Mermania

I love...you?

Our relationship, our family, was something different, something new. There were my grandparents, Lydia, Katie, and most importantly, Evan. They had changed my life, in more ways than one. Thinking about all of them, I appreciated all that my mom had done for me, moving us here. I was determined that the rest of the afternoon would be just about Mom and me. With all that she was going through, I was determined to make it a happy memory. Sara gasped in horror at the grotesque sight, the ocean waves suddenly forgotten. Each of Xanthus's muscles pulsed and throbbed as they grew and morphed. Muscles and tendons snaked around Xanthus's exposed legs, wrapping them from front to back as if they were tying his legs together. "Snug as a bug?" she asked him. Craig was silent for a moment. "How do you feel about being a mom?" "Sorry Mou, I forgot. Don't you think we'd better get going?" Xanthus glanced at the clock. "Yeah" Zach bounced up and down as they made their way through the cavernous, subterranean hall that curled beneath the field to the stands above. "He called it a strike, Dad!" the youngster marveled. "It was this far outside!" He stretched his hands nearly as wide as they would go. "I don't care!" she cried. "If we only have this summer together, it's more than I've ever had with anyone else. I love you!" He leaned in toward her. "I want just one night," he whispered and licked his lips. "Okay," he reported. "They only hurt if I go like this." He flexed his fingers into a fist. "Oh thank God!" I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "Who is Kieran?" "Let's get over there, then," Officer Garrenton instructed. Eddie stepped politely away, but she shifted to face him. "You can come, too, young man." Sara nervously moved to tuck her hair behind her ear, which was pointless underwater. Her fingers brushed over a small, floating braid. Adelpha didn't seem to notice her silly action. "What do you want to do now?" he asked. "Do you want to meet up with everyone at the Inn?" Evan's parents were hosting a luncheon. "I hope you don't mind," Evan addressed me through the rearview mirror as he started out of the driveway, "but we're meeting up with some other kids." "I don't know!" I ran my hand through my hair. "He wouldn't tell me." "I bet. Senior year in a new school. That gotta suck." "Yes?" "I'm her daughter," I said. "I understand," the owner said. "Hi Kit," he answered, still smiling. "Yes," Dr. Blackfeather nodded, "Lerwick. That was her name." Seattle, Washington. Kara rushed up the aisle to the boy, but when she reached him, she slowed herself and settled gently into the seat beside him. "He must be exhausted," she whispered to Craig. "He never sleeps in the car." "Okay, Zach," she said, gazing around at a dozen circular racks packed with shirts, "I have no experience in buying clothes for a boy. "His men drew their own weapons at the exact same time the three suspects split up, running in different directions. Darmik followed the man on the left. A second later, he realized Neco was pursuing the same person. That meant his other two soldiers were going to be fighting one-on-one. "You don't want to go back?" she inquired gently. I can't suppress the laugh that follows his words. After dinner, Lydia and Darren invited us back to the Inn for coffee and dessert. I thought it was rude to decline, but I didn't want to go. There were only so many hours left in the day, and I wanted time alone with Evan. He sqeezed my hand under the table. When I looked at him, he mouthed, "We'll get away." Then, he winked at me. I felt better. If anyone could maneuver his way out of a situation with parents and guardians, politely and without raising any questions, it was Evan. "When I met your mother, it didn't matter to me that she wasn't Selkie. I only knew that I loved her. That was all that mattered then, and it's all that matters now." Hitting the cold water, Darmik cringed, welcoming the feeling of losing control and the freedom that came with it. Kicking, he swam to the top, broke the surface, and took in a deep breath. The pitcher turned to shake Craig's hand, then Derek's. "Welcome to the field," he greeted them. Nyler gave Dr. Lerwick a wry grin. "Not to worry, Doctor. Eddie will pay his debt to society." She watched out the window as Zach rounded the house and chase with Paws. "He needs to go run a while. Besides, Craig," she said, turning back to him and kissing him once on the head, "this is our search, not his. His search was coming to find us and then convincing us that he belonged here. He's happy. We're the ones who need...an explanation. "The boy's eyes refocused on hers. "Grandmother used to tell me about you. She always said you were nice. She said Dad was strong and worked really hard." Kara and Zach finished their food, though it was clear that neither of them felt much like eating. She filled the dishwasher and set it running. The boy sat idly at the table, watching her. "Go get your jacket," she told him. "I'd like you to help me pick the vegetables before it gets dark." "Oh, I'm so sorry. I can't believe I did that to you. Come inside and you can rinse your eyes out." She tried once again to unlock the door. "I can't seem to get my key to work." "Leave them," Darmik commanded. He and Neco would never be able to catch them in Neco's condition, and Darmik needed to find his other soldiers. "They were well trained. Using techniques I've never seen," Darmik said, breathing heavily. "Neco, things are going to get interesting around here." He patted Neco on the shoulder. "We kept him running," Kara confirmed. "It was busy. We're so far behind. He really helped us, though." She sighed and leaned back in her chair. Everyone nodded. Grandma Mary said, "You go first, Meara. She asked for you." A news program ran and a man's voice hummed in the background, "Famous deep-sea diver, Josh Talbot, has been missing for over twenty-four hours and is presumed dead. He was last seen diving off the coast of Sicily. Searchers have yet to locate his