Between Land and Sea (10 page)

Chapter 18

Barbara was grateful for the steady flow of clients because it left her no time to worry about the book or deal with Lois. She realized it wouldn’t be long before she said goodbye to this short chapter in her human life. Even though it was turning out to be far more than merely a pleasant interlude, she was ready to move up in the world.

At four-thirty, Barbara was the first one out the door. She heard Lois exclaim, “Someone’s in a hurry today.”

Barbara grinned happily as she walked briskly toward the apartment. She liked the feel of snow on her face and realized that she was actually enjoying the winter season in the northern hemisphere. The warm waters of the Mediterranean kingdom were slowly becoming a distant memory.

Barbara reached the apartment in record time. She hurried upstairs and made a beeline for the tablet. She pressed the green light and was greeted by a smiling Lisa738.

“Hello, Barbara. You look beautiful today. You have lovely color and your eyes are shining. Do you have any good news to share with me?” The Numbers mermaid had a hopeful look on her face.

Barbara hadn’t planned on sharing her news with Lisa738, but she would have to come up with some explanation regarding the flight to Chicago. “I have an opportunity to travel for my job. They’re sending me to Chicago.”

“Are you flying?” Lisa738 asked.

“Yes, it’s my first time and I’m afraid. When I heard the news, my heart started pounding and I felt sick to my stomach.”

“That’s normal for all mermaids. We are daughters of the seas. While we can adapt to land, we have problems when flying in the air. It’s too much of a departure from the warm depths of our kingdom.” She spoke briskly, “You will need to apply a desensitization button. One will appear beneath the screen in a few seconds. Be very careful with this button. After you apply it, lie down and rest for at least one hour. Do not eat or drink anything until the hour has passed.”

“It’s that powerful?” Barbara asked.

“Yes, it will convert all your fearful, negative thoughts into positive ones. While it will address your fear of flying, it will also deal with any other phobias you may have. It is equivalent to two full years of therapy.”

“That button would be a gold mine here on earth.”

Lisa738 gasped. “Humans must never have access to our technology. They would not be able to handle it.”

“I think you underestimate the human race,” Barbara said. “There are many strong, intelligent people here on land who would not abuse the power of the tablet.” Barbara thought of Graham, Janice, Hannah, and all the other people in her circle. She also considered her clients who were experiencing job loss, addictions, and other issues. The tablet could erase so many of the world’s problems. And it would lift many unfortunate people out of their depressions.

Lisa738 shook her head. “Humans would abuse the power of the tablet. A few unscrupulous individuals would steal the tablet and use up all its powers. It would become ineffective in less than a week.”

“I didn’t realize that the tablet’s power is limited. Is that why I have it for only a year?”

“Yes, it would not last much longer than that. Though, in your case, you might get two years out of it. You don’t ask for much.”

Barbara wondered how much the other mermaids had asked for in the past. She must ask Gillian about her tablet experience. She looked down and applied the shiny button that appeared. This time, the feeling was more intense and the room appeared to sway before her. She grabbed the edge of the nearby night table. Thankfully, she was already in the bedroom and would not have to walk too far.

“Go directly to bed, Barbara.” Lisa738’s voice sounded far away as Barbara made her way into bed, fully clothed.

Barbara woke up with a start. She panicked momentarily as she looked about the darkened room. She glanced at the alarm clock and registered the time as eighteen past seven. Slowly, bits and pieces of the earlier conversation with Lisa738 came back. She decided to test the power of the button. She closed her eyes and visualized herself flying to Chicago. She relaxed as she imagined the large, puffy clouds that would surround the plane. No nausea. No heart palpitations. The button had worked its magic.

Her stomach growled and Barbara realized she had eaten very little all day. While her breakfast had been substantial, she had eaten only half of her tuna salad at lunch. Not wanting to linger too long in the kitchen, she decided on a turkey sandwich with a few raw vegetables and an apple.

She logged onto her laptop and went on the Expedia website. After examining the different flight possibilities, she selected an Air Canada flight leaving Toronto at seven-twenty on Friday evening and returning at four-thirty on Tuesday afternoon. Although Janice had offered her three days off, she decided to take only Monday and Tuesday.

Afterward, she quickly dialed Gillian’s number. The low, breathless voice answered after one ring. “Hello, there. I was just about to call you. You must be ecstatic!”

“Yes, I’m so happy. I can hardly wait for the weekend.” She added shyly, “I just booked my flight.”

“You don’t waste any time, do you?” Her voice became softer. “How do you feel about flying?”

“I got the desensitization button from Lisa738.”

“Good! Now give me the details. When are you coming in?”

Barbara shared all the flight and terminal information with Gillian.

