“Oh?” Her voice is soft, curious but not pushing.
“Yeah, I was always kind of the odd one out.” The words come easier than I expect. “Never quite fit the mold of what they expected.” I let out a laugh that sounds hollow even to my own ears. “I never knew my father. And my mother… she passed away almost a decade ago. After my mom passed, that was pretty much it. She was the glue holding everything together, I guess.Without her…” I trail off, shrugging instead of finishing the thought.
Her face falls, sympathy clear in her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Levi.”
I nod, accepting her condolences. I’m surprised to realize I don’t mind discussing this part of my past – not with her. Something about Rose makes it easy to pull back a few layers, even on subjects I usually keep buried. “She was… fiercely independent,” I say after a moment. “Strong, stubborn, didn’t care what anyone thought. She taught me a lot about resilience.”
“You must miss her,” Rose says gently.
“I do,” I admit, my voice softer. “Very much.”
She briefly places a hand on mine, grounding me, and a warmth for Rose blooms in my chest. As much as I long to share even more of myself with Rose, to let her in further, I know I can’t. The secrets I carry are too heavy, too dangerous. So, I content myself with learning about her, storing away each detail like a precious treasure, grateful for this rare sliver of connection she’s giving me.
“I’m so sorry,” Rose says, and there’s something in her voice that makes me look over at her. “I know how that feels, actually. I lost my mom when I was in college, just a few years ago.”
Something shifts in my chest – a recognition, maybe. I find myself really looking at her, seeing past the surface for the first time.
“Dad took it pretty hard,” she continues, wrapping her arms around her knees. “Ended up moving to California afterward. Got remarried last year, actually.” She tries to smile, but I can see the weight behind it. “Nice lady. They seem happy. It’s just… different now, you know?”
“Yeah,” I say quietly, understanding exactly what she means. “Everything’s different after.”
I watch her stare out at the water, and for a moment, I feel less alone than I have in years.
“Tell me more about your art. What inspires you?” I ask, changing the subject.
Rose’s eyes light up as she talks about her paintings, travels, favorite books, and movies. I listen intently, drawn in by her genuine passion and colorful anecdotes. It’s easier and safer this way. I can appreciate her openness while maintaining the invisible wall I need to keep between us.
As the sun climbs higher in the sky, we take a break from fishing to enjoy the lunch I’ve packed. Sitting across from Rose, sharing sandwiches and fruit as the boat gently rocks beneath us, I’m struck by how comfortable this feels. It’s as if we’ve known each other for years, not just a few days.
After lunch, I suggest that we do a bit of sightseeing. I guide the boat along the coastline, pointing out interesting rock formations and hidden coves. Rose alternates between her sketchbook and camera, capturing the scenery. Through her eyes, I discover new beauty in familiar places – details I’ve somehow missed in all my years here.
We find a secluded spot to drop anchor as the afternoon wears on. Rose asks me if swimming here is safe, and I confirm it is.
“Yes!” Rose cheers. “The water looks so refreshing.”
I barely have time to process the words before she shrugs off her outer clothes to reveal a navy-blue swimsuit underneath. She dives off the back of the boat with a joyful whoop, leaving me dry-mouthed and frozen at the helm.
“Come on in, Levi!” Rose calls out, breaking my trance. “The water’s perfect!”
I shake myself and dive in, grateful that the bracing cold helps clear my head. I surface a few yards away from Rose, who is laughing and radiant. I find myself mesmerized all overagain. Water streams down her shoulders, catching sunlight like scattered diamonds. Her dark hair is slicked back, emphasizing the elegant line of her neck. She looks like a mythical creature – a siren emerging from the deep – and I force myself to look away.
The irony isn’t lost on me. Here I am, an actual sea creature, entirely undone by a human woman swimming in my domain. The thought would be funny if it didn’t make my chest ache with everything I can never tell her.
My secrets feel like stones in my stomach. I want to tell Rose everything – who I really am, that I’m not human. But she’s just passing through, a tourist who’ll return to her real life far from Lublin Harbor. And even if she stayed, how could I ever explain that I am a monster? A kraken shifter from the deepest depths of the ocean?
As the sun begins its descent toward the horizon, painting the sky in golden pink and red hues, I reluctantly steer the boat back toward the harbor. Rose sits beside me, her hair tousled by the sea breeze, and smiles contentedly.
“This has been an amazing day,” she says softly. “Thank you, Levi.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” I reply, wishing I could find the words to express how much this day has meant to me.
As we approach the harbor, we can see bonfires being set up on the beach – the same beach I washed ashore on a few years ago. The faint rhythm of music drifts across the water, mingling with distant laughter and the smell of wood smoke.
“Oh, that looks like fun!” Rose coos, leaning forward on the bow rail. Her eyes sparkle with happiness, and her smile is contagious. “I can already smell something delicious cooking.”
Once I finish tying up the boat, I help Rose off and then grab our catch, which is securely stowed in a cooler. As we walk towards the beach, our hands accidentally brush. I feel a jolt ofelectricity at the contact, and for a moment, I’m tempted to take her hand in mine. But I resist, reminding myself I am only her tour guide, not her date.
The crowd beckons from the beach, their laughter carrying across the sand as the bonfires flicker to life. Just a few more hours of pretending I’m nothing more than a simple fishing guide, watching Rose shine in the firelight. A few more hours of wishing I could be the man she thinks I am.
