Tripping the Scales

~ Chapter One ~

Mother! gasped Marina. "You should not have done that!"

Before Coral could respond, Hailey squealed from a few benches over. They were on the top deck of the ferry. Marina had asked Jeff to give her some time with her mother, and after kissing her forehead, he went to the snack bar one deck below. Meredith and Jill had tried to convince Hailey to join them with Jeff, but Hailey insisted she stay with the mers in case they needed her.

Waving at Hailey, Marina said, I am sure she would like to hear why you chose to sit out on those rocks. She can be trusted.

As you trusted her with your tail? asked Coral, one of her thin eyebrows slightly raised. Should you have done that?

I would not have found you without trusting Hailey.

I know that, my darling sea star. Coral smirked while she stroked her daughter’s long blonde hair.

Wistfully staring toward the ocean, Lorelei said, You should have seen Hailey in the water. If I had not first met her with legs, I would have believed her to be mer.

Mer or human does not matter, said Marina. Hailey is one of my dearest friends.

Coral said, I have lived among the humans long enough to learn that a majority of them are trustworthy. It seems like you have found several in so short a time, including a special young man.

Marina could almost feel her cheeks flushing from embarrassment, and she stammered a defense of her relationship with Jeff, but Lorelei interrupted by asking, Could you continue with your story?

Yes, tell us more, please. Marina let out a deep breath, relieved that Lorelei’s well-timed question had rescued her.

Gathering her windblown hair, Coral scanned the deck of the ferry. Other than Hailey bouncing anxiously in her seat and peering over at them, there were only a few scattered people. It was late afternoon on a weekday. According to Hailey and the others, it wasn’t a popular time for people to head to the island. For the same reason, there was plenty of space down below for Jill’s minivan. Marina and Lorelei were amazed by the concept of transporting cars over the water, and they had whispered to each other about humans thinking of so many different ways to get around.

Please do not be secretive, said Marina. I have finally found you, and I want to learn all I can about you. Why would you have done something like that?

Because when I was your age, it was something adventurous. Coral snickered. That is what happens when your closest friend is a scout.

You mean Pearl? Marina grasped Lorelei’s hand and turned to face her friend, who leaned forward, equally eager to hear about a mother she never knew.

Every new experience flowed to her, and I followed along. Holding back tears, Coral sighed. How odd it sounds to say that I merely wanted to follow. Perhaps I was not yet ready for anything more.

Like mother-maid, like daughter-maid, thought Marina, fondly recalling all the times she had followed Pearl’s green-tailed daughter. Without Lorelei’s persistence, Marina would have never taken her first steps on land.

It wasn’t until the previous moon cycle began when Marina had finally taken the lead and decided to search for her mother. And she had found Coral, who welcomed her after so many moon cycles with open arms. Never had Marina instantly felt so much love and warmth but also confusion and fear about her place in the school. It may have been her birthright, assigned to her by the unique color of her tail, but she wasn’t ready for it.

And she wasn’t sure if she wanted it.

I would have followed Pearl anywhere. It was Shelly who always complained to my parents and brother—your uncle Ray—about the deep water we often found ourselves in.

Upon hearing the name of the school’s leader, shivers coursed down Marina’s spine and all the way to her toes. If Ray was her mother’s brother, then it meant that she and Calliope—who had teased, taunted, and tormented her—were cousins. Marina shuddered at the thought. All her life, she had believed she was an orphan, but the mers she never knew were her relatives had refused to acknowledge her existence.

I have many questions, mother.

I will answer what I can. Coral looked to the sun in the western sky, well past its highest point but far from the horizon. "There is still time before you must put your tail back on. And you must put on your tail and return to the school. Because your friend over there was caught, and now the human scientists know of our existence, you need to make Ray understand the danger the school may be in."

Why would he listen to me? Marina’s list of questions was long, and she wasn’t sure where to start. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath before continuing, Why did Ray and Shelly never tell me I was their niece? Why did no one in the school tell me? Why—?

You deserve a better mother than I. Coral took Marina’s hand and squeezed it tightly but gently. I am ashamed I cannot answer those questions. I had already left the school by then. She hung her head.

Then why did you leave? And where is my father?

I do not know where he is, but I can tell why he—and then later I—no longer have our tails. Sadly, there is far too much in my past that I should not have done.

~ ~ ~

"Coral, Pearl, you should not be doing that!" Shelly’s head bobbed with the waves, and she kept her purple tail submerged, unlike the two mers openly displaying themselves while sitting on adjacent rocks.

Will you let it float? Coral smacked her fluke on the water’s surface. Stop living your life inside a clam shell.

