By eliz100
A cool breeze came through the window propped open with a screen. The air was crisp and smelled clean following a recent thunderstorm. Seana stood before the full-length mirror on the back of her closet door. Our Lady of the Sea (OLS) tracksuits were bursting out of the closet, and you could not see the floor because of the three levels of track shoes.
"Seana, stop looking at your birthmarks," Sophia grumbled. Sitting Indian-style on Seana’s twin bed. While Seana stood in front of her full-length mirror, looking at the arc-shaped birthmark under her right arm. Turning and lifting her T-shirt. She could see the same birthmark on her left side.
“We have been over this a million times, and you asked your mother more times than I can count what they are. She said they were birthmarks. Can we move on?”
Before Seana could respond, Corey breezed into the room, as usual, with the energy of a tropical storm.
“Did the meeting start yet? What did I miss? Is everybody here? Am I still plus one?”
“YES!” replied the other three girls.
This is the weekly meeting of the Three Musketeers, plus one. Better known as 3MT+1. Seana, Sophia, and Juliana have been friends since kindergarten.
As the three started their freshman year, Corey immediately meshed with the Three Musketeers, and she became their plus one.
Seana is a tall, slim competitive swimmer. She works to get good grades, not jeopardizing her status on the varsity swim team. Most days, she wears school sweats, Virgin Mary blue ( a little darker than sky blue), and gold. Corey teases Seana that she wears her swimsuit 24/7.
The weekly meeting of the 3MK+1 is called to order. This is a busy weekend for all of us, so let’s get started,” said Seana, the group's natural leader.
Juliana pulled her head out of the French book she was studying.
“Every spare minute, I’ll be studying French. I must ace the French exam next week to keep my average up. For extra credit, I will be on the French float in the homecoming parade. I will see all of you at the game tomorrow night. Right!”
“Right! Right! Right!” chorused the other three.
Cory reported, “I will be marching with the band and playing at the game, so I hope all of you will sit near the band so we can hang out.”
“Sophia, are you with us?”
“Yes, but you know how my parents are; overprotective does not even describe it.”
“I am supposed to be on the Sophomore float in the parade. They said okay, but they were not sure about the game. You know one must come to the game to be my chaperone.” Sophia scrunched up her face and put the chaperone in air quotations.
“Well, on that note, I will close the weekly meeting 3MT+1.”
Seana pulled out her gavel, a large rubber, gray seal, and slapped it on her leg as the girls yelled, “Go Seals.”
“Remember, my mom wants you to come for brunch on Sunday.” She is acting weird about my birthday. “Sophia, can you hang back and help me pick out a dress for the Homecoming Dance unless you want me to wear one of my many tracksuits”
“That will not do,” Sophia said as she headed to the closet. “Which of these beautiful finds will you be wearing Saturday night.”
Sophia stuck her upper body in the closet, came out with a navy blue dress on a hanger, and held it in front of Seana.
“What do you think, girlfriend? With a silver necklace and black ballet flats, you would rock it.”
Seana looked at herself in the mirror, scrunching up her face and tipping her head from one side to the other. "I am not sure."
“OK! Next.” Sophia pulled another dress out of the closet.
“Let me present dress number two. It’s a blue and purple tie-dye fabric with a touch of pink. The design is a slight A-line that would go great with your ankle-high suede boots.”
“Ok, Seana, which dress do you choose? I recommend dress number one, simple and elegant, for your 16th birthday.”
“Girls, it is time for dinner,” shouted Seana’s mom Lucy.
| Author Notes | I aimed this at middle school readers. All constructive feedback is welcome. I have reworked this chapter and added to it. This chapter is 1406 words long. |
By eliz100
The girls were finally together in the newly renovated stands at the football game. Sophia's mom, Loren, sat behind them with a cooler of drinks and snacks.
"I like these new seats. Did the principal win the Irish Sweepstakes?"
