His Mermaid

Dad's secret

That night, Mom confronted me and asked about the drawing of Andrew.

"Be honest with me, Serena. Did you or did you not meet Andrew when you drew him? Where did you meet? You said that the guy you drew came from your imagination, why does he look like Andrew?"

I hate it when mom becomes this inquisitive. I can never have a private life whenever she pries into it. It's like I have no other choice but to confess her my stupidity or something. I sighed in defeat and looked straight into her eyes.

"Don't you remember him, mom? Remember the night I turned into a mermaid? There was a boy who saw me turn into a mermaid. That was him. I saw him last night while I was sketching by the beach when you were busy cooking dinner. I was so scared when I saw his face last night that I ran away before he could remember me. I think I pissed him off because I threw a rock at his forehead."

Mom's eyes widened at the mere mention of me throwing a rock at someone's forehead. 

"What exactly do you mean by that? Why on earth did you do that?! No wonder he was looking at you like he was about to kill you earlier. But wait, he's the boy?! Does he remember you? Well, does he?"

Now, mom is also frantic about my situation. I turned my back on her because I think I'm getting anxious just looking at her face. I told my mom that I am not sure if he remembers that night or not.

"That is why I need to stay away from him or he might remember and jeopardize my life. You do understand, mom? I don't think I will be able to help around the shack if he is there. I will hide in the kitchen whenever they come by, is it okay with you?" I ask mom, my voice is full of hesitation.

I wasn't sure if she will be okay with this set-up but she surprised me when she said, "Of course! I don't want to lose you, Serena. I'll tell your father about this set-up and make him understand that he doesn't need to make a move on the boy. He can make matters worse if he does move on the boy."

When I heard what mom said, I instantly brighten up and turned back to her just to hug her. "Thank you, mom! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She laughed playfully when she heard me say my thanks before telling me to go down to eat dinner. I followed her down and we all ate dinner while mom discusses my problems with dad.

He was rather calm and agreeable tonight. He's hiding something from us. Apparently, even mom sensed something was off with dad. "Are you hiding something from me? From the both of us, Dom?"

Dad finally looked up from his plate. He was looking down the whole time mom was talking to him. That's how we know he is hiding something from us. He cannot escape our questioning eyes whenever he looks at us straight in the eye. And he knows that he cannot lie or he will be kicked out of the house by mom.

"What are you hiding from us, dad? It's not going to be good if you hide it from us, from mom. Remember the last time you tried to hide something from me and mom?"

I really like it whenever I have to make him remember it because the last time he did hide something from mom, she kicked him out of the house for a whole week. Not only that, but he was also banned on the grounds surrounding the house and the shack. He also doesn't have any clothes with him. 

I actually don't know where he stayed that time. He never really mentioned it to me. It's like he is saying not to be like him, not to follow in his footsteps. I wouldn't do that unless it is necessary and I know how to hide it better from mom. 

"Okay, fine. Was Andrew the other young man that Jacob brought with him? The handsome one?" Dad asked with a nervous voice.

Mom's eyebrows went sky high (they didn't actually, but you know what I mean) at his question. We both nodded. Why is he being nervous? I am getting suspicious and nervous as well.

"Dad? What did you tell him about me?" I just have this feeling that is telling me that all of this hiding is about me. It is my gut that is telling me this, and I trust my gut more than anything else. I trust it even more than what those around me are talking about.

And right now, dad looked like a wilted plant. He was not looking at any of us and is instead looking down on his fingers and playing with them. I am trying my damn hardest to be patient with whatever dad is going to say but I don't know, I think I just might explode.

"Well... He was polite when he came up to me back in the shack and we talked about a lot of things. Did you know that we have a lot in common? So when he asked about you, I couldn't help myself and brag about you to him. He even asked for your number and my fingers had a mind of their own. They gave your number to him. I'm sorry, sweetie." He mumbled the last words to himself but I still heard it anyway.

I knew it! I think I just might explode because of what he just said. I had this perfect plan of staying away from him so his memory will not be triggered by constantly seeing my face but my own dad gave my information away to some random stranger.

"Exactly what made your fingers give my number to that asshole?"

Everyone on the table can tell that I am so pissed right now because they rarely hear me swear and I only swear when I am super pissed off. I looked to mom and said these words in a calm manner.

"Mom, I'll take my dinner to my room. I really don't want to lose my appetite right now because I am famished but sitting here and just imagining the damage of what dad's actions will do to my future, it'll spoil my appetite. Good night to both of you. I don't want any of you in my room for the week and I'm not going out of the house for the whole remaining of summer vacation. Please respect my decision and not disturb my sanctuary."

After that speech, I stood, picked up my plate that is full of roast chicken and several slices of cake, and brought all of them to my room. I left them at the dinner table and went my way up to my room. This summer is going to be the longest one yet.