“That can’t be too much fun for you.”
“No more than it is for you to have to sit on the dock.”
“I wish I could swim with you.”
“You will soon, and the waiting will make it all the sweeter when we do,” he said tenderly.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Lana felt the same feeling warm her within as she looked into his eyes and he looked into hers. Then she took the opportunity and quickly splashed him. Prince Titus slightly waved his tail sending a tide across the dock drenching Lana. She laughed and said, “That’s not fair! You’re so much stronger than I am!”
“Does it bother you?” Prince Titus asked seriously.
“No, it’s cool.” She smiled.
“This word, cool, you have said it before. Do you mean cold?”
“No, it means good.” She laughed out loud.
“Your language is very confusing,” smiled the Prince shaking his head.
“Yeah, I guess it can be, but I’ll teach you,” she said teasingly with a smile.
“I would like that very much and I will teach you the ways of the mer when we are able to go out together,” he said proudly.
“Sure, I’d like that.”
“This graduation, is it important?”
“Yeah, kind of, it means that I’ve completed my school.”
“I see; then it is important. You will not have to go there anymore?”
“Nope, that’s it. Some do go on to more schooling, but I’ve chosen not to,” said Lana looking up to read his face and his thoughts on the matter and both said that he was very pleased.
~~~
One evening, Lana was in the kitchen making dinner and her father came home. He had a funny look on his face and was carrying a small package. “What’s up?” Lana asked.
“I picked something up from the mainland today that I got for your fish boyfriend.” He grinned.
“Dad, I’m not even sure if he is my boyfriend and I don’t think you’d want anyone calling mom a fish,” she said a little upset.
“Yeah, you’re right, probably not. Anyway, I think he’ll like it.”
“What could he possibly like? I’ve thought about giving him something, but don’t think he needs anything.”
“Oh, he’ll like this.” Her father pulled out a half domed glass paperweight.
“Why would he ever want that?” She looked puzzled.
“Look inside.” He brought it closer and showed her the picture inside. It was a picture of Lana in her prom dress.
“Dad, that’s actually pretty cool, he just might like it at that.” She smiled as she remembered that night.
“They guarantee that it’s waterproof, although you can’t be sure if they meant salt water and the depths that he travels,” her father chuckled.
“Can I give it to him tomorrow?”
“Sure.”
“Thanks Dad, that’s a great gift!” She hugged him.
~~~
The next morning, Lana got up earlier than usual and took the gift to the dock. Prince Titus was true to his word and soon surfaced. Wow, I really like that about him, how I can count on him to be here whenever I want to see him.
“You are welcome and what brings you out so early on this fine morning?” Prince Titus asked with a bright smile.
“My dad had something made for you that he thought you might like.”
The prince was intrigued, “What is it?” He smiled a half grin, not sure what Cole could want to give him.
“It’s sort of a glass rock with a picture inside, see.” She handed him the paperweight.
“It is of you, the night of your dance! I will cherish it and it is an honor that your father has chosen to give it to me.” He said as he stared at the picture smiling.
“Yeah, well I’m not sure about that,” Lana giggled.
“Tell him thank you for me.” He beamed.
“I will.”
“I will have to show it to my friend Levu, who lives on one of the islands near Fiji. He is always asking what you look like.” The Prince smiled.
“You have a friend there, is he a mer?”
“No, he is a native boy that I saved when his raft crashed into a coral reef several years ago. His mother had a hard time birthing him and she named him Levu, which means big. He was no small boy I assure you. He is a strapping boy of fourteen now,” said Prince Titus as he smiled and held his arms wide open to describe his size. It made Lana laugh.
“That’s amazing that you’ve remained friends through the years. Aren’t you worried that he might tell others about you?” Lana asked with concern.
“No, the islanders respect the mer and a few know of us and keep our secret.”
“Wow that must be nice. My dad tells me that the islands are beautiful in the South Pacific and the water’s warm,” she said imagining how wonderful it must be.
“Yes, it is beautiful and peaceful there. We have a lot of freedom to swim unnoticed. I would love to take you with me, when next we go.” He smiled his widest grin.
“When will you be leaving?” Lana asked, ignoring his smile.
“We leave in the fall.” He smiled widely once more.
“So soon?” Lana asked realizing that he must be reading her thoughts about how much she would miss him.
“Yes, but if you cannot go, I might choose to winter here,” he said sincerely.
“No, I could never ask you to do that and I’m sure that King Titan wouldn’t like it either. Your people need you,” she answered with conviction.
“Then, perhaps your father will allow you a time to travel with the mer and see if it is your destiny,” said the Prince hoping that it could be so.
“I don’t know about that one.” She rolled her eyes.
