02 The Moon And The Tide - Marina's Tales Page 2

  “It’s just like a dream!” he gushed.

  “Yeah, if you sleep inside a cooler,” I grumbled.

  December days in Norway started out frigid and warmed up to freezing, so we explored stores stocked with all kinds of luxurious knits, woolen coats and furs. Evie found some exquisite wraparound sweater dresses in the softest cashmere possible. She insisted on having me try on several different colors, always looking for perfection with her educated eye. Evie treated Cruz to a wildly impractical overcoat with a fur trimmed collar; it made him look like a glam rock star from the seventies. I found some velvety soft cashmere accessories and bought scarves for Abby and Ethan along with a beret for my good friend Megan back in Aptos.

  Just about when I thought I’d drop from exhaustion, Evie and Cruz finally had their fill of shopping for the day. Laughing about how we looked in the ridiculous fur hats we’d tried on, we piled into the lounge between our suites to deposit our shopping bags. Abby was curled up on the couch and sat up wearily, asking us about our day. She looked a little better, and we gathered around, showing off what we’d bought. Cruz twirled for Abby in his new coat and she literally turned green before our eyes. She got up and raced back into her room.

  “It must be the fur.” Cruz said, feeling guilty about offending his vegan mother, “I didn’t realize how sensitive she was...”

  “Don’t worry sweetheart, I’ll go talk to her,” said Evie. We packed away our new clothes as she went over to Abby’s door and knocked softly.

  “Abby dear, it’s Evie. Can we talk?” The door opened and Evie slipped in. Cruz and I settled down on the couch and started going through some pictures on his camera.

  “How can I possibly go back to my normal life after all of this?” Cruz complained, gesturing with a dramatic sweep of his arm.

  “I’m freezing,” I said, “I can’t wait to get back to California!” I wrapped myself in a throw blanket from the couch.

  “I don’t mean the weather, silly,” Cruz looked at me mournfully from under his long bangs. “Spending time with Evie– I totally feel like a different person, like someone who gets taken seriously...”

  “I know what you mean,” I commiserated, “Going back to school’s going to be weird.”

  Cruz sighed, “I guess nothing lasts forever,” he said dolefully, “Except mermaids,” he added with a wicked smile. I cast a scathing look at him and got up.

  “What’s going on in there?” I rapped softly on Abby’s door and opened it a crack. I was surprised to see Evie sitting on the bed with her arm around Abby, who was wiping tears from her cheeks. Evie looked up at me.

  “Give us a few minutes honey. I’ll be right out.” I sat back down with Cruz, perplexed.

  “How’s mom?” Cruz asked.

  “I don’t know,” I said, “But I don’t think she’s upset about the coat.”

  Evie bustled out of the room, “She’ll be fine,” she announced, “She just needs a little rest before dinner. That gives us just enough time to visit the hotel spa for our treatments– they do a fabulous seaweed facial... and I hear the salt scrub pedicure is to die for!” She pulled us up by the arms, surprisingly strong for a woman of her age, “Let’s go you two! Time is flying!”

  Evie never met a spa treatment she didn’t like, and she’d made reservations for a variety of exotic ministrations. Cruz and I were overcome with the giggles, peeking out at each other from under cucumber slices, faces covered in green goo. We returned to the room a few hours later, scrubbed and buffed till our skin glowed. Abby was up and dressed for dinner, and she gave Cruz and me both a reassuring hug, telling us she was feeling much better.

  “I think the lack of sunlight is making me a little blue,” she smiled, with just a touch of stress around her sad blue eyes.

  It was our last night together with my father, who was itching to get back to work early the next morning. Everyone said their goodbyes at the restaurant; I followed him up to his room for a final talk before we parted ways again.

  “Next time I see you you’ll be seventeen,” he said, getting sentimental. My birthday was coming up in January, and dad wasn’t due back until August. “How about you fly out to meet me for a spring break vacation? We can celebrate your birthday then.”

  “That would be nice,” I was surprised, “I can come to Afghanistan?”

  “I was thinking about meeting you in Greece.”

  “Greece?” I asked, confused.