“I can pick you up Friday evening and drop you off at O’Hare on Tuesday,” Gillian said. “Stewart called me this morning with your itinerary for the weekend. It sounds like you’ll be busy with him on Sunday and Monday. I’ll make plans for Friday night and all day Saturday. Let’s leave Tuesday for now. I have a sneaking suspicion that Stewart may take up that day as well.”

Barbara’s head was whirling. It sounded like her days would be packed with meetings and other adventures. But she would deal with it. This was the beginning of a new chapter in her human life, and she was determined to make the most of the opportunity.

“Barbara, are you there?”

“I’m sorry, Gillian. I’m still trying to process all of this. I can’t believe it’s happening so quickly.”

“Believe it. You’ve got a winner in that book of yours,” Gillian said, “I hope you don’t mind, but I asked Stewart if I could read it. He only allowed me to read the first two chapters. I am very impressed by what I’ve read so far. You’ve made great use of those storytelling talents of yours. But then you are a Bella.”

“Thank you, Gillian.” Barbara thought of how that name would always define her. Even Graham was using it now.

“I need to ask about your wardrobe. We can go shopping on Friday.”

Barbara didn’t want to spend her time shopping in Chicago. Barbara suspected that Gillian frequented upscale boutiques and spent a considerable sum of money on her wardrobe. “I’m down to a size ten now, and I took advantage of a ‘Going Out of Business’ sale here in Carden.”

“Great. How’s everything on the Graham front?” Gillian asked in a low, husky voice.

Barbara smiled and shook her head at this abrupt change of subject. Sex and relationships were constantly on Gillian’s mind. But then it seemed that’s all these humans liked to talk about. Even the happily married ladies at ReCareerin
g
liked to speculate and make comments about their male clients.

“Everything’s fine,” Barbara said. “We’ve been intimate on a number of occasions and we’re spending a lot of time together.”

“Has he introduced you to his parents or children?”

“His mother died a few years ago and his children are out West. I will be meeting them during the holidays.”

“That’s definitely a good sign.” She added, “Looks like you might get hitched before too long. Good work, Barbara.”

“I have no intention of marrying Graham. He’s great company and a wonderful companion. That’s all.”

“I take it this topic is off limits,” Gillian said. “I’ll have to keep that in mind when you come down here.”

Barbara instantly regretted her sharp words. She knew that Gillian, Lisa738, and the other women meant well. Most fifty-something single women wanted and welcomed permanent relationships with men. “I’m looking forward to meeting you this weekend, Gillian. It sounds like we’re going to have a lot of fun together.”

“I can hardly wait to meet you, Barbara.
Ciao
, Bella.”

Barbara put down the receiver. In less than a minute, the telephone rang again. She glanced at the call display and saw Graham’s number. She picked up the telephone.

“Hello, Bella. Your line has been busy for a while.”

Barbara took a breath and gave him a summary of the day’s happenings.

Graham whistled. “It sounds like you’re on your way. I’ll pick you up after work on Friday, and I’ll be waiting for you at the airport on Tuesday.”

Barbara had planned to take a cab, but she welcomed Graham’s offer.

“Let me know if you need to do any shopping beforehand,” Graham said. “I could drive you to Square One or Yorkdale.”

“No, I’m fine.” She didn’t want to waste time driving to those large, glittering caves that consumed so much human time and money. Her one and only visit to Square One had convinced her that shopping in malls overflowing with people was not a pleasant activity.

“I wish I could come over and celebrate with you tonight, but I’m still waiting for a delivery.”

“At this hour?”

“Allison DiSalle, one of my Toronto artists, promised me a few pieces last week. She and her husband are dropping it off on their way to Windsor. She called a while ago to tell me that they would be leaving a little later than usual.”

Barbara was relieved. She had been flying high all day and looked forward to unwinding by herself. “It’s all right. We’ll celebrate later this week.” 

Chapter 19

It took less than two days for everyone in Carden to hear about Barbara’s book. Friends, acquaintances, and total strangers stopped to congratulate her as she walked to and from the office. At ReCareering, Leslie joked that over one third of the daily calls were for Barbara. Clubs and organizations wanted to book her for speaking engagements, and new clients asked for her as a counselor.

This wave of attention did not endear her to Lois and the other counselors. While they had worked harmoniously in the past, the other women now kept their distance. Janice was aware of the undercurrents, and she addressed her concerns to Barbara. “When I hired you a few months ago, I had a very good feeling about you. I knew you would succeed at whatever you chose to do. But I didn’t think you would achieve superstar status so quickly.”

“I didn’t think any of this would happen,” Barbara said. “I needed to make more money and thought a book would do it for me.”

“You will definitely achieve that goal,” Janice said. “But along with the money, you’ll have to deal with the fame. Are you prepared for all that attention?”