Sophia responded to her mom, "Our Director, Father Brennen, said an 'angel' benefactor donated the money, and we're to pray for him."
"Well, I'll say a prayer too. You can't beat a padded seat with a supported back and a drink holder." Smiling, Lauren semi-yelled over the din of the game and the noise in the stands.
As the first half ended, the band started en mass to leave the stands and prepare for their half-time performance. Our Lady of the Sea (OLS for short) has a strong music program.
When the band was in the shape of a seal and played the school song, many sang along and did the Seal's clap. (Clapping the forearms together and barking like a seal.)
The half-time show concluded with a roar from the OLS crowd, and soon Corey was back in the stands.
"Can we talk about tomorrow night?" Corey bubbled as she sat in the middle of the group.
"+1 is here. Are we on for the sleepover at my house to celebrate Seana's birthday?"
"What time are we meeting at your house?" inquired Seana.
"My mom says, please come over at 6:30 so she can feed us. You all know how she is about food. Food is 'LOVE'.
A chorus of yeses responded.
As the crowd cheered, everyone looked toward the field. Jack Anderson, a junior at OLS, is running down the field with defenders falling behind every second. Then, he crossed the goal line. The band started playing the school song. Blue and gold pom-poms danced in the air. The kicker got the ball between the goalposts. Game. Over 14 -0. The stands emptied, and the girls separated and yelled, "See you tomorrow."
***
Seana lives with her mother outside of town, in a chalet-style house, with a wall of windows in the front. Seana's mother, Lucy, is the best seamstress in the area. She loves the wall of windows for the light so she can do her hand sewing. All the ladies want a one-of-a-kind Lucy dress for their special occasions. Lucy has a workroom in the back next to Seana's bedroom.
Saturday morning arrived, and Seana woke at her usual time, 6:00 AM. She was already awake when the piercing sound of the alarm startled her. Fighting out of her jumbled covers, she realized it was raining closer to a deluge than a sprinkle. One of those soaking rains gardeners love.
Seana sat on the side of the bed, elbows on knees and head in hands.
This day is not starting well; rain means no five-mile jog to clear her head.
Boo Boo ran into the room, taking a running leap onto Seana's lap, knocking her back on the bed, and licking her face.
"Boo Boo, stop!" Laughing Seana pushed him away from her face.
I know you are disappointed, but no run today, big boy"
Boo Boo is a black and white Dalmatian that was Seana's tenth birthday present. It was love at first sight. As they both grew, BooBoo was relegated to her dog bed. Seana's twin brass bed was not big enough for both of them. Seana wasn't willing to give it up.
"Ok, Boo Boo, you will help me pick an outfit for the dance."
Seana put on the navy blue dress with ballet flats and her silver necklace with the sea shell charm.
"Mom, can you come here a minute?" Seana yelled.
"Be right there."
Seana stood in front of her mirror, turning this way and that.
Lucy, Seana's mom, came walking into the room. She stopped suddenly, "Oh Seana, you look beautiful. Lucy held out her arms, and Seana walked in for a hug."
They rocked in each other's arms, sometimes laughing, crying, savoring the moment. as a mom and daughter. Both knew this was a special moment. All the angst between them melted away.
"Happy Birthday, my daughter."
***
| Author Notes | I aimed this book at 7th and 8th graders. All constructive criticism is appreciated. |
By eliz100
The girls burst into Cory's bedroom. Shoes flying off, dresses unzipped, and placed on hangers. Cory's bedroom fits her to a T, a blaze of colors. Turning around makes one dizzy because each wall is a different color: red, yellow, purple, and teal. Mermaids on teal, a red dresser on the red wall, the sun and sunflowers on, you guessed it, on a yellow wall, and her bed against the purple wall with a purple bedspread to match. Cory's bed with the trundle pulled out and a large air mattress was enough sleeping space for the 3MT+1 (three musketeers plus one) to sleep comfortably, but sleep was a long way off."
"What's up, Cory, with Charlie following you all night?" Seana asked.
