The Mermaid Tale "If I Could Stand"

Love

Perhaps, Andrina was correct on the theories on how mermaids met many human lovers once they turned human. There had been David. I hadn't spoke to him since our intimate moment in the meadow. I didn't want to get close to him, and it scared me to even think about it. His cousin tried to force me, and set fire to my home. I'm still afraid.

"You look like hell today Anastasia." My red hair flips over like a tumbleweed as I glare at her. I was tired and had been for many days.

"You weren't in any water were you?" She asks suspiciously.

I throw her a surprised look. Does she seriously think I'd do something this ludicrous and stupid?!

"No, of course not! I can't believe you actually think that." I say shaking my head. She smirks and walks into the kitchen.

"You hungry?"

"No." I say still using my irritated tone.

"Suit yourself. Bacon and eggs morning for meh." She says.

I roll my eyes and move to the bean bag near the window. All I saw were houses of neighbors. I yearned for the lovely nature at my old home. I still couldn't get over the fact that Cody tried to hurt me and then burned our house down.

"Did the police ever find Cody?" I ask interrupting the sizzle of the bacon.

"Nope. But, when they do I hope he experiences what rape is like in jail firsthand."

I grin.

"The police haven't come to speak with me for awhile."

"Ana, they don't want you to worry. Just stay away from that area. Don't go back to that meadow or anything. You're safe here."

"I miss the nature....is that why you decided to live there? Because of the trees and flowers?"

"Maybe, I kind of just wanted quiet. I was going through a rough time when I bought that house. It wasn't cheap either. It had so much land. It angers me, when I think of that son of a bitch burning our home. He had no right."

I see the bits of sadness in her eyes. I loved the home as soon as I arrived. It felt like warm and loving. I cried for nights when I found out it had burned down. I can't imagine the sorrow Andrina must've been feeling.

"I'm sorry Andrina. I know it meant much to you." She smiles at me.

"You sure you don't want any bacon?" She says smiling.

I get up and smile back at her. Sometimes, I forget I was once a mermaid. It's almost as if I had completely conformed to human life, but inside I feel this darkness. It's hidden sadness that I block out, but I feel like one day it's going to scream, and the truth will come out.

But now, I'm just gonna enjoy breakfast.

***
"Maybe you should paint a picture of the sun? Could you?" I ask as I circle around Alessandro and his grand painting of the flowers and trees.

"The sun could be tedious. I don't want to blind myself. I could just find a painting from online and use it."

I nod and I position my straw hat so it's not longer in my face.

   My eyes scan Alessandro. These moments where I'd watch him paint, we're so intimate in a silent way. No, we didn't kiss or make love like the humans did in the movies, but I'd admire his work.

"Hey....Ana, I was wondering if you'd...like to um-"

"What?" I ask shooting up. I knew I sounded a little too excited, but I was.

"Would you like to go on a date with me sometime?" He asks.

I watched as his face reddened. I could feel my heart taking steps to the edge of my chest. Did he just ask me out?

"Wha?"

"I understand if you're bus-"

"I'm not. I'd love to go with you." I love you.

"Great, tomorrow night around eight okay?" He asks.

I nod.

Shortly afterwards we clean up the area and I walk with him down the hill. I keep sneaking peeks at him and my heart pumped with a strong scary feeling. Love was so overwhelming sometimes.