Seaweed (8 page)

“Where did you meet him?”

“At the beach, why?”

Her frown lingered. “No reason.” She threw in the cucumber pieces she’d finished chopping and settled her blue eyes on me.

“Dori, I want you to know that you can talk to me about anything— and I mean anything.”

Huh? Oh, no. She wasn’t going to give me a sex talk was she?

“Okay,” I said nervously. I quickly grabbed the salad bowl. “I’ll meet you outside.” I wondered if loneliness was getting to Nana. Grandpa
had
been gone for over ten years.

Everyone engaged in
Please pass this, please pass that
, until we all had what we wanted on our plates. This was followed by the muffled sounds of munching with appreciative moans thrown in for good measure. Once the initial hunger was staved off, the conversation began.

“We have Tor and Jolene here,” Nana said. “So, where’s your girlfriend, Mark?”

“Yeah, where’s your girlfriend, Mark,” Luke mimicked.

“No time for girls, Nana,” Mark said, picking corn from his teeth. “Besides I’m leaving soon. I’ll find a girl in Calgary.”

“Careful, Mark,” Luke jibed. “You’re going to make Mom cry.”

“I’m already crying,” Mom said good-naturedly. “Every night in my pillow. When I’m not stroking his baby picture.”

“I’ll have to peel your mom off you at the airport,” Dad added with a grin. “It’s gonna be embarrassing.”

“Don’t worry, Mom,” Luke said. “Tor’s here now. Soon you’ll forget all about Mark.”

I gave Luke the evil eye. That was hardly funny and by the muted laughter, I could tell everyone agreed with me.

“Just joking,” Luke said defensively. “By the way, Tor, what was with the big search and rescue thing the other week? Your way of making sure we all get to know the new guy?”

If Luke were closer I would’ve kick him in the shins. As it was, he still shouted out, “Ow.”

“Shut up, Luke,” Jolene said. Ah, so she did the kicking. I’d have to thank her later. “You’re being an idiot.”

“Hey, no offense, man. Just asking. It’s not like I’m the only one.”

“I slipped off the wet rocks,” Tor said politely. “It was an accident.”

“Sure man,” Luke said. “No big deal. You’re all right, that’s the main thing.”

I jumped in. “Can someone pass the salt?”

We made it through the rest of dinner and all the additional awkward moments. I excused myself and went upstairs. When I returned, I was ready.

“We’re going back to the beach,” I said, collecting dirty dishes. “I’ll be home after the fireworks.”

Tor and I walked along the beach where the bonfire had been, hand in hand. I held my sandals in my free hand, enjoying the feeling of sand dragging between my toes.

“Sorry for the inquisition back there,” I said.

Tor chuckled. “Actually, I expected worse.”

“Luke was in his best worst form, and I don’t know what was wrong with Nana.”

“They’re just protective of you. You’re the only girl and the youngest child; I’d be worried if they didn’t show concern when you bring boys home.”

“I don’t bring
boys
home. You’re the only boy.”

“What about Colby Johnston.”

Oh, what did he know about that? Or worse, what did he think he knew?

“He’s just a friend, almost like a brother.”

“I don’t think he sees you as a sister.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Guys can tell when they like the same girl. I’m sure it’s the same with girls who like the same guy.”

He had a point.

“I know Colby likes me,” I admitted. “He’s told me so, himself. I just don’t feel that way about him.”

We slowed to a stop and I looked at Tor, working up the courage to present the question I was dying to ask him.

“Well, I’m wondering if it’s okay for me to ask you for an early birthday present. I know it’s still over three weeks away, but I can’t wait.”

“Um, okay. What is it?”

“Will you take me swimming?”

“What?”

I knew he heard me; he just couldn’t believe what I’d asked for, because we both knew what that meant.

I stared into his bright eyes. “I want to go swimming with you.”

“Now?”

“It’s starting to get dark and we can go to your cove where it’s secluded.”

“I see you’ve thought this through.”

“I have. I’ve got my swimming suit on underneath my clothes.”

Tor laughed. “Well, it’s not like you haven’t seen everything already. Let’s go.”

He led me expertly through moon-lit darkness. I trusted him with my every step. We got to the steep crevice that concealed his cove and he helped me down. Instead of making our way up to his cave, like before, we stayed on the rocks.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked.

“I’m more than sure.” I let my sundress fall to my ankles. I was wearing my red one piece. Tor whistled.

“Oh, stop that.”

He laughed and dove in. I watched as he submerged, but he went too deep and many minutes passed before he surfaced.

“What are you waiting for?”

Tingles of excitement shot up my spine and down both my legs. I was about to swim with Tor the merman!

I jumped in and gasped from the cold, but with the way adrenaline was pumping through my veins I soon warmed up. There was enough moonlight reflecting off the water that I could easily make out Tor’s face. His eyes were glinting with amusement.

“Let’s see what you got.”

His tattoos danced in a hypnotizing swirl; I couldn’t take my eyes off of them. Then he splashed me with his tail. With his tail! I swam my hardest and could barely keep up. I felt like I was just learning to swim, a complete novice.

Tor laughed and swam my way. He stopped where I treaded water, turning his back to me. “Climb on.”

I held on tight and laughed out loud with the thrill of having Tor’s body under mine, my arms wrapped securely around his neck. He dipped under water. Tor knew I could hold my breath for several minutes, but I couldn’t actually breathe under water. He stayed close to the surface.

“Show off!” I shouted.

He slowed things down then, almost to a stop and pulled me around so we were holding on to each other face to face. I could feel his scales with my toes, the muscular strength of his tail as I wrapped my legs around his body.

