Current Impressions (4 page)

“Why?”

“He’s not too comfortable being the center
of attention.”

I looked out at the crowd. Although parents
were busy restraining children and some small conversations
blossomed, for the most part, all eyes were on us. I squirmed and
realized I had something in common with my uncle. I wondered if I
could escape to the kitchen, too.

“My brother, Ren, is visiting right now,
too, with his wife and son.” Ula shrugged, unconcerned that they
weren’t here. “Nico might still be napping.”

Before I could say anything, my dad stood
and addressed the crowd. “Tonight, we celebrate a family member
coming home. My daughter, Meara. May you welcome her with open arms
and open hearts. May this celebration be the first of many that we
have together. Let the feast begin!”

After a round of applause, the attention in
the room turned from the stage to the food. Platters were passed
and glasses lifted in toasts. Laughter rang throughout the cavern.
I filled my plate and ate with delight. Like the salmon at lunch,
the food was prepared with expertise, and flavors burst in my
mouth.

My dad poured me a glass of wine, which made
me think of Mom, who never let me drink. I missed her. She would’ve
loved it here. This was a side of my dad that she never knew. I was
only beginning to see who he really was. I took a sip of wine and
relished the taste of ripe summer berries. Setting down my glass, I
caught my dad’s eye. He looked happy and proud. My heart surged,
and I was glad that he found us, that I had him in my life.

The hall buzzed with conversation. As
families finished eating, they cleared their tables. Children and
adults alike carried plates and platters out of the room. I moved
to clear my own spot, but my dad covered my hand.

“Not tonight,” he said. “This is in your
honor. It would be disrespectful if you worked.”

I sat back into my chair but, within
minutes, started to fidget. To get here, Dad and I had to swim for
two days straight. If I sat still long enough, I’d fall asleep at
the table. I rubbed my eyes and wondered if I got sand in them on
the way here. They felt gritty and sore.

“Come.” Ula stood. “I’ll walk you to your
room.”

I checked with Dad first. He nodded and
stood to offer me his hand. Once I rose, he kissed my cheek. “Rest
well, Meara. You’ve had a long journey.”

As we walked back to my room, Ula chatted
easily. She told me about some of the larger families and the
antics of the triplets. I wasn’t sure I’d remember what she said,
but she didn’t seem to care. It was Ula’s nature to be easygoing
and friendly.

We stopped outside my door, and she hugged
me tight. “I’m so glad you’re here, Meara.”

“Me, too.” I realized I meant it. This felt
like home.

“Rest up.” She turned to leave, but not
before I saw her face. Why were her eyes filled with sympathy?

I caught her arm. “What’s that look
for?”

“Your first lesson is tomorrow,” she said,
as if that explained it all.

“And?”

“It’s with Brigid.”

She slipped out of my grasp and hurried down
the hall. My dad chose Aunt Brigid for my first lesson? What was
she going to teach me? How to stop an enemy with a death glare? I
swallowed the lump that formed in my throat. Morning would come
much too quickly.

“How’s your girlfriend? What’s her name?
Mary?”

“Meara,” Evan automatically corrected. He
ground his teeth and bit back a sharp reply. For some reason,
Professor Nolan never remembered Meara’s name. He got the M right,
but every name followed except Meara.

“Meara.” He said the name as if trying it
out on his tongue. “That’s right. Sorry. You haven’t mentioned her
much lately. Is everything okay?”

“She’s in Scotland visiting her dad’s
family, remember?” Evan knew that he told Professor Nolan about
Meara leaving several times already.

“Right. Right,” he muttered. His eyes were
currently glued to the microscope before him. “Hand me that tray by
the sink. I’ll need the other specimen, too. Hurry!”

After working with Professor Nolan for the
last two semesters, Evan thought that he’d be used to his
personality. The professor’s quick mood changes still startled him.
Theodore Nolan was nothing if not meticulous. His mind was
brilliant, but scattered at times. Evan struggled to keep up with
the orders barked at him in quick succession. Professor Nolan might
be quiet and timid amongst strangers, but get him alone and he was
a drill sergeant.

“Did you feed the animals?” Professor Nolan
asked. He held his hand out for the other tray. Evan gave it to
him.

“Yes.” The animals Professor Nolan referred
to were the seals and sea lions in the large pool, part of the
aquarium section of the lab. The animals, retired entertainers,
were used to putting on a show. Their antics amused Evan, but now
he couldn’t help looking at them and seeing Meara as a Selkie.
There was something eerie about your girlfriend turning into a
seal. He tried not to let it bother him. She couldn’t help what she
was, and in some ways, she would have better insight into marine
biology than he would.

“And you’ve made arrangements for their care
as I requested?”

“All set.” He’d called the small group of
students that Professor Nolan trusted, creating a schedule for the
tanks to be cleaned and the fish and mammals fed. They were going
to be gone for a month on the research project in Scotland. He
tried to be fair and assign the chores evenly. The other students
didn’t seem to mind, and they’d be compensated for their work.

The professor looked up from the microscope.
For a moment, Evan thought his eyes flashed a brilliant turquoise.
When he looked closer, they were their normal slate blue. The
professor raised his eyebrow. Too late, Evan realized he was
staring.

“Is something wrong?” Professor Nolan
asked.

“No.” It must have been the light from the
microscope causing a strange reflection. That, or Evan was just
tired. He hadn’t slept well for weeks.

Professor Nolan patted his shoulder. “Go
home, Evan. You’re exhausted. I’m almost done here, and we can
continue in the morning.”

Evan nodded. He knew the professor was
right. He wasn’t looking forward to the drive back to Peggy’s Cove.
As if he could read his mind, the professor asked, “Are you okay to
drive?”