"Mrs. Parish said we should hang around together since we are playing Romeo and Juliet in the spring play. He is attached to my hip everywhere I go."
"Do you like him?" asked Juliana.
"Ugh! He is not my type. I am an actress. I will 'like' him until the spring play. I am not looking forward to the kissing scene. It is hard to pretend to kiss someone you are not crazy about."
"Seana, what about that senior who had his eye on you all evening?
Do you know him?" questioned Sophia.
Juliana piped up, "he's in my French II class."
Cory had a puzzled look on her face, "Shouldn't he be in French III as a senior?"
They all looked at Seana. She shrugged, "I don't know him at all."
***
Corey's mom woke the girls up at 9:00 a.m. She enticed them with the smell of bacon and eggs. They came to the table, still rubbing the sleep out of their eyes.
"Remember, girls, you must be at Seana's house for her birthday brunch at noon."
With only one shower, it took the girls hours to prepare for the birthday brunch. There was much squealing and giggling as they prepared.
Mr. Nelson pulled the car out of the garage into the bright sunlight. H e opened the back of his four-door pale-yellow Studebaker station wagon. The girls filed out of the house, digging in their bags for sunglasses.
.
***
Seana opened the door to her house to an explosion of Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen, all in her favorite color, teal, and mixed shades of green and blue.
"WOW!" Yelled Cory as she entered behind Seana, Sophia, and Juliana, "oohed" and "aahed" as they took in the decorations. A Happy Birthday Sweet 16 banner hung on the wall above Seana's chair. Helium-filled balloons were secured to her chair. The centerpiece, yes, you guessed it, Sweet Sixteen, with blue and green crepe-paper seals on gray rocks surrounded by the blue sea.
"Sit here, Seana," said her mom as she pulled out the chair at the head of the table. Juliana, Corey, and Sophia filled in the other chairs, leaving one for Seana's mom.
Lucy served a delicious lunch of fried cod with french fries and coleslaw. Everyone knows she makes the best coleslaw around. The girls ate and talked and talked and ate. When finished, they helped clear the table and returned to their seats. Lucy disappeared into the kitchen for a few minutes. She returned with a flaming birthday cake and started singing Happy Birthday as the girls joined in.
The cake was before Seana, and everyone yelled, "Make a wish." Seana took in a deep breath and blew. She snuffed out all sixteen candles.
Seana cut the cake and took the first piece for herself. Lucy served the girls and herself.
Lucy sat down and cleared her throat, "ahem."
"I Have something to share with the four of you."
"Seana is half mermaid."
Seana's blue eyes widened in disbelief, and her mouth made a perfect circle before she covered it with her hand. Cory started breathing fast and shaking her hands,
Juliana said, "Oh! My God."
Sophia jumped up and ran around behind her chair. "Are you kidding me?"
Lucy sat quietly with her hands folded in her lap. Her brow wrinkled, and her lips were in a straight line. She waited for the girls to settle down.
"The rule for being a part mermaid is spending time under the sea during your sixteenth year. After that, she can decide if she wants the sea or the earth."
Seana looked befuddled, "How does that work?"
"We'll talk about that later."
"This needs to be a secret. There is a box in front of each of you. You may open it."
The girls picked up the blue velvet box on the table. Inside was a silver chain with a sea horse charm, just like the one Seana always wore.
Lucy said, "Seana will be gone on the weekends. Kids will ask what happened to her. I am not asking you to lie. Just be evasive. Take a moment, rub your sea horse charm, and an idea will come to you."
Seana, fingering her sea horse charm, asked her mother," How does that work?"
"You and I will talk about it later. It is one secret of the sea. There are many more you will discover."
| Author Notes |
This is the third chapter of A Mermaid Tale or (Tail). It took me a while to get this chapter posted. My goal is one chapter per week. I will do my best to reach that goal. This chapter has 914 words.
