The Mermaids' Mate

Chapter 17

"You're home as well?" I asked my mom walking downstairs. It was Friday today, but there was no school because of some odd holiday they have in this town.

Amy said that the founder of this town's birthday was today. The founder was Damien's great-great-great-great-grandfather. I had no idea how many greats it was supposed to be, but it was a lot considering this town was "founded" in the early 1800s.

"I guess the whole town is off today because some stupid mutt "discovered" some land out here and turned it into a dog pound." My mom said sarcastically, taking a sip of her coffee. "But at least I'm getting paid."

"Where's dad?" I asked.

"Garage working on my stupid car. Apparently, you're supposed to change the oil? What kind of nonsense is that? It's a car. It's supposed to work forever." She huffed. It was funny listening to my mom complain about human stuff.

"I bet they didn't have many cars in the ocean, huh?" I snickered.

"No, just a bunch of ships and planes polluting our ocean floor. A plane is actually how my great-aunt died." She said. Today was the first time she had talked about her family.

"Was she nice?" I asked, hoping she'll say more about her great-aunt.

"I'm not sure. She died 80 years ago, but enough about talking about the dead. Why don't you help your dad fix that piece of shit of a car? I'll fix us some salads."

"You mean lettuce? We don't exactly have the stuff to make salads anymore." Well, at least I know she had a great-aunt who died during ww2. I'm sure that's all I will ever know.

"We got cucumbers. My coworker grew them and gave me a bunch."

"Look at you, accepting food from a wolf." I smiled at her.

"I didn't have much of a choice. But it'll do for now." She shrugged and shooed me away while she prepared breakfast.

"So? What's for breakfast?" Asked my dad from under the car when he heard me enter the garage.

"Don't freak out, but we have romaine lettuce and cucumbers."

"Again? That's not even a meal." He groaned. "I might as well drink this damn oil. Probably has more nutritional value than those damn "salads" your mom makes."

"Don't let Mom hear you. Or you'll end up sleeping on the couch again." I laughed.

"I get a better night's sleep on that damn couch." He laughed. "Now, come on, help your old man out."

My dad was the one who taught me basically everything. He taught me to cook, dance, clean, learn Spanish, and even work on cars.

That was my dad's passion, working on cars. He said that he learned when he was a teenager living in California. Some of his siblings were joining gangs or selling drugs, but he was more interested in fixing cars.

He said it got him out of trouble. He made good money, too. He built a reputation around the neighborhood by fixing and working on cars, especially installing hydraulics for the lowriders.

He said he didn't enjoy it as much, cause it was hard. But that's where he made most of his money back in his youth, especially since they are popular in California.

~

"You're still going to the dance tomorrow?" My mother asked when we finished eating. I was cleaning the kitchen while she washed the dishes.

"Yes. I mean, I already bought the dress." I shrugged.

"You going with the wolf guy?" She raised an eyebrow at me.