Pearl elbowed Coral in the side and said, I came out of my oyster shell long ago!

Coral and Pearl laughed and flicked their tails to splash Shelly in the face.

That is not funny, said Shelly, flipping her tail to back herself away from the spray of water. What if the two of you are seen?

Pearl said, I have already scouted these waters. There are no boats near us.

Boats are fast. One could appear without us realizing it.

Coral extended her arms. Look around you, Shelly. The nearest land is far behind us, and there is nothing but clear water in every direction. This is the perfect place to get away and relax. She leaned back on the smooth rock and swung her tail back and forth.

Get away? Does your family know you feel that way?

No, they do not. Pearl slid off her rock into the water and then drifted toward Shelly. "And you are not going to blubber to Ray about this."

Shelly avoided Pearl’s intense glare and swam around the rock until she was closer to Coral’s head. We are no longer little maids. It is time for us to grow up and accept our destinies.

Stretching her arms behind her, Coral groaned. That is easy for you to say. Yours is easier to accept. Do you understand the pressure that comes with mine?

"Do you understand? Ray seems to think you do not."

Shelly was suddenly dragged under the water. She struggled to escape until she realized Pearl’s hands were clamping her at the waist. Pearl released Shelly to turn her around, and Shelly seized the opportunity to swim upward. Before Shelly could surface, Pearl yanked her fluke back down.

Sinking to Pearl’s depth, Shelly asked, Why are you behaving like a shark?

Do you understand that you need to let it float? Pearl flicked her tail and rose enough that they were no longer looking eye to eye. Just because you and Coral’s brother have chosen each other, it is not your place to advise her.

She should have a purple-tail advising her. Shelly curled her tail behind her and flapped it sideways. One who would have prevented her from lounging on a rock.

Are you jealous?

I am one of her closest friends, and Ray is her brother. We should be the ones to advise her, but she spends so much time with Zale. What could a blue-tail possibly offer her?

Protection. By virtue of his tail color, he will keep the school safe. Pearl grinned. And because he and Coral love each other, he will protect her to the ends of the ocean.

But she will need to place the school above her own needs. Ray says—

Are all your thoughts dictated by Ray? Pearl folded her arms across her shell-top. I trust that when the time comes, Coral will rise to the challenge.

There was a splash at the surface, and then a faint shadow passed over them.

You do realize that I could hear you, said Coral, hovering above them. My tail was touching the water, so I heard everything.

Shelly dropped her arms against her side and approached Coral. I am sorry for not saying these things directly to you, but I am not sorry for saying them.

Shooting forward, Pearl said, Is your head in a whirlpool, Shelly? That is no apology.

Coral groaned until she had caught their attention. All I wanted today was to spend time with my friends and do something we have never done. Can you please give me that?

Pearl and Shelly fell silent, floating in place while Coral returned to the surface. Once there, she grabbed hold of the rock and with a forceful kick of her tail, she jumped out of the water and spun herself around, ultimately landing in a seated position. Then she heaved herself backward and reclined, keeping the tips of her fluke underneath the soothing ripples of the waves.

The sun shined high in the sky, and the golden light reflected off Coral’s tail and made it sparkle. She could feel droplets of water from underneath her scales evaporating into the moist air. Sighing, she imagined her tail dissolving and leaving her with a pair of humanlike legs. If only I could…

Her voice trailed off with the realization that she would never have that experience. While Pearl had occasionally ventured onto land at the full moon, Coral knew it was forbidden. She could recite the rule from memory. An orange-tail should not drift too far from her school and must never walk on land.

No longer dazed, Pearl and Shelly poked their heads through the surface. We are sorry, said Pearl.

Shelly added, There are still several cycles until you—

Not thinking about it. Coral swayed her wading fluke back and forth.

Pearl sprang up to her waist and bobbed with the larger incoming waves. She jerked her head to one side, then another. We are not safe here.

As Coral sat up and looked around, Shelly vanished into the ocean.

With one abrupt quarter turn, Pearl looked toward the same direction Coral was facing and saw a sailboat. Coral, we must go! she said, reaching for Coral’s hand before ducking her head below the bubbling sea foam.

Coral remained transfixed on the passing boat. Humans weren’t supposed to see her, but she had never seen one of them. Her eyesight was exceptional in the water, but not above it, so she squinted, trying to catch a glimpse of someone. Anyone. Anything to show her there was more than her impending role in the school.

Pearl flung some water up at Coral. The sudden splash knocked Coral out of her daydream, and she dove into the water. Grabbing Coral’s hand, Pearl kicked vigorously and steered them deeper and deeper until the water was a dark blue.