Thanks for reading. |
By eliz100
The girls lived near the beach, with Seana living the closest. They enjoyed the sandy beach from May to September. From October to April, the water was too cold. Besides the beach, there was a cliff called the Whale. All whales have a blowhole that spouts water. The cliff whale hole spouted twice daily at high tide near the cliff's edge. Water jetted out of the hole like a whale spouting water out of his blow hole.
The police department put up barriers to keep people out. They posted signs, Keep Out. The Town Council had the cliff evaluated by a geologist. Because of the erosion under the cliff, they recommended that people not venture on the ridge. They reinforced this message in the schools, Girl and Boy Scout meetings, Sunday School classes, and parents and teachers.
Do Not Go to the Whale!
The cliff consisted of coal-black rock without any vegetation. The saltwater that blows out of the whale twice daily kills any seedlings that fall on this cliff. The water on the cliff makes the black stone sparkle like someone threw a handful of silver glitter on the cliff.
A fall chill was in the air as Seana and her mom walked hand in hand and squeezed between the barriers.
"Mom, I am scared there is a reason those barriers are there."
Lucy faced her daughter, "Don't worry, you will understand everything. Lucy put her hands on Seana's shoulders and looked her in the eyes. I love you, and all will be well."
As Seana and Lucy talked and hugged, the whale spouted higher and higher.
"When the water is higher than you are tall, jump in with your hands above your head."
Lucy placed her hand lightly on Seana's back.
GO!
Jumping, Seana began twirling like a top. Many young girls have a pink jewelry box, and when opened, a tiny pink-clad ballerina twirled on her ballet-slippered toe to music. Besides twirling, there is an up-and-down movement like the agitation in a washing machine. Seana feels tickled by tiny bubbles that surround her.
Seana floated out of the whale in a cloud of bubbles. With saucer-sized eyes, she looked frantically around. She heard a voice saying, " Come, come, " and she looked around in a panic.
"Welcome! To our world."
"I will be your sea-sister. Ocean 401. First, we communicate by our thoughts. Learning to block the thoughts you want to keep private may take some time. You will be Sea N132. They give every merperson a sea name. Informally, I am 01, and you will be 32.
Seana looked at herself and the other mermaid. They both had blue-green iridescent scales which covered their body up to a sweetheart neckline. The back sloped down like the back of a one-piece bathing suit. And went down to their tails.
"Tail, I have a tail! What happened to my feet?
"They will come back when you need them. This will happen for a year until you decide on this date next year. Will you be a mermaid or a landmaid?
"Next year, what about right now? I have a tail!"
01 messaged, "I heard that loud and clear. Let's take it one step at a time.
You are a swimmer, right? So you know the butterfly stroke. Move your tail, starting at your stomach and down through your tail. It is an up-and-down movement. Try it.
(Seana), 32, tried moving the lower part of her body. Gliding through the silky water, she was pleasantly surprised at how effortlessly she glided.
"I hear you have many questions. Let's start at the top. Merpeople's eyes have a transparent covering to prevent irritation and damage. It is like an interior eyelid.
Have you noticed that you are getting enough oxygen? Remember the birthmarks under your arms. They have turned into gills to allow you to breathe underwater. Seana lifted her arms and looked under each arm. Seana could see the gills opening and closing.
"I am curious if I will get used to being a number, not a name Number 32. That's me."
"The second thing, Ocean 401, pointed at the dolphin that suddenly appeared beside her. This is your dolphin. His name is Ko Ko Mo. Say hi to your new merperson.
"Hi, Sea N132. Hop aboard." Sea N132 heard. It surprised her that she could hear her dolphin's voice. People on land hear the different squeaking noises and underestimate the dolphin's intelligence.
The dolphin keepers have trained him for a rider. Dolphins are fast, strong swimmers who must learn to slow down to carry a merperson. Lay down, put on the shoulder harness, and hold on. It will be quite a ride.
| Author Notes | This book is aimed at middle schoolers. |
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