The Mermaid in Me

Chapter 12 – The Truth comes Out

Alison’s eyes are about to pop out of her head. She certainly looks shocked it’s obvious. James on the other hand doesn’t looked surprised at all. It makes me think he knew or had an inkling about me being adopted. He always makes me feel bad about being in this family.

I look back at my Dad and spout off, “That’s a start I spent 17 years thinking I was a McLane. When were you going to tell me?”

My mom pipes up now, “We didn’t think it was important because we love you. We wanted you safe.” She really thinks that’s how you protect someone.

I spew years of anger at them. “If you call making me feel like a monster love, then you excelled at that! I have felt it for years!”

My parents look puzzled at my remark. Did they not think hiding me away was going to help my self esteem?

I push again for more truth. “Ok, now that we have that out of the way, where did you find me? Do you know my parents? I demand the truth!”

My Dad’s tone has softened, “We found you while we were on our honeymoon, we had just got to the hotel, and your mother wanted to take a stroll down to the beach that evening. We came upon you, a tiny infant lying in the sand as if someone just left you there.”

He takes a deep breath before he begins again. “Your Mother couldn’t help but pick you up, and you clung to her. I told her we needed to report a missing baby and that's what we did. We took you to the nearest police station and tried to find your parents. They didn't have a record of a missing baby. We spent the entire two weeks of our honeymoon, trying to find your parents or even family. Not one person came forward, and your mother wouldn’t just leave you after that. We talked about keeping you and we both decided you were meant for us. We followed all the rules of adoption, we waited and when we got the free-and-clear, we took you home. We even named you Sandy, because you were found in the sand. We never meant for you to feel like a monster or alone.”

His face looks like it had aged in a matter of minutes, my mom has her head hung low in shame.

My biological parents just left me in the sand? These amazing mermaids as Tasha calls them. Why didn’t they come looking for me? I'm so confused about who I am and where I even belong.

“So, you found me on the sand while on your honeymoon?” I reiterate just what my Dad had said so I can take it all in.

He nods his head in agreement.

“I can handle this, I need more information. Tasha has been helping me with this journey.”

My Dad interrupts and starts hollering. “You mean to tell me that your friend is the one stirring the pot for our family? How dare her! She has no clue what is like to find a baby and love it as if it’s her own.”

My jaw drops and I stand up and shout back, “Don’t you dare start in with her! If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have known I’m a mermaid!”

The room got extremely quiet at that moment. My Dad is looking at my Mom who both seemed shocked at my last sentence. James is looking at me like I’m a true monster, and poor Alison looks like she’s going to vomit from all of this. What on earth is going on with this family? Why are there so many secrets?

I pipe back up, “What? Did you not hear me loud enough? You told me my patches were birthmarks! You knew I was a mermaid, and you didn’t want me to turn into one!”

They all look at me like I’m crazy now, I start to sweat...

Dad starts questioning me. “What are you talking about? Mermaids? Are you sure you’re feeling ok, Sandy? I know finding out the truth is difficult, but to say you are a fictional character is crazy! You need to stay away from Tasha if she’s filling your head with mermaid nonsense!”

My mom chimes in at this point, “I think you need to rest Sandy, I am so sorry that we didn’t tell you about not being your real parents. But Sweetheart, your birthmark is just a birthmark. We took you to the doctors, and they had never seen those patches before. If mermaids existed, don’t you think someone would have told us?”

She takes a breath before she begins agin. “ I think you should go upstairs and lie down. This has been a very long day for you and all of us.”

I look at the family with a blank stare in my eyes. This is all so overwhelming I need to rest. Maybe I am the crazy one after all.

I try one more time, “I know I’m a mermaid, Tasha is one too! You just don’t want me to change over!”

My Mom gets up, and puts her arms around me, and says. “I would never stop you from being a mermaid, but you aren't and I know this. I don’t care what Tasha says you just aren’t! It's a lovely thought but it isn’t reality. We can see a doctor tomorrow if that would make you feel better?”

I can’t believe my ears! Tasha hasn’t lied to me. Why would she make up a story about us being mermaids? How would she know I’m adopted? Something isn’t right. I can feel it. I’m going to get to the bottom of this, but first I do need rest.

I get up from the table and say as politely as possible, “You are right, I need rest. Thank you for being honest about my adoption. I needed to know that.”

Both of my parents nod in agreement.

I can only imagine what they are saying as I lay upstairs in bed. I don’t care either I have had enough for today. The looks on James and Alison’s face were priceless, and I left them speechless for once. I won’t just stop with tonight. I’ll get more information. I have enough for Tasha to help me out with my family.

Maybe she can help me find my real. She knows the mermaids on the West Coast.

My mom lightly taps on my door before she enters. “Sandy, I brought your dinner up to you. I ordered pizza, you need to eat, please.” I can't even look at her.

She leaves the plate on my nightstand. “I’ll just set it here, and when you’re hungry, please eat it.” She kisses my head before she walks out.

I love her and my dad, but why would they lie to me, and for so long? I can’t even think about eating, I just want to sleep this nightmare off. I’m so confused!

Would my Mom tell me if she knew I was a mermaid? I know my father would be opposed to it he would want me to turn human. Something doesn’t feel right about my past still. It doesn't seem to be adding up.