He tilted his head and I leaned in, touching his lips with mine. Ocean water mingled with our kisses.

“Is it possible for a merperson to fall in love with a human?” I whispered in between breaths.

“Yes.”

“It’s happened before?” I was surprised. I really thought those kind of stories were lore.

“It has.”

“Good.”

We kissed and kissed and kissed, like the world would end if we stopped, until the fireworks shot off. Tor and I scanned the sky and it felt like the fireworks were bursting with color just for us. Then he kissed me again.

“You know,” Tor said, his eyes twinkling. “Independence Day fireworks go off in three days, just across the border.”

“We may have to come back,” I said coyly.

“We may.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

When we got back to the rocks, Tor hoisted me up but stayed behind in the water.

“Wait for me in the cave.”

Though curious about the process of how his tail would shape shift back to legs, I respected his privacy.

Dex had the Coleman lanterns lit so it was easy to find my way in the darkness. I slipped my dress back on before calling out, “Hello?”

Dex appeared in the entrance, his shadow looming like a giant, and I felt momentarily frightened. He probably didn’t take trespassing lightly, so I added quickly, “It’s Dori. Tor sent me. He’s, uh, coming and asked me to wait for him here.”

“I see,” Dex’s low voice rumbled. “Come in, then. Would you like some tea?”

My core body temperature was below comfortable levels and I nodded. Hot tea would be wonderful. Seeing me shiver, Dex handed me a blanket. I wrapped it tightly around my body before sitting in one of the chairs around the table.

“My nephew must think more highly of you than I first imagined.”

Yay. Hearing Dex say that made me bubble up inside. “Why do you say that?”

“He’s never gone swimming with a human before.”

He’d known we were swimming together. I supposed my wet hair and the damp spots on my dress were a giveaway.

“I like him a lot, too.”

Dex paused to consider me. “Liking the boy may not be enough.”

A dark shot of fear seared me. Was Dex going to ask me to leave Tor alone?

“Maybe it’s more than ‘like’ for me.”

Dex poured the boiling water into the teapot, and carried it over along with three matching cups, cream and sugar.

“My dear, I’m afraid you don’t know what you’re signing up for.”

“Why don’t you enlighten me?”

He poured for both of us.

“Our life is very complicated.”

His explanation was cut short by the sound of someone crying out in pain. My heart dropped. “Tor?”

Dex nodded. “Pain is a prerequisite to the pleasure of being human.”

Tor cried out again and I jumped to my feet.

“Dori!” Dex shook his head in warning. “It’s almost over. Now, come sit.”

I returned to the table, my legs quivering. Tor had known he’d have to endure this tonight when I’d made my request. I felt sick.

I sipped my tea, but I couldn’t stop my eyes from darting to the doorway waiting for Tor.

“Like I said,” Dex continued, “our lives are very complicated. Tor and I are trying to fit into two opposing worlds. You only understand one.”

“I want to understand both,” I said quickly.

“I’m sure you do. However, for you it is impossible. Dori, dear, I know I’m asking a lot here, and it’s only because I love my nephew…”

My heart plunged to my feet. I didn’t want to hear what he was going to say next.

“If you truly care for him like you say, you should let him go.”

“Let me go where?” Tor walked in with a bounce to his step. You’d never guess he’d just gone through agony to get those legs.

Dex flashed me a look. He didn’t want Tor to know what he’d asked of me.

“Uh, I was just telling Dex about my swim meet coming up this weekend,” I said. “It’s the Maritimes competition, the lead up to the Junior Nationals. Do you want to come?”

I hadn’t planned on inviting Tor. I couldn’t imagine what he thought about our human swimming competitions. After swimming with him tonight, he must think they were a joke. “You don’t have to,” I added. “It’s no big deal, really.”

“I’d love to,” he said with a smile.

Dex handed him his cup of tea, his frown barely concealed.

“My only problem is the humidity in the pool room. I might have, uh, a reaction.” Tor blushed and an overwhelming wave of affection for him washed over me. Suddenly, I wanted him there. I wanted him to share my life as much as possible, especially since I couldn’t fully share his.

“There’s an observation room,” I said. “It’s behind glass, and very dry.”

“Great!” Tor grinned widely.

Dex’s mouth pulled down into a deeper frown. I’d just done the exact opposite of what he’d asked of me.

I squirmed under Dex’s disapproving gaze. “Uh, I should go, Tor. I told Mom I’d be home after the fireworks.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

I sat in the middle of the backseat of our family SUV, an older model Ford Escort. Tor was on one side, behind my Dad who drove, and Nana was on the other side behind my mom. Nana smelled heavily of a floral perfume, like she’d just stepped out of her own garden patch.

Mom cranked her head back at us. “How’s your uncle?” she said, not waiting for an answer. “It’s so strange that we haven’t run into him yet. You should bring him around some day.”

“He’s fine,” Tor said. “And I’m sure he’d love to meet you.”

“Are your parents coming to Eastcove this summer?” Her eyes moved back and forth between us as though checking to make sure we weren’t holding hands or cuddling. We weren’t.

“No. I’ll be going to Maine soon to see them.”

Maine? Like on the coast of Maine? Or like a thousand leagues under the sea off the coast of Maine? And what did he mean by
soon
?

“Oh, that will be nice for you.” Mom stared at the road then back at us. “Do you have any brothers or sisters, Tor?”

“An older brother,” Tor said. “He’s left home.”

Mom’s eyes blinked quickly like she was trying to think of something else to ask him.