Barbara hadn’t thought of herself as being the center of focus in Carden, or anywhere else for that matter. But she did seek Belinda Armstrong’s attention. Beyond that, she didn’t really care who knew of her, as long as they bought her book. “Intellectually, I know what to expect. As for the emotional side, I am still working on that.”

“Take it one day at a time,” Janice said. “This wave of attention won’t last too long, especially with Christmas just around the corner.” Her telephone rang and Barbara left the room.

At her desk, she looked through her planner and smiled proudly as she caught sight of the bookings for January and February. She would be speaking three to four times a week. The winter would pass very quickly.

Barbara was ready for Chicago. She had spent the previous evening with Elaine. The older woman had celebrated with her and helped pick out a few evening pieces and lingerie from the shop. She also gave Barbara a weekend bag that one of her daughters had left behind. Afterward, the two women enjoyed a lovely dinner at the Carden Inn. At dinner, they talked about the new developments in their respective lives and made a pact to keep in touch.

On Friday, Graham arrived a few minutes short of four-thirty and they set off for the airport. Barbara was glad he had offered to drive her. She was overwhelmed by the size of the terminal and the constant flow of humanity. Graham helped with her tickets and boarding pass. Before leaving, they shared a long, lingering kiss.

Barbara watched him walk away. She thought of the lovely, celebratory dinner he had prepared for her earlier in the week. Each day, it was getting harder and harder to see Graham. She definitely had feelings for him, but she couldn’t allow herself to become too attached. She was determined to leave him at the end of her year in Carden. While small town life was pleasant, it would not be enough for her.

Barbara continued toward the boarding area for her flight. She underwent the security procedures, listening to the complaints of her fellow passengers. While it was an onerous process, unfortunately there was now a need for it. As she glanced at the other passengers, she saw many tense and slightly green faces. She mentally thanked Lisa738 for the desensitization button.

The actual flight proved uneventful. She had purposely taken a window seat and spent most of her time looking at the clouds and shrinking landscape below. In very little time, they arrived at O’Hare Airport. She looked about and saw a number of people holding signs.
Ah, so that is how it’s done
, she thought. She scanned the crowd, hoping to catch sight of her own name or Gillian’s.

And then she saw her. There was no mistaking Gillian Sanderson. She was Marietta of the Etta tribe. Barbara would have recognized her anywhere, even without her sign. The tall, blond woman wore an ensemble of head-to-toe cream-colored pants and sweater, topped by a short fox fur jacket. She called out, “Gillian, I’m over here.”

Gillian smiled in welcome as she approached Barbara. As she got closer, Barbara caught sight of the lightly tanned skin in striking contrast to the blue cornflower eyes and blond halo. Gillian Sanderson had retained all her mermaid looks and added a few human enhancements. Barbara was certain of that. She didn’t know how long Gillian had been on earth, but she knew that some cosmetic surgery had been done. Everything was just too perfect.

The two women stood quietly for a few minutes, appraising each other. Gillian spoke first, “I had a feeling you would recognize me. I would not have recognized you. You may have lost some of those spectacular Bella looks, but you have a definite spark in you. It comes through in those expressive green eyes and that alabaster skin. And you don’t look your human age. You could easily pass for a forty-year-old woman. You’ve done well, Barbara.”

“Thank you, Gillian. You look amazing.” She couldn’t say anything more. She was still awestruck by the younger woman’s beauty and noticed the many admiring looks Gillian received from men of all ages.

Gillian grinned at Barbara. “They’re not just looking at me, you know. Some of the looks are for you.”

Both women laughed and linked arms. Barbara was glad she had worn her higher heels. At five foot seven, she considered herself a good human height, but Gillian was taller.

Gillian started talking again. In her familiar breathless voice, she went through the proposed itinerary for that evening and the next day. Barbara shook her head. “That’s too much for me. I may not look fifty-three, but this middle-aged body can’t compete with a . . . what is your human age?”

Gillian made a face. “I’m thirty-nine. But don’t ever tell anyone that, especially a man.”

It was clear that Gillian had issues with aging. While she didn’t look a day over twenty-nine, her body would soon start to display the signs of the aging process. It was inevitable for all mermaids who assumed human form. Only those mermaids who remained in the underwater kingdom could retain their youthful appearance and live forever. Annabella, at age seventy, could easily pass for a twenty-five-year-old human.

Barbara reassured Gillian. “Not to worry. I won’t reveal your age. Let’s scale down those activities.” Her stomach gurgled. “I ate very little on the plane. So I would enjoy dinner tonight at any restaurant you would recommend.”

“I know just the place,” Gillian said. “We could spend some time there and then go back to my condo.”

Barbara followed Gillian through the maze of doors, corridors, and escalators that led outside. After a short walk, Barbara caught sight of Gillian’s sleek, black Mitsubishi. “That car suits you to a T. I wonder what type of car would suit me.”

“You’re a classic. Go with a BMW. A black BMW.”