I realize James and Alison are gone. “Where did James and Alison go if we are having a family day?” I ask.

My Mom blushes, “They went running some errands for us. They should be back very soon. They both decided to get up early and help with our day.”

I can only imagine what they are doing.

The next thing I know... They come barreling in through the door with balloons and a very handsome young man following. With flowers in his hand.

I gasp before spitting out. “Luke! What are you doing here?”

James and Alison are smiling, as Luke is standing with his arms open for me.

He respond concerned. “I heard about last night. James called me this morning. Asking if I’d come over to hang out with you all today. It sounds like you need me, and I want to be here.”

I grab him tightly and say. “Thank you!”

My mom rushes over and takes the flowers from me. She puts them in a vase she had gotten out.

I can see them all staring at me and Luke. It makes me feel awkward so I focus back on them. “Thank you, for all of this. I needed to know where I came from. I'm sorry it came out bad last night. I am so grateful for the truth. I can’t believe that you did all this for me. I do feel like family.”

I look at James a say. “I want to thank you for calling Luke.”

James shrugs as he says. “I care about you. I wouldn’t want to find out like you did.”

I can’t believe they went this far to make me feel wanted. This is what I’ve needed for my whole life. I can’t help but smile at them in shock.

“So, now that we have Luke here and all this love going around. What are the plans for the day?” I ask. Knowing they have more for the day.

My Dad proudly announces he is taking us to the apple farm. We haven't done that since we were younger. I'm shocked to see such an effort. When I hit my early teens, all of the family time stopped. My Dad started working more and my mother well, she just keeps to herself.

Alison jumps up and down in excitement. I can’t help but laugh, she’s the baby and it shows at times.

It’s nice to be on this apple farm with the family. It wasn’t the most interesting car ride. The boys talked football nonsense the entire time. We made it here and it didn’t have to involve any questions. For that I’m happy.

It’s weird to say. But, they all have been looking at me funny, including Luke. He keeps asking if I’m alright and if I want to talk. I don’t. I can’t tell him about being a mermaid. If my brother told him that part of our conversation, then he would think I’m crazy. I have a feeling this whole day has been planned around making sure I’m not going crazy. So I'm not going to ask anything more.

I start throwing the apples into the buckets. Alison delicately carries them to our parents. Luke and James are throwing them around like a couple of goofballs. I try and toss an apple at James, but I miss. It hits Luke instead. Luke comes running over and tackles me off the latter. We both land in the grass laughing and cuddling.

He quickly kisses me before my parents see. He lifts me back up as my parents come over to us.

My dad starts in at us as my mom smiles." Now you all kids better stop playing around. We need to get back home. It looks like we have enough apples for the entire neighborhood."

We all look over at the multiple baskets of apples and start laughing. He isn’t lying we have more than enough.