The Mermaid in Me

Chapter 23 - Wild Goose Chase

We all sit in silence, as the ways crash against the shoreline. I love this feeling! I can see the people walking down the shore, but I don’t see any mermaids. I’m not sure what to look for, since they can be walking around like humans. Maybe I’m looking for their tails to flip out of the water? Ha! I feel the connection to the water and the force it brings me. I think it’s time to walk, I’m sure the others are bored by now.

I stand up and begin. “I think I’m ready to go back to the hotel. If you all want to get some rest? I'm tired and ready for our adventure tomorrow. I’d like to explore the town and people watch if you don’t mind?”

My parents stand up and gather around me in reassurance, my dad replies. “We agree with Sandy, we all need some rest after today. She’s the leader, and it sounds like she has an adventure for us.”

I can’t help but grin at them for allowing this, and supporting me.

James interrupts. “I want to be adopted now! I want to lead this family.”

My dad smacks his head and responds. “You would wish that, but then again... We can leave you here with the flamingos.”

We all go into a roar of laughter and tears. Except for Luke, who stands there like he didn’t hear the joke. He has me worried.

As we start walking back, I tug for Luke to slow down, so we can talk. “Are you ok with being around my family for this long? You look bored with us.”

He grumbles, “I guess I didn’t realize how important this was for your family. All this excitement, I think has given me a headache. I just need rest, and I'm praying your brother doesn’t bug me. I wish I could spend the night in your room.”

I can’t help but blush, I would love that.

“I would like that too, but you signed up for this, and you knew James would be here.”

I grab him for a kiss and embrace the moment. It feels as if time has stopped, and a fairytale is coming alive. He holds me in the moment and I melt in his arms.

Why would I change into a mermaid and ruin all this? My parents love him, and I can’t be with him if I change over. That’s one of the stupid mermaid rules. Why have these rules, when a human family found me?

Alison isn’t bad to share a room with. She’s just demanding and spends hours in the mirror getting ready. I woke up to her blow dryer going.

“Do you do this every morning?” I ask in a moan, after she turns off the dyer.

“Yes! I’m sorry for waking you up. I am a bit nervous walking around town, I want to look good. I might find my own prince charming.” She turns to me with admiration in her eyes.

I reply, “I needed to get up anyway. You always look good so don’t worry. Your prince will come. I better get ready before my prince thinks, I turned into a frog.”

Alison throws her towel at me and says. “It’s not a frog he’s worried about, I think it's that you are going turn into a mermaid.”

I look at her shocked, as she just laughs at me. I thought she was serious.

“I don’t think so. Those things aren’t real! Remember what dad freaked about?” I can’t help but get a little annoyed with the joke.

She proclaims. “I was just teasing, don’t get so uptight! I don’t think you are crazy! I would love to meet one in real life.”

Did she really just say that in a town filled with them? She is in for a surprise, especially with me as her sister.

I still don’t know why my leg hurt last night. I want to see if it happens again today. I need to get to the beach again.

There’s a pounding at our door, I open it, to see Luke there.

He pulls me in for a hug and kisses.

He then goes into explaining. “I couldn’t wait any longer to see you. I had enough of your brother for the morning, he’s driving me crazy.”

My heart flutters with excitement that he would come to me. I understand not wanting to be stuck with James.

“Well, you don’t have to wait. We are just about ready to leave.” I grab my bag and bolt for the door. Alison is minutes behind us.

We all decided to stick together while we walk the town and see the different shops.

We stop at a few cute little places that had ornate figurines of mermaids. It makes me wonder about the town.

I ask my parents to stop by the police station to look up the records of any baby missing after July 12th. They both agree, knowing they did the same thing.

We all get to the Police station in a pack. There isn’t much of this town. You can walk to one end of it to the other. I’m sure someone would have said something by now about a missing baby.

I ask my mom. “Do you think it would be ok if just you and dad come in with me.” I notice Luke looking at me, but he doesn’t seem to look angry. I smile back at him. Hoping he understands this is personal, and I don’t even want my siblings to go in.

I want it just the way it was years ago.

My mom proudly announces. “We want to give Sandy some privacy, so only us three will be going in. We shouldn’t take long, so go across the street and grab some ice cream. We will meet you in just a few.”

She made my life so much easier with that. I can see Luke’s disappointment, but the Ice cream seems to sway him into a smile. I blow him a kiss and walk into the station with my parents.

There aren’t many officers in the building, I counted three at most. I go up to the oldest one I can find, he’s sitting behind the desk.

“Excuse me, Sir!” I announce.

He looks up at me and nods. “How can I help you, little lady?”

“I was wondering if you knew about a missing baby, found on this beach about 18 years ago?”

He looks at me puzzled, and then something hits his mind.

