1
“Aremermaidsreal?”Arthur’svoice cuts through the chatter, amplified by the speakers mounted in every corner of the restaurant, each word rippling like a wave through the air. The question hangs, quieting the room and daring diners to believe in the impossible.
I run my hands over my blue-and-green-swirled silicone tail, ensuring the fit is snug before sinking into the water. With a deep breath, I dive under, the water muffling what Arthur says next. “We searched all the oceans, and you’re in luck! We managed to find a mermaid right here in Los Angeles, and after negotiating payment…in sand dollars, of course…” He pauses for the audience’s laughter.
I use the extra seconds to sneak a breath from my oxygen mask hanging discreetly by some fake seaweed.
The rescue diver, hiding in the corner where the audience can’t see him, gives me a thumbs up to show everything is safe and ready for the performance. I nod my thanks as Arthur wraps up his big speech. “She’sagreed to show you some of hermermazingskills right here at The Pearl Kingdom! Without further ado…here’s Mermaid Veronica!”
As Arthur’s voice fades, the deep crimson curtains around the water tank part, and the warm light chases away the darkness. I inhale one last deep breath, push my oxygen mask into the seaweed, and swim toward the center of the glass.
My usual routine is swimming from one side to the other before mixing in some spins and twirls. People stop eating to watch me whirl and wave.
Children of all ages rush to press their cute faces against the glass. I smile and blow them bubble kisses and form hearts with my hands. They giggle and point at me like I’m something exotic they found in a zoo.
A man stands up from his table and takes a photo using the flash. For a moment, I’m dazed but shake it off. Blinking away the red spots. Security darts toward the man and asks him to turn off the flash. I nod my thanks and continue the show.
The cheers and applause never fail to lift my spirits. As the curtain closes, I glide to the surface, breaking through with a deep, refreshing inhale. Hauling myself onto the platform, I settle in, my tail shimmering in front of me.
Arthur walks up the stairs and steps onto the platform to join me. He cracks the knuckles in his massive hands and swipes at his nose. “You ready to meet those grubby little kids?” he asks with a smirk.
“Isn’t one of those monsters yours?” I mock, craning my neck to look up at him. His dark beard is growing back in, giving his jaw a sharper edge. His arms are toned and scarred from his days in the armed forces.
His dimples deepen as his smirk turns into a cheesy grin. Arthur raises a shoulder and drops it. “What’s a man to do?”
I laugh, rolling my eyes. Arthur gently lifts me, placing his left hand behind my tail, which is actually behind my knees, and his right hand on my back. I wrap my arm around his shoulders to keep myself balanced. “You’re my favorite mer-handler, you know that?”
His hazel eyes cut me a look. “I’m the only one you got.”
I pucker my lips in an exaggerated pout and toss an overly dramatic air kiss at him. “Just makes you even more special.”
He playfully smacks my scale-covered thigh. “Yeah, yeah.”
“Do you ever want to get out of here?” The question slips through my lips as I trace the tip of the eagle wing tattoo on his neck with my finger. It’s a bit faded from age, but it still stands out against his tanned skin. His reply is a confused glance like I lost my mind, so I add, “You know. Start a new life. Do something different.”
He swallows, and his Adam’s apple bobs. His hold on my legs stiffens. “I like it here. It’s peaceful, and I always feel better when my life runs like clockwork. Plus, my wife and daughter are from here.” As soon as he says that, we turn the corner, and ten children scream in unison, killing the conversation.
I wrinkle my nose and flick my fin. Arthur chuckles, the sound reverberating through me before he sets me down on the white inflatable seashell set up for photos. I wave to my young audience, flashing them a bright smile.
As the kids crowd around, Arthur’s sharper edges melt away. He laughs, but it’s deeper and more soulful. On the outside, Arthur might look like an intimidating bouncer, but on the inside, he’s a sweet guy who loves his family.
“Hello, everyone! I’m so happy you could come over to my shell and talk. Say hello to my friend, Arthur.” I motion to him.
The kids all say hi except his daughter, who stands and proudly boasts, “That’s my daddy!”
He bites back a laugh and steps away. I pat my lap, encouraging the children to come closer. They ooh and ahh over my tail, touching my scales and giggling. I run my fingers through my dirty blonde curls and speak in my sweetest voice. “What are your names? I’m Mermaid Veronica.”
My best friend, Alice, walks into the backroom while I’m wiggling my hips out of my silicone tail. She bites her tongue, but the corners of her mouth curl upward in a smirk.
“If you’re just going to laugh, you can leave,” I say, tugging harder on my tail. It’s always easier to slide into than to get out of. The material clings to my legs like a second skin.
Alice wipes her hands on the bar rag she’s holding and tosses it onto the bench beside me. “What happened to that bubbly mermaid attitude?” She leans against the wall as her cocky grin grows. “How will you make a career of being a professional mermaid when you can’t escape your own scales?” Humor dances in her blue eyes as she tries and fails to suppress her laughter.
“How about I bitch slap you with my tail?” I joke, flopping my fins on the concrete floor. “But I need you to step closer so I can reach you.”
Alice ignores me and grabs the bottom of my fin, giving it a good yank. After a few tries, it finally releases me. I stand, pulling up my blue leggings that slipped down my hips a little during the struggle. “Freedom at last.”My fingers massage the tight muscles in my legs to stop the tingling. Swimming in a mermaid tail might look easy and fun, but it’s a hell of a workout on your body.
“And just an FYI. I have a business plan in motion. After I get my professional pictures taken in a few weeks, I’ll be applying to cruise lines and landing more gigs. Once I have a company sponsor to back me with some money, my options are as deep as the ocean.”
