How To Spot A Mermaid

The water pulsed around the figure of a woman with long dark hair. From a distance, it appeared as though she was searching the water for something. The rising sun spread its light suddenly over the rooftop of a newly built house and the woman also raised her head to stare at it. Suddenly footsteps were heard coming from the direction of the road, the woman threw one last glance at the building and disappeared into the water.

***

Jason placed the small box in a corner of his travel bag, all the things he was packing up were necessities. No matter how much he wanted to, a man could not pack his whole house into a bag when he was traveling way across the world. He sure wished he could carry his dog, or at least a bit of the comfort of this house. He looked into the mirror across him and smiled, his wavy blond hair bounced as he shook his head.

He wondered what the natives would think of him. Natives? Since when had he begun to call them that? They were not the uncivilized monkeys his forefathers had discovered centuries ago. Would they think of him as the messiah? Run around in awe or flat out prostrate in worship of him? Perhaps he could dye his hair and his beard black so he could test that theory.

He picked up the book Poor Christ of Bomba from where it lay on the shelf. He knew it was stupid but he intended to use the book as some sort of bible that would guide him during his stay in Africa. He was no priest and neither did he plan to go around calling the people his children, but something told him he would have times when it would be comforting to read about the experiences (fictional or not) of another White explorer in Africa.

The door opened and he turned to see his wife, Tiffany, standing with her back to the door. She looked so tired, his feet moved until he was at the door with her in his arms.

She cried quietly, gradually wetting his shoulder with her tears.

“Don’t go,” She sobbed.

“I’m sorry Tiff,” He said, and he hugged her tighter until she squirmed out of his arms and walked towards the bed.

“I do not blame you. There is nothing for you here, is there?” She ran her hand over the fabric of the bag. “We have no children, and me? I am nothing compared to your ambition,” She said and gulped, putting a hand over her mouth.

“Don’t say that, Tiff,” Jason said. It was his turn to lean tiredly on the door. “I love you. You know I do.”

“Then unpack your bags, stay with me,” Tiffany begged.

“I can’t do that, my team is counting on me, my flight leaves in two hours!” He strode over to her. “I will finish the project and come back to you. Then we will try to have a baby again, okay?”

“This house will be empty without you,” Tiffany said.

“Buy a dog, will you? And take care of my beautiful wife,” Jason said, kissing her ring finger.

“I will, and come back to me, Jason. You’re all I’ve got.’ She said. She kissed his knuckles.

“I will,” said Jason. He wrapped his arms around her and they kissed each other in a long and hard goodbye gesture.