“I remember only one child being found on this beach. We don’t have too many missing babies, it’s pretty crime-free around here.”

I can tell he’s not lying, by his stomach. It’s protruding over the desk. He doesn’t look like he does much running of any thing.

I push for more information. “Well... Did you find the parents of that baby?”

He shrugs his shoulders at me. “Are you missing a child?”

I look over at my parents, with failure in my eyes.

They come to stand next to me, my father starts to speak for me in a firm tone. “She is that missing child, and she’s here to find out if anyone came to look for her!”

The officer gives my dad a funny look and then proceeds to laugh. “Wait... You remind me of a young couple. Are you the McLane’s?”

My dad’s shoulders broaden as he replies. “Yes, do you remember us? Because I remember you now. Our little girl wants to find out about her past.”

The officer stands up and speaks directly at me. “Well you are so lucky, your parents found you. They spent many nights searching for your real parents. We still haven’t had anyone come in since then. I wish I was of more help.”

I interject. “You mean to tell me... Not one person came in saying they were missing a child? That is just awful that someone would leave a baby!”

I start to feel weak, knowing this isn’t human at all. I am a mermaid!

The officer replies, “That is why I said you were lucky. You have amazing parents, that are obviously doing all the right things. I wish I could give you answers.”

It’s like he’s on repeat. I know I’m lucky. But why would mermaids leave me on the beach for humans to find me?

I start to cry, my mom clutches me and whispers. “I know this isn’t easy, you need to hear these things for yourself. I didn’t want to take you from anyone. I knew you were special and you still are.”

I embrace her hug, knowing she would fight for me. She brought me all the way here, just to satisfy me and my yearning to learn anything about my past.

We walk out of the station, no better off than when we walked in. It feels hopeless.

I see Luke and run straight for his embrace. He sees the tears in my eyes and walks me away from the group.

“I didn’t want this for you. I had a feeling this would make you upset. You have amazing parents.”

I grasp him and admit. “I just wanted to know as much as I could. Call me silly but...” I try and speak past the tears. “Don’t people report missing babies? Am I that big of a loser?”

He pulls my face towards his and speaks softly. “I don’t know about this town, but I know about you, and none of these things matter. You are my Sandy!”

He is so right. I don’t care what Tasha and Devin may think. Mermaids aren’t fun in my eyes, actually they worry me. They left me on the beach and never wanted me back. This guy wants and cares about me. Not once has he controlled me or made me feel bad, other than coming out here searching for my stupidity. He has only wanted the best for me.

My parents decided it was time for a break, and we needed to eat. I don’t mind. I need a break from the search. I don’t think I’m going to find anything about my real parents at this point. I don't even know I should continue.

We find another spot to eat at. It’s just as cozy as the last. You would think someone in this town saw something that night.

I just don’t get it. Not one person saw me being left in the sand. How can this be? What type of people, keep secrets like this? I feel like a fool for bringing my family on some mission. Only to find out, I am just a typical adopted child of parents that didn’t want me. And if I am a mermaid. Then I'm not a good enough of one, because they gave me to humans. How confusing is this?

I eat everything I can, all these emotions running, make me want food. I just need to feed my soul that aches.

Luke leans over, “Sandy, do you want to go back to the hotel and rest?”

I look up off my plate and realize they are all done. Just watching me scarf down my food. I haven’t even heard them talk.

“Umm... No, Luke. I just needed some food to eat. I’d still like to go to the beach, before we head back to the hotel. If that’s okay with everyone?”

Not a peep comes out from anyone. We pack up and head back to the beach.

This time, the sun is out. I can see more of the water and the people walking the beach. They each look happy as ever, some are wearing swim suits. I don't see tails or patches.

The closer I get, the more power I feel inside of me again though. I know exactly the spot to go, without the need to look for a bench, which has an old lady with an umbrella sitting there. She looks just as happy as ever watching the people. I smile at her from afar.

My dad grabs my mom and takes a stroll on the beach. I lay in the sand with Alison, as Luke and James throw rocks in the water. The pain comes back from last night. It’s stronger today than it was yesterday. I can’t help but clutch it.

Alison looks at me concerned, “Are you ok?”

I look to see where Luke is at, “Yes, my birthmark hurts and I don’t know why. Please don’t tell anyone. I just need to get up and walk around come with me."

We walk past the old lady sitting at the bench and smile.

She croaks at me, "Anahita, you aren't supposed to be here, they will find you."

I look at her confused and explain. "I'm not Anahita. I'm Sandy, and I here with my family. What's your name?"

Alison looks at me as if she wants to leave, I don't blame her.

But this woman knows something. My gut is telling me.

She looks at me in the eyes. A green glow appears, and her tone becomes fierce. "Anahita! I'm Maggie the mermaid, and you can't be here! Please be safe and go back with your family, now!"