Maybe Shelly is right, said Pearl. "We should not have sat on the rocks. You might have been seen."

I do not think I was, said Coral.

Meanwhile, a young man standing on the sailboat lowered a pair of binoculars from his eyes. Speechless, he continued staring at the distant spot where he saw what he thought he saw.

One of his friends on the boat patted him on the back and asked, See anything yet?

I thought I saw a… The man with binoculars couldn’t bring himself to admit it out loud. His friend wouldn’t believe him. There were many plausible explanations why he thought he saw a mermaid—a beached manatee, a trick of the light, an overactive imagination, the beverage in the red plastic cup his friend handed him.

A whale watch was a great idea to celebrate your Ph.D., said another friend, raising his own cup to make a toast. Congrats again, Hatch.

~ Chapter Two ~

The ferry’s engines rumbled as it approached the dock, and Meredith cautiously made her way over to the bench where Coral, Marina, and Lorelei were sitting. She slightly bowed her head at Coral as a sign of respect and to get her attention before saying, I’m not exactly sure how to address you. I’m not quite sure if mers have family names, so would you be Mrs.—

You may call me Coral, she said in a melodic voice.

Taking a deep breath, Meredith sat on the bench beside Coral. Everything happened so fast today, and I don’t mean to spoil the good news about you two finding each other, but I fear the school is in danger.

Coral tightened her gaze on Meredith before taking her daughter’s hand. Whatever you tell us, we will get a message to the school.

My mentor at the aquarium studied Hailey for about a week. Even though we think that we fooled most of the people there with her costume tail, he didn’t seem too convinced. Meredith swallowed a lump in her throat. He’s going to start looking for mers where Hailey was caught.

I see, said Coral with a disconcerted sigh before closing her eyes.

Seagulls squawked as they flew overhead, startling Meredith and Marina, but Coral didn’t flinch. Her shoulders rose and fell as she deliberately inhaled the salty air. I cannot sense the location of the school from this high above the surf, Coral finally said. But if they remain where they usually camp for the northern season, then they should not be found.

Ray had wanted an emergency relocation once he heard Hailey had been caught, said Lorelei. I told his daughter Calliope to plead with him to keep the school in place until either Marina or I returned.

I’m sorry that this happened, but I felt you needed to know, said Meredith, trying to take a step back, but Coral took her hand.

Thank you, said Coral, looking up into Meredith’s brown eyes. You are a considerate maid, and a true friend—a protector—of all merkind.

How can we warn the school? asked Marina, her voice wavering. Lorelei has lost her tail, and I do not want to leave now that I have found you, Mother.

Hailey said Barney came ashore, said Meredith. Couldn’t he tell them?

Lorelei sighed. I do not think Barney alone will be able to persuade Ray to remain. And I doubt Hailey’s mother will allow her to return.

There is only one option. Coral got up from her seated position and knelt before her daughter, clasping Marina’s hands in her own. Marina, you have to be the mer to do this.

Marina shuddered and shook her head. But I…I do not think that—

The ferry’s horn blared, catching everyone’s attention. In the momentary distraction, Marina ran toward the back of the boat. Coral took a step after her, but Lorelei held out her palm to calm the others and assure them she’d go after Marina herself.

Marina slumped at the back railing and looked down at the water. Two white-capped waves spread out in the ferry’s wake below them. Even with the light breeze blowing through her hair, so high up from the water, Marina could feel its immense pressure.

Sensing Lorelei was approaching, she asked, What if I cannot do it?

Brushing some locks of red hair that had blown across her face, Lorelei said, I trust that you are ready to rise to this new challenge.

The school will not listen to me. When have I ever spoken up to another mer? I have spent my whole life as an outsider, and Ray—my uncle— her voice trailed off with a shudder. He will not allow me to suddenly—

Lorelei put a hand on Marina’s shoulder blade and sensed her racing heartbeat. "I would have believed that when you first stepped on land a year ago. But you chose to return here to find your mother, despite my concerns. Other mers in the school would have also protested, but you were leading with your heart. You can do that underwater now."

What if I am not good at it? asked Marina, abruptly turning toward her friend.

But what if you are?

They stood there, eyes locked on each other, until the horn startled them once again. Just as unexpectedly, Marina felt a pair of strong arms wrap themselves around her waist.

We’re about to dock, whispered Jeff into her right ear, and then he gently kissed her temple.

Marina smiled, but she was grateful that he couldn’t see her face because with that bittersweet smile came a few tears. If what her mother said was true—that orange-tails shouldn’t drift too far from the school and never walk on land—then she wasn’t sure when, or if, she’d ever see Jeff again. The previous summer, they had only spent a couple of days together, but since he picked her up out of Jill’s swimming pool while she wore Hailey’s costume tail, they had seen each other almost every day since.

