Between the Land and the Sea - By Derrolyn Anderson Page 0,23

myself up in my quilt like a giant cocoon, I started to do some serious research. The only problem was that there didn’t seem to be much serious information to be found. I spent the next few hours cruising cyberspace, feverishly reading everything I could find about mermaid legend and lore. Every culture in every part of the world had tales of magical ocean maidens, and all sorts of different powers were ascribed to them.

I heard Abby’s footsteps come down the hall, followed by a soft knock on the door. I closed the computer. “Come in,” I called.

“I just wanted to check in on you before I left for the studio,” she said with concerned eyes.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes Abby,” I said firmly, trying to sound reassuring. “Can we just put this all behind us?”

“I guess so,” she smiled tentatively, “See you this afternoon.” I turned back to my mermaid research until I was interrupted by another knock on the door.

Cruz poked his head in.

“Are you alright?” he asked, “Mom told me what happened.”

“Yeah,” I said, huddling in my quilt. “I think my pride was wounded more than anything else.”

“Megan’s on the way over,” he said, “She’s bringing her guitar this time.”

“Excellent, I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

I got dressed and reached over to scratch Charlie under the chin. What he would think about a half fish, half woman? I smirked at the thought, and kissed him on the top of his furry little head.

When Megan arrived I settled into the comfortable couch with my legs curled under me while Cruz pleaded for her to sing us a song. She’d been creative in coming up with excuses to avoid performing for us, but Cruz had finally cornered her, refusing to let her forget her guitar.

I smiled some encouragement, “It’s just me and Cruz.”

She blushed, and then gathering her courage, pulled up a beanbag, sat down and began strumming on her guitar. She drew a deep breath and launched into a song about heartbreak and sorrow, the notes ringing out high and crystalline. Megan was suddenly beautiful, and the haunting melody she sang echoed against the hardwood floors, resonating throughout the room. I was reminded of the sweet sound of the mermaid’s voice and struggled to blink back involuntary tears. Cruz caught my eye and nodded knowingly. She really was incredibly talented.

“Wow!” I gasped when she finished, “That was amazing! You wrote that song?” She nodded, eyes shining, “Yeah.”

“Cruz wasn’t kidding about your music,” I said seriously, “You should perform in public!

Are there places around here with open mike nights?”

“I dunno,” she said, looking down shyly.

I told her about the clubs in San Francisco Evie used to scout for performers. She was always on the lookout for the newest and most talented musicians to showcase at her parties and charity events, and loved hunting them down for herself. Evie had a good ear, and was responsible for many an up-and-coming artist’s big break.

“I don’t think I’m ready for anything like that,” Megan said, shaking her unruly curls with a terrified look in her eye.

“I think you are,” I pronounced with conviction.

She blushed as red as her hair and stammered out her thanks. We spent the morning talking and I coaxed some more music out of her. The first song was no fluke, and as her confidence rose her voice strengthened. I was even more captivated after her second performance, now certain I was right about her impressive musical talent. I needed to introduce her to Evie.

Cruz told Megan about my near drowning and she repeated Ethan’s warning about keeping an eye out on the waves. Apparently there had been several accidental deaths at the beach over the years, all blamed on high, unpredictable surf and erratic rip currents.

“Cruz and I aren’t real beachy types,” she said with a smirk, “but then again... we’re not really into surfers.”

I cast her a baleful glare.

She returned my gaze mischievously, “Did Ethan really carry you all the way home?” she asked. I nodded, mortified and suddenly flustered.

“Well,” she said seriously, “I suppose that makes it all worthwhile.” Cruz and Megan snickered to each other as I flushed bright red.

“Very funny,” I said with a sour look, “but something else happened yesterday that I didn’t tell anyone.”

I’d felt as though I was going to explode all morning, holding in my thoughts of the strange encounter. The urge to say it out loud kept the news bubbling to the tip of my tongue, threatening me with its