“She didn’t try to hurt me on purpose–
there must be a safe way I can talk with her again.”
“Are you nuts?” asked Cruz, exasperated.
“You don’t know the half of it,” I said, thinking about Lorelei’s words.
“You’d have to be crazy to go anywhere near her!” he gasped.
“Don’t worry about me– I’ll be fine,” I said with conviction, and I truly believed it, for even after my near death experience I still wasn’t afraid of Lorelei. She was the only one I knew who would tell me more about my mother. Besides, she might actually be part of my family and she deserved the benefit of the doubt. I was somehow certain she wouldn’t hurt me... at least not intentionally. I simply needed to be a little more careful.
I thought about how effortlessly she had propelled me through the water, and remembering how strong she was sent a chill down my spine. It ended right where my tail would have started if I were one of them. Cruz and Megan got up to leave.
“Could you please take the evidence? I asked, gesturing towards the paper sack and burger wrappers.
“You look better already with some meat in you,” said Megan, and Cruz almost fell over in hysterics. I could hear him teasing Megan and laughing all the way down the hallway.
Later that afternoon Abby arrived to pick me up. We checked out at the nurse’s station and I was forced to ride down the elevator in a wheelchair. I felt like an even bigger fool than ever and was thankful no one from the high school was around to witness the spectacle. I told Abby that I’d promised Dad I’d take swimming lessons and she seemed relieved when I told her that he wasn’t angry.
I said I’d prefer to swim in the sea because I couldn’t stand the chemical smell and taste of chlorine. I actually liked the silky feel of the saltwater, at least when I wasn’t choking on it.
Abby agreed that I should learn to swim in the ocean, since I didn’t just nearly drown in a pool.
We made plans to go look for a used wetsuit at the local flea market.
I avoided the beach for the rest of the week, and Abby kept a watchful eye on me. She took me along with her to the yoga studio, and I joined in on her classes or sat and read quietly in the corner. On Sunday morning she insisted that I go with her to the farmer’s market; I didn’t argue.
I was going to have to show my face in public sometime, and it was a nice day.
Aunt Evie always said it was better to be over-dressed than underdressed; she also said that looking good was the greatest revenge. I was determined to put my best foot forward and hold my head up high. If I did happen to run into any gossiping high schoolers I was going to look put together.
Flipping through the hangers I chose the stunning turquoise sundress Evie had given me the day I came to Aptos. I slipped on a pair of glorious new golden sandals with delicate woven straps that circled my ankles. I studied my reflection in the mirror and saw that Evie had chosen well again. I put on some liner to enhance my eyes, fluffed up my hair and stood up straight. I looked like an older and more confident version of me. I decided to call Evie tonight to catch up.
We got to the market and spent some time strolling around outdoors in the bright sunshine.
My spirits lifted, and I began to feel better about everything. Abby said she had some business with Ethan and she’d find me later. I was happy to skip that stand, feeling even more embarrassed than ever after our exchange in the hospital. I realized that he was just trying to be nice, but knowing he thought I was suicidal aggravated me.
I wandered around, smelling the flowers, pinching the herbs and picking out the most delicious late summer fruit. I came to the stand with all the Asian vegetables and stopped to inspect the unusual variety. I recognized baby bok choy, long asparagus beans and some funny little white eggplants. I sniffed at some unfamiliar herbs, thinking Abby might enjoy trying some new ingredients. A figure came from around the back of the stand and I glanced up into a familiar wizened old face.
“Hello Lue Khang,” I said with a friendly smile, “Did you grow