And they had gotten to know each other better. And kissed a lot more. And talked about spending more time together. They never spoke about Marina’s true heritage or what kind of future they could conceivably have together because Marina knew that there weren’t any plans for her and Jeff. She had a destiny to fulfill, one that her mother was unable to.

You seem distant, Jeff gently turned Marina to face him.

She couldn’t tell him, so she looked down at her feet in the pair of flip-flops she’d worn out all summer—feet that, after sunset, she’d probably never see again.

Something’s going on that you’re not telling me. Is everything okay? he asked, placing a hand under her chin.

Marina recognized the gesture. He was going to slowly, gently—amazingly—tilt her head up so he could look at her before kissing her. Then he’d see her tears flowing more consistently. After that, he would persist, trying to find out what was bothering her. Can we not talk about it right now? she sobbed.

There was only one way to prevent him from seeing her cry, the only way to guarantee his eyes were closed, or at least unfocused on hers, and that he wouldn’t pry any further. A way to calm her nerves and to remind herself of what she was giving up. So she stood on her toes and kissed him first.

As deeply as the ocean.

Hey lovebirds, called Jill, her voice getting louder. Closer. Boat’s about to dock. It’s time to go down below to the car.

Hailey pushed Jill aside and said, No, no, no! Marina’s gonna ride with me in Mom’s car. She grabbed Marina’s hand and skipped away. Jeff can come too, I guess. Oh, and Marina’s Mom. And Lore, too.

Jill rolled her eyes and pushed open the doorway to the downward stairs. Come on, Merri. My cousin wants to surround herself with the fishies.

Following, Meredith closed the door before speaking. What’s bothering you now?

But Jill was already at the bottom of the stairway, pushing through the door to the vehicle bay. A whiff of car exhaust wafted up the stairs into Meredith’s nose, and she coughed.

When the ferry docked, Hailey waved at her mother waiting for her. She wove her way through the other passengers and ran down the gangway. Reaching her mother, she jumped into Susan’s arms, almost knocking her over.

I missed you so much! Hailey squeezed her mother so tightly she couldn’t reply, not that she had the opportunity between Hailey’s words. I had such an amazing time! It was awesome, and then it was scary, and O-M-G, I probably shouldn’t tell you that because all you’ll do is freak out and get mad at me, but it was one of the most incredible things that ever happened to me, and I wish I could do it again and again and again…

Her mother wheezed and said, Hailey, I—

Hailey released her mother and yanked her toward the others, who had finally made it off the boat. You remember Marina, right?

How could I forget? Susan gave Marina a sideways glance. She’s the one you all pretended was someone else

Yeah, Mom, drop that. This is Marina’s mom. Hailey positioned her mother in front of Coral. The tall blonde former mermaid tried to say something, but Hailey kept talking. We found her. Well, not really. She kinda found me, after the fishermen caught me. I probably shouldn’t be telling you that because you’re only gonna worry about it. But that’s why Marina needed me to watch her— Before she said tail, Hailey looked around to make sure no one was listening. Jeff was holding Marina’s hand, and since he didn’t know the truth about mermaids, Hailey couldn’t risk exposing anyone. "—her you-know-what—so she could find her mom. Which she did!"

Coral bowed her head politely. Thank you for caring for my daughter last summer.

You’re welcome, said Susan before turning to Hailey and cocking an eyebrow. I didn’t plan to entertain a full house this evening. It’s already been a crazy day with that naked boy showing up at the back door at the crack of dawn.

T-M-I, Mom! squealed Hailey as she hopped up and down. No one has to come into the house. We can all hang out back till sunset. Jill can take everyone back here afterward.

Scanning the small group of people that had assembled around her, Susan said, I see Jeff, but where’s Jillybean?

Getting her car. Hailey let out an exasperated groan. We gotta get goin’ now, Mom. Marina has to get back—I mean she has to…well, we gotta go.

Hailey started stomping toward the small parking lot until she saw the convertible. Jeff gave his aunt a quick hug while Coral, Marina, and Lorelei each politely thanked Susan for her hospitality.

As each of them passed, Susan counted heads. Wait a second, Hailey! she called. This is one too many people. I can only fit myself and four others in the car.

Someone will have to ride with Jill and Meredith. Hailey turned to the others and scanned them, her fingers pointing at them as she muttered to herself, Marina’s gotta come, and I can’t leave her mom here. She noticed that Jeff and Marina were holding hands. "I guess Jeff probably wants to stay with Marina, but he can go with