  “I’ve been thinking about how we talked about visiting the islands someday to see some ancient ruins. This could be our last chance before you start college. You can fly into Athens and I’ll meet up with you at the airport.”

  “OK... sounds like fun.”

  “I’ll plan it then. Have you decided on a car yet?” he asked with a smile.

  “I was thinking about something I can carry a surfboard in.”

  “Surfboard?” he exclaimed, looking surprised.

  I smiled, “Yeah, it turns out that I really do like swimming, and I’m learning how to surf. Ethan’s been teaching me.”

  “I don’t know if I like that idea,” he said with a frown.

  “Don’t worry,” I said soothingly, “he’s even more cautious than you are.”

  “Just be careful,” he said meaningfully. He handed me a bankcard, “For gas, and whatever you want. You can use it when you find yourself a car. I made Aunt Abby your legal guardian, so if you need anything signed...”

  “Thanks Dad, but I was thinking about getting a job or something.” I was tired of always being seen as a spoiled girl by everyone.

  “I want you to focus on your studies,” he said earnestly, pressing it into my palm, “I want to make things easier for you. They’ll be plenty of time for working after college. Besides, we’ll be back in the city soon, and you can get a summer job then. Didn’t you want to train to be a docent at the art museum?”

  I wasn’t sure how to break the news to him, but I tried, “Dad, I’ve been thinking about staying on in Aptos... and applying to the university in Santa Cruz.”

  He looked a little disappointed, and it made me uncomfortable.

  “I guess if it’s alright with Abby,” he said hesitantly, “We’ll think about it...”

  “OK,” I said, hugging him tightly as we parted again. I couldn’t help noticing how much easier it was letting him go. After everything I’d been through I no longer felt like a child, and I had gotten used to deciding for myself. I was also growing accustomed to keeping things to myself, and I wondered if that was such a good thing. In my case, it probably was.

  Our final day in Oslo dawned, cold and white. Evie wanted us all to go boutique hopping again but I begged off, wanting to pack my things and call Ethan. Abby wasn’t interested in doing anything, and Cruz just shook his head sadly at the two of us not wanting to shop. Evie gave Abby a warm hug, and we watched her and Cruz as they bustled out on their shopping adventure, leaving behind a trail of perfume and cologne in their wake.

  I gave Abby her scarf, and she seemed to cheer up a bit.

  “Thank you,” she said, looking at me fondly, “You’re so thoughtful, and after everything you’ve already done for us. I’m sorry I’m not better company.” Abby had repeatedly expressed her eternal gratitude for my role in rescuing Dutch; I was starting to get tired of her bringing it up.

  “Uhm, Aunt Abby,” I said gently, “I saw you crying yesterday. What’s wrong?” She met my eyes and I could see she was terribly upset about something. “What is it?” I asked her again, alarmed.

  She took a deep breath, “I suppose everyone will know soon enough,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. She covered her face with her hands.

  “Abby?”

  She looked up and met my eyes, “I’m pregnant,” she said, and burst into tears. Startled, I leaned over to give her a hug. She started crying even harder and I patted her back, not knowing what to do.

  “It’ll be okay,” I said, hoping it was true.

  “How could I be so stupid?” she wailed, “I can’t believe what an idiot I am.”

  “Oh Abby, don’t be so hard on yourself. What did Dutch say?”

  She sniffled, “He doesn’t know. We thought we were being careful. I found out after we got here– I mean I suspected, but I didn’t know for sure... I can’t... I just can’t tell him over the phone,” she started crying harder, “I– I need to see his face.”

  “Did you tell Evie?”

  “No, she guessed. That lady doesn’t miss a trick,” she hiccupped, “She was so nice... you’re very lucky to have her, and she’s so good to Cruz.”

  “I know.”

  “Marina, I’m sorry to lay all this on you.”

  “Abby, what are you going to do?”

  She looked at me, eyes full of anguish, “What if he leaves me?” she asked quietly, “I don’t think I could take it.”

  I hugged her again, “Everything will be alright... Dutch loves you.”

  “Can we not tell Cruz ’till after I talk to Dutch?” she asked.