Evan shrugged. He wasn’t really sure. Every
muscle cried out in exhaustion. Professor Nolan snapped off the
microscope, grabbing his coat and keys.

“Come on,” he said. “Call your parents.
You’re crashing on my couch tonight.”

“But—”

“I will not have you falling asleep behind
the wheel.” The professor’s brows lowered, and he gave Evan a stern
look. “You’re coming with me, and that’s final.”

Evan called home while Professor Nolan
closed up the lab. His mom answered on the first ring.

“Where are you?” She sounded worried.

“Still at the lab, Mom.” He knew his tone
was defensive, but he was almost twenty years old. When was she
going to stop worrying about him? “I’m going to crash at Professor
Nolan’s house tonight.”

“You sure? I can come get you.”

“It’s fine.” Evan softened his voice. Of
course she would offer to make a forty-minute trip just to bring
him home. That was the kind of mother she was. “He invited me. I’ll
be home for dinner tomorrow.” He’d just work in the same clothes
again. It wasn’t like it really mattered.

“Well, if you’re sure…” Her voice trailed
off.

“I love you, Mom.”

He heard her soft sigh of resignation before
she responded. “Love you, too, honey.”

After she hung up, he pocketed his phone and
looked at the professor, who was testing the handle on the door
after locking it. He always ensured no one could enter his lab
after hours.

“All set?” the professor asked. Evan nodded
and followed him out of the building. Some of the faculty lived on
the far end of campus in an apartment complex that was far away
from the student dorms. Evan wasn’t surprised to see that was where
they headed. The professor led him into the long, brick building
and started up the stairs. They went up three flights and stopped
in the middle of the hall. Professor Nolan unlocked the door and
stood back to let Evan pass. “Feel free to make yourself at
home.”

“Thanks.” From the doorway, Evan could see
that although no lights were on, the apartment was not dark.
Reflections on the wall gave the effect of being underwater. When
Evan passed the professor and gazed in the living room, he saw the
source. A narrow fish tank ran the length of the room. Exotic fish
of all sizes and colors swam inside. “Wow. Great tank.”

Professor Nolan rubbed the back of his neck
and gave Evan a sheepish smile. “Thanks. My job is also my hobby. I
guess you could call it an obsession. There are few things more
important to me.”

Evan could understand. He lost himself in
his studies all the time. He was thrilled when Professor Nolan took
him on as his intern. He continued to study the room, which was
sparsely furnished at best. There was no TV. No radio or sound
system. No source of entertainment besides the tank. The room held
a sleek, leather couch and a matching chair and ottoman. A glass
coffee table completed the ensemble. The walls were bare.

“Are you hungry? Thirsty?” Professor Nolan
asked as he went into the kitchen.

“A drink would be great.” Evan didn’t
necessarily mean alcoholic, but when he was handed a cold beer, he
didn’t complain. “Thanks, Professor.”

Professor Nolan laughed and shook his head.
“Call me Ted.” He drew a long drink, emptying half his beer at
once. “If we’re going to be working together all summer and
traveling abroad, ‘Professor’ is going to get old.” Evan didn’t say
anything, so he continued. “Sorry I don’t have a TV. Never did like
those things, but you’re tired anyway, right?”

Evan nodded. “I appreciate you letting me
stay, Ted.” He tried the name out. It felt strange on his tongue,
but he’d get used to it.

“No need to thank me. I’m the one making you
work these crazy hours.” He set his empty bottle on the table.
“I’ll get you a pillow and blanket. The couch actually isn’t too
bad to sleep on. I’ve done it many times myself.”

While Ted went to get the bedding, Evan took
a closer look at the tank. These fish were much more exotic than
any in the lab, their colors vibrant. The tank was meticulously
maintained. Not only were the fish thriving, but also plants of all
varieties bloomed in complementary colors and abundant
textures.

“Who needs entertainment when you have a
fish tank, right?” The professor’s voice came from behind him. Evan
jumped slightly. “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.” Ted set the
blanket and pillow on the couch. “Bathroom is the first door past
the kitchen. Only other door here is to my room. It’s a pretty
small place.”

“It’s nice.” Evan didn’t know what else to
say, but he figured he was expected to comment. Considering the
professor was a single guy, it seemed big enough. He wondered if
Ted ever married, if he had kids. He was so married to his work, it
didn’t seem like there was room in his life for more.

“Do you need anything else?” Ted asked. Evan
shook his head. “Then I’ll see you in the morning.”

After Ted left the room, Evan unfolded the
blanket and stretched out on the couch. It was comfortable. As
tired as he was an hour ago, he found himself wide-awake now. He
watched the fish in the tank and thought of Meara. He made it a
week without her. He wondered what she was doing now. Was she
learning about her new powers? Did she like her uncles and the rest
of David’s family? He hoped she was happy. He couldn’t wait to see
her again, but he wished it wasn’t over a month away. Would he make
it that long? Losing himself in his job helped some, but the ache
in his heart was always present.

The fish glided around the tank as Evan
watched, and his eyes eventually grew heavy. Finally, he slept, and
when he did, he dreamed of the ocean.

He was following a seal. Though the water
should have been frigid, it was not. He swam with strong, sure
strokes. They passed coral and schools of fish, not unlike what was
in his professor’s tank. They swam for long stretches before Evan
realized he was breathing underwater, wearing only his boxers. Why
wasn’t he in a diving suit? How was he breathing underwater?

The seal sensed his hesitation and stopped
to look back at him. He stared into its eyes and realized something
else. This wasn’t just any seal. It was Meara.

She jerked her head in the direction they
were swimming, and her body shook impatiently. Without words, Evan
knew she wanted him to follow her. He picked up his pace to match
hers. He was so intent on keeping up with her that he almost
slammed into her back when she stopped short.