“He is very protective of you and wishes you to be safe. I can understand his fears. I would never allow you to be harmed,” he spoke the words so lovingly.
“I know, maybe my dad will let up in time.”
“Yes, I think he shall.”
Lana and the Prince talked the hours away. She only left the dock for a short trip to the house to get something to eat and when she returned, she laid down on the dock pretending to suntan. She made sure that she lathered up with plenty of sun block. Prince Titus stayed below the dock and they talked until the sun had set.
~~~
Lana had spent every day of those two weeks after prom lying on the dock talking with the Prince. She resorted to wearing a straw hat, long sleeves and pants to protect her from the sun. When Prince Titus sensed her getting too hot, he would send a wave completely drenching her. She loved it. Lana’s father was never too far away. They often saw him standing near the front door or walking along the beach nearby. They didn’t mind, they came to expect it.
“Tomorrow is your graduation?” Prince Titus asked.
“Yeah, it’s finally here and I’m actually a little nervous.”
“What do you fear? Is it that boy?” Prince Titus asked with concern.
“No, I’ve avoided him enough. I’ve even told my other friends that I was grounded so they’d stop asking me to go swimming with them.”
“If you wish to swim with them after graduation, I will not mind.”
“No, I really want to swim with you.” Lana smiled.
“I am glad, perhaps I would have minded a little. And, what is that word you say, cool!” Prince Titus smiled brightly.
“Yeah, you’re getting the hang of it,” she giggled.
“Will I see you tomorrow?” he asked hopeful.
“I plan on it; I think my dad knows that. I mean, I don’t mind taking a little time out after graduation for him, but I was hoping to go swimming with you in the afternoon.”
“Cool, I am really jazzed by that,” he said proud of himself.
“You’re turning into a typical teenage human,” she laughed.
“Perhaps not so typical,” he said as he fanned out his ears and moved them back and forth.
He made
Lana laugh so hard that she once again had tears in her eyes and she could hardly catch her breath. “Stop that! I can’t breathe!”
Then Prince Titus sent a wave over her once more and she tried splashing him back. Just then, some joggers were coming up the beach and Prince Titus submerged. Lana pretended to be writing in a journal that was now soaking wet. The joggers ran past and the Prince only let the top of his head surface with his eyes barely above the water and he spoke to Lana in her mind, “Is it safe?”
Lana began laughing out loud again, he was so funny. Then she pushed the top of his head under the water and he quickly came up and stopped right in front of her face. He smiled a wide grin and Lana realized that he had just read her mind about wanting to kiss him. He slowly put his lips to hers and gently kissed her. They both smiled to the other from the tingling sensation that they felt.
“Okay Lana, I think it’s time you come in. The sun set a half hour ago!” her father called from the house.
“I’m sorry.” She smiled slightly to the Prince.
“I am not.” He gave a wide grin, then jumped into the water and swam away.
~~~
The next morning, Lana was in a frantic. She couldn’t find the tassel for her cap and had nearly broken the zipper on her gown when she got it caught in her clothing. She was running late and her father was already in the jeep waiting. Come on, come on, come on Lana! Finally, she found it and ran out the door. She caught a glimpse of Tempest jumping in the waves and she knew that the Prince was wishing her well.
When they arrived at the school, they went into the gym where all the seniors sat in chairs on the gym floor. The parents sat in the stands and her father gave her a kiss for luck and quickly found a seat. Miss Perry waved a hello and asked if she could sit next to him and he gladly accepted the offer.
The ceremony was typically long and Lana found it hard to sit still. Man I wished they’d hurry up. Finally, her time came to accept her diploma. When she walked across the front of the stage, she nearly tripped over a speaker wire and blushed as she took her diploma from the Principal’s hand. Yep, that figures. She saw her father smiling across the room and Miss Perry seemed a little misty-eyed. The entire class let out a yell and threw their caps into the air when it was announced that they had made it.
Lana’s father invited Miss Perry to join them for lunch at their home afterwards. She actually brought a small graduation cake and a gift for Lana. As they three sat at the table eating, Lana noticed the way her father was looking at Miss Perry and she began to concentrate to see if she could read his thoughts. Oh my gosh! She was shocked to find she could and he looked up and smiled a wide grin at her. Then Lana was just as shocked to realize that he could read her thoughts and she accidentally knocked over her glass of water.
Miss Perry quickly got up and helped to clean the mess and asked, “Would anyone like some cake?”
“Yeah, I think we both would,” Lana’s father answered still smiling.
“Dad, how long have you been able to read my thoughts?” Lana asked him in her mind.
“Since before you were born kid, only I didn’t realize how good you had gotten at it,” he let his thoughts tell her.
“I can’t believe it! You’ve heard my thoughts about Prince Titus?”
“Yeah, and his about you; why do you think I’ve stayed so near you both.” He grinned.
“Dad, that’s not fair!” Lana pouted.
“Look Lana, you were just doing it with me.” He raised both his brows.
“Am I missing something with you two?” Miss Perry asked.
Lana smiled a phony smile to her father and then she spoke to Miss Perry, “No, dad’s just being his usual self.”
“I’m really proud of you kid, I know you want to go swimming with your new friend and it’s okay, just don’t go too far and please be back by sundown. Tell him he better behave himself,” he said out loud, but in his mind she could tell that he was also going to enjoy some alone time with Miss Perry.
They each smiled to the other and Lana said, “Thank you Miss Perry, I hate to run out on you, but I’ve had a date planned for two weeks now.”
“That’s alright Lana; we’ll get together another time.”
“I hope you’ll stay awhile, I’d like to give you a tour of the lighthouse,” Lana’s father said to Miss Perry.
“You know, that would be wonderful. I’ve always wanted to go and see the inside, I’ve just never taken the time.” She smiled at him.
Lana headed out the door as quick as she could change and grab a towel. She was so upset; I can’t believe that dad’s heard all my private thoughts and especially those of Prince Titus! He’s right though, about my listening to his own thoughts of Miss Perry. The funny thing is; I hope they two do get together. Miss Perry’s the closest thing I’ve had to a mother these past few years. Lana got past the anger and replaced it with joy; it was awesome to think that the two people that meant so much to her might actually find some happiness for themselves.
Prince Titus and Tempest were waiting for her at the dock. It was a beautiful afternoon as the fog had burned off to a crisp blue sky and bright sunshine. Lana was so happy to finally swim in the ocean once more. Here I come! She ran as fast as she could to the end of the dock throwing down her towel as she jumped head first into the cool water.
“I am so glad you are able to swim with me once more,” the Prince said in her mind as he swam up next to her smiling.
“Believe me, so am I,” she smiled back. Tempest came along on the other side and brushed up against her and it was as though he were also smiling. Lana saw how many swimmers and surfers there were all around them. Wow, I can’t believe how dangerous it’s been for Prince Titus to come to the dock each day.
Prince Titus smiled and let his thoughts ask her, “Do you trust me?”
“Yeah, you know I do.”
“Then climb on my back and hang onto my neck,” said the Prince as he helped her and brought her arms around his neck. Then he and Tempest took off like a flash and left a white streak in the water behind them.
Lana giggled inside at the thrill of it; now I know how he’s managed to get past everyone undetected. This reminded her of Tempest taking her on a ride the first time she saw him.
In no time, the Prince slowed his pace as they neared a sunken ship resting on its side. This was a much older ship than Lana had seen down by the pier. “This is one of my favorite ships,” said the Prince as he swam towards the stern of the ship. Lana saw the words, BONNIE SARAH, deeply carved across the back. Then the Prince swam over the portside of the ship and Lana saw how big the ship really was. It had to have carried a large cargo and crew. Then they swam towards the bow. Lana could see that there was some sort of carved figure ahead.
Prince Titus stopped right in front of the figure and Lana saw that it was of a mermaid. She’s the very likeness of my mother, the way I saw her in my dream. “I believe the person who carved this must have really seen a mer.”
“Yes, I believe that they did. Now you know why I like to look at it.” He smiled and then he helped her off his back and held her hand as he led her on a tour.
The ship was nearly intact, except for a small hole in the underbelly and the cabin doors had broken off. It was easy for the Prince and Lana to enter together. It was very dark inside, but soon Lana’s eyes adjusted. There was such beautiful carvings along the inside railing. What wonderful craftsmen must have made her. Prince Titus quickly grabbed Lana and pulled her to his chest and held her against the wall. “What are you doing?” Lana let her thoughts ask him a little nervously.
“I did not think that you would like to be their next meal,” he said as he looked behind him and Lana saw three tiger sharks gently gliding past them.
“Ugh, thanks, no I really wouldn’t. Why didn’t they bother you?”
“They are generally friendly, and they would not wish to fight a mer.”
“Then I’m sure glad I was with you.” She smiled
slightly, still a little nervous by their closeness.
Prince Titus gently released her and continued showing her the ship. One of the cabins they came into was filled with tiny seahorses and Lana was amazed at their intricate and delicate features. They’re beautiful!
It made the Prince smile to see her enjoying them. “I know we do not have much time, but there is one other place that I wish to take you.”
“Sure, wherever you want.” She realized that he wanted her to ride on his back again so they could get there quicker. She allowed her thoughts to tell him that it was fine and she climbed on his back once more and held on tight.
LEGEND OF THE MER Page 7