  “Sure,” I said, “I’m good at keeping secrets.”

  And I was.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Secrets

  Our flight home went as well as could be expected. I reclined my seat to try and doze off but kept starting awake. Abby didn’t sleep at all– so fearful the past was going to repeat itself, she was literally making herself sick with anxiety. Every time I looked over at her it made my heart ache. It was morning when the plane touched down in San Francisco, and I opened my eyes to see Abby looking out the window, her pale face strained with anxiety.

  I patted her arm in a vain attempt to soothe her and she turned to smile tremulously at me. “Here we are,” she said remotely, her mind elsewhere.

  Abby went t
o pick up her car and returned to help load our luggage in the trunk. She moved quickly but robotically, her face blank, clearly in a hurry to get home. Evie climbed into Abby’s Volvo as regally as if it were a limousine and smiled kindly at her, patting her arm reassuringly. When we pulled into Evie’s garage entrance a huge bald headed man appeared instantaneously.

  Boris was the ever present guardian of our San Francisco high rise, a protective and constantly vigilant gatekeeper, perpetually on the lookout for unwelcome intruders.

  “Velcome back,” his deep voice boomed, opening the car door for Evie.

  Evie smiled affectionately at the giant Russian and turned to Abby, laying a gentle hand on her shoulder, “I’ll lend Cruz and Marina a car to take home so that you can be on your way.”

  “Thank you,” Abby said, her eyes intense.

  I hurried to greet Boris and help him pull a load of suitcases from the trunk, piling them by the elevator door. Cruz was so delighted at the prospect of taking out another one of Evie’s cars he failed to notice his mother’s agitated state.

  I leaned in the window to see Abby off, “It’ll be okay,” I whispered in her ear and kissed her cheek. Cruz and I hauled Evie’s many bags into the elevator.

  “Boris is preparing a car for you to take,” she announced, as I hauled the last of her suitcases into the foyer of her apartment. “Will you stay for tea? I’ve called ahead to have it ready.”

  Cruz looked over at me hopefully, “Can we… pretty please?”

  I grimaced, “Just for a little while, okay?”

  “Thank you! Thank you!” he smiled at me knowingly, “A couple more hours won’t kill you!”

  I sighed, “One hour– tops.”

  I followed behind Cruz and Evie as they chatted their way into her luxurious rooms. Tea was already prepared and waiting, and we sat down to an elaborate assortment of the best pastries to be found in all of San Francisco. I had to hand it to Evie, every little detail of her life was attended to with panache. I sipped my tea and listened to Cruz and Evie dish about the latest celebrity scandal, my mind on Ethan. When I finally couldn’t take any more I hustled Cruz to the door.

  “Evie, I love you, but I’m dying to get back to Aptos.”

  She smiled knowingly, “I don’t think it’s Aptos you’re so eager to see. When are you going to bring that boy up to meet me?”

  “Soon,” I said, hugging her goodbye.

  She just sighed, “Ah, young love... you be careful Marina.” I quickly embraced her and dragged a reluctant Cruz out.

  First I saw the blue truck, and when I pulled into our driveway he was waiting on the porch. I was smiling broadly as I put the car into park and jumped out to run over to Ethan. I threw myself onto him, reacquainting myself with how good it felt in to be in his arms.

  “Welcome home,” he said, laughing at my enthusiasm. Then he kissed me and I could swear the ground under my feet shifted. I staggered a little and he caught me, making me laugh with embarrassment at my clumsiness.

  He looked up, “Hey Cruz.”

  “Hey Ethan,” Cruz replied as he popped open the trunk.

  “Have you seen Abby?” I asked Ethan, worried, “She left the city before I did.”

  “She showed up at our place and told me you were taking another car back,” he looked over at the shiny black Mercedes convertible and shook his head with a smirk. I could tell he was thinking about how spoiled I was again.

  “Don’t even say it,” I shot him a warning glance. He just flashed a lopsided grin at me and went to go help Cruz with our bags. We brought everything inside, and Ethan waited for me on the couch while I tossed some things into my room.

