The Years of Saltwater Tears

"Little Mermaid, won't you cry for the new year?"

The little mermaid answered my question with a shook of her head. The little mermaid began to swim around inside of the water bubble. I breathed while holding out my right hand to the drop.

"Concentrate, just concentrate," I muttered under my breath. The little mermaid's kicks were trying to burst the hovering bubble from the inside. Magic gave a slight hum from the drop. It floated above the crashing sea. Along with the waves, I could hear the New Year's Eve celebration behind in the distance. The beats of drums and dancing feet sounded in the air.

I took another deep breath. In my other hand, I clutched onto Father's amulet. It was a violet-purple gem with a silver strand. It glowed under the full moonlight.

My dark eyes glanced at the little mermaid. She continued to swim in a circle inside the water.

"Come on, little mermaid. You had cried for last year." I said, caring about her listening to me. "When Father came to you, you cried for the new year. Why won't you cry now?"

The little mermaid stopped swimming and looked at me with her big eyes. Rainbow locks framed her angelic silver-scaled face. There were no tears shed for the new year.

"No," sang the little mermaid, "No."

Frustration boiled inside of me like a tea kettle. My fingers became sharp claws. The magic hummed, louder like a gong. The bubble shrank, trapping the little mermaid into a tight ball. She wrapped her scaley arms around her bent tail.

"Come on, little mermaid! If you can't cry for the new year, cry for Father!" I shouted, clutching onto the amulet tighter. "He needs your help!"

My sight became blurry. I kept my eyes closed shut from that little mermaid. Father's gaunt face appeared inside my head. Instead of the waves, I heard raspy coughing. Father was back home, lying on the bed. He was waiting for it.

"He got you to cry..." Shaky breaths escaped from the mouth, "It's just for the spell."

I struggled to catch my breath. It was no ordinary spell. It needed to be all done before the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve. The spell must have a mermaid's tears to save one life. My entire body trembled as violently as an earthquake.

"Arin. Let her go."

A familiar voice snapped me out of the trace. I turned to the source and let out a small gasp.

"Arin," rasped Father. He leaned his frail back against the tree near the beach. Father's chest rose up and down. His bare feet took a graceful step onto the black sand. He glared at the little mermaid and me.

"What..is... a...good...wizard?"Father breathed that question with each step. I bit my lips from answering the question. All of the madness inside me melted away. The sea breeze cooled my skin like ice. As the bubble returned to its former size, my fingers relaxed from being a claw.

"Patience."

My head whipped to the little mermaid. Her heart-shaped lips formed a smile at both me and Father.

"Patience," sang the little mermaid, still holding onto her tail. My heart stopped for a moment. She knew the answer.

"You know?" I asked. My hand lowered the bubble to the sea. The little mermaid kicked her tail from the inside. The drop popped on the seashore. The little mermaid fell into the saltwater. She swam away from the beach and disappeared underneath the waves.

"You did the right thing." gasped Father. He put his bony hand on my shoulder and gave me a good shake.

"But, I was supposed to take care of you." I responded, "The new year..."

Both of my hands were closed into fists. Tears streamed down my cheeks. Without magic to save him, Father would be gone.

"No, we take care of each other." answered Father, "Soon, when my time comes, you will be the next wizard. But for now..."

His raspy voice paused before continuing, "Celebrate the new year with me."