The Mermaid in Me

Chapter 21- Road Trip

I get home and realize I have to go to the front door. The lights are off, so my parents should be asleep. It is the night before we leave, and they have to be tired from planning. I creep in unnoticed, except for Alison, who opens her door and winks at me. I’m sure she imagines I just got home from Luke’s. Ha! The secrets never end in this house.

I giggle at her and wink back before I shut my door for the night.

My Mom is in my bedroom before the sun is even up.

“Get up, Sweetheart! This trip is for you and we need to get on the road as soon as possible! I’m gathering your brother and sister now, then we pick up Luke.”

I yawn at her in agreement.

I barely slept a wink because I was so wound up after my talk with Tasha. She doesn’t trust Luke and it just doesn’t add up. He has been acting weird but protectively. I gave my word to Tasha last night, and I’m not going back on it. I am just going to enjoy the trip. Take in anything and everything I can. I'll talk with her after the trip, and if I find out something, she will be the first to know.

We all gather our bags at the front door, as my dad loads it all. It seems like a lot of stuff for a four-day trip, but there are six of us going. I can’t wait to get on the road and finally get to see where I am from, we finally grab Luke.

He climbs in the SUV behind James and Alison. I get a kiss before he buckles up and leans back for the ride. It’s crowded after so many hours of being stuck in the Truck. Luke has his headphones on without a care in the world. James is passed out, and my mom keeps asking if Alison or I want any snacks. I know she is bored and nervous. My dad has been focused on the road, he hasn’t talked much other than shouting at drivers. This is the longest car ride ever but we will be at the hotel soon. My parents said they stayed in a cute little hotel, right off Coral beach, and I’m excited to see it all.

We get to Coral Beach, and you can tell we hit the shoreline. There are miles and miles of cute little houses right on the beach. The air smells of salt, and the streets have sand over them like snow. The houses are all vibrantly colored, and there are decorations all over the streets. It is almost Christmas, but this town has pink flamingos lining the streets with Santa outfits on. We don’t decorate for Christmas in Crestview like this. We just put some trinkets up in the house and call it a holiday.

I look over at one very cute house and ask Luke. “Would you ever want to live right off the water in a small little town like this? I think it’s adorable what they are doing here.”

He frowns at me in disgust. “I don’t want to live in a small town, or by the water.”

I shrug at him, if he killed mermaids or helped. He wouldn’t give that answer.

James joins in on the conversation. “I think it’s weird they still put up decorations, especially in this heat.”

“No, it’s not!” Alison roars at him.

My dad announces over all of us. “I guess it doesn’t matter since we don’t live here, but your mother and I thought it was nice. We are about to be at the hotel that we stayed in, right after we got married.”

My mom reaches over and grabs his hand. He briefly looks at her, as he’s driving, with love in his eyes. That is true love for sure. I know my dad wouldn’t like this town, but to go here for her, is beautiful. I hope Luke will do that for me someday.

I can’t help but laugh at it all. If my real parents kept me, would I be living on this beach, decorating a house with pink flamingos dressed as Santa? I can’t help but wonder and would I even like it.

We pull into a driveway that leads to a big house. It’s painted purple and yellow, pretty mild compared to the other houses. My parents booked three rooms for all of us, the boys share. I don’t mind being with Alison, she seems to be happy, and that makes me more excited about this all. Luke grabs his bags and mine, as we walk up to the house.

My dad greets an old man, and they talk for a minute before they break out in laughter, over something. This isn’t like a regular hotel much more like a bed and breakfast. This means there’s more history to this town, then my parents realize. I notice my mom is off glancing at the murals on the wall of the waves. Each house has its theme I’m learning, and the entrance is all water-themed, from the light blue walls to the pristine white furniture. There is sand is vases with sea glass mixed in. It gives off very a calming feeling.

He finally comes back with the keys for us. I want to get down to the beach as fast as I can, but Alison is practically dragging me to the room. I know we need to get freshen up, but can’t that wait.

Our room is just as beautiful, I can see the beach from the window. It looks amazing, the waves are so many shades of blue, with splashes of white, after the waves crash into each other.

Alison pipes up, “You should change and clean up before dinner. This place is amazing. I can’t believe this is your birthplace!”

I reply. “I’m so glad we share a room. I want Luke to have fun in learning about me, but he doesn’t understand, he thinks it won’t change anything.”

She states, “All guys are like that. We girls need to push out the frilly stuff every so often, give him a chance to see your world. Will it change anything after this trip? Have you shown him your birthmark?”

I glare at her in response.

“Okay, no need for the looks. I won’t say anything more about it. I know it wouldn't be easy for me either, but you have an amazing boyfriend.”

She won’t understand, so I say. “Thank you for understanding. No, it won’t change anything. It will help me learn about a missing part of myself, that’s why we are here. Give me a minute and I’ll be ready.”

Within minutes I’m ready to meet everyone downstairs. It would be me and Alison that everyone is waiting on, we needed to look to the part of an adventure. I do love her even if we aren’t blood-related. Luke doesn’t say anything, he knows I’ve been taking longer to get ready as I want to look good, but by the smile on his face, he doesn’t mind.

We all get to the little restaurant on the corner. It’s cozy next to the beach. The sunset is coming, I wonder If I'll be able to see anything? I have my eye on the water and once dinner is over, I'm going straight there.