  I hurried back down the hall and plunked down next to him, “How did Abby seem to you?” I asked casually, searching his face. She was such a wreck when she left the city I wasn’t sure she should even drive. I knew that she had probably already given Dutch the surprise of his life and I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on.

  “She was in a hurry,” he replied, “like me.” He pounced on me, knocking me back on the couch, making me giggle and then kissing me into seriousness.

  “Oh, puh-lease!” Cruz said as he walked past us into the kitchen, “Get a room!”

  “Good idea,” Ethan murmured in my ear as he nuzzled my neck. I protested weakly as we rolled on the couch, reveling in our closeness after so much time spent apart. I was floating away on a sweet cloud of love and romance, lost in the sensation of his lips and the look in his deep blue eyes.

  Then I remembered Abby’s predicament, and it was about the least romantic thing I could have thought of. I tensed up and Ethan sighed, sitting back up on the couch. He was never pushy about getting physical, but I knew he was insecure sometimes, and I didn’t want him to feel rejected. I wondered if I should tell him about Abby. Things seemed to be getting even more complicated.

  A knock on the door drew Cruz from the kitchen to answer it. It was Megan, and I jumped up to greet her, happy to see her and relieved for the distraction.

  The sardonic and always candid voice of reason in our little group of friends, Megan had seen me through some of my worst times. In many ways, I trusted her advice above all others. She didn’t let sentimentality cloud her judgment, and she was a keen observer of human nature.

  “How was Oslo in December?” she asked with a sly smile.

  “Guess,” said Cruz with a roll of his warm brown eyes, “We didn’t spend much time outdoors.”

  Megan sat down with us and we all listened as Cruz told colorful tales of what the past week had been like. Megan laughed at Cruz’s wide eyed descriptions of the hotel and the ceremony. I was starting to realize that I’d become jaded, accustomed to being around Evie, used to the exclusive places she frequented. Seeing everything fresh through Cruz’s eyes was oddly touching.

  Cruz told Megan about shopping and I remembered the hat I’d gotten her. I went to my room to retrieve the shopping bag and returned to put Megan’s beret on her with a smile.

  “Thanks Marina,” she said, reaching up to feel it.

  “Looks good on you,” I said, tilting it at an angle and fluffing up the bright red curls poking out the bottom.

  “It really does,” said Cruz, with a twist of his head. “Marina, I think you’re a natural born stylist.”

  I nodded with mock seriousness, “Be sure to book me for your first show.” I sat back down.

  “You’ll be wanting her for your makeup artist too,” said Megan, remembering how she looked when I did her makeup.

  “You’re not gonna believe who we met!” Cruz told Megan excitedly. He started ticking off the names of the foreign leaders, celebrities and dignitaries he recognized.

  “Impressive,” said Megan, nodding.

  “And a king and queen!” he added breathlessly.

  She turned to me, “Meet any Norwegian mermaids?” she asked.

  I knew she was joking but I felt Ethan shift uncomfortably beside me. Megan was alone in not buying my story of the night I spent with the mermaids. She was the one who had guessed correctly about their telepathic powers, and I knew that she suspected my dealings with them weren’t entirely over and done.

  “Very funny,” I said dryly, “It’s probably much too cold for them with all the icebergs.”

  “The water here is cold,” she said, “and you never did explain how you survived a whole night in it.”

  She was right to wonder about that, for cold that would kill a human was nothing to a mermaid. I had survived by becoming one of them, and only Ethan knew that I had the ability to transform. I glanced over to Ethan to see his face tighten, unhappy about the line of questioning. He didn’t like talking about them, and I figured he really didn’t like being reminded about the fact that I could change into one.

  “I had a wetsuit,” I said defensively.

  “Not when you got home,” Cruz added, puzzled.

  I scooted closer to Ethan, “I really don’t want to talk about it.”

  Cruz and Megan exchanged a look as Ethan put a protective arm around me.

  Shrugging it off, Cruz took Megan by the arm, “Come check out what Evelyn Pond bought for me… overseas!” Cruz still couldn’t get over Evie’s fame, and as they made their way down the hall I could hear him telling Megan about how many people in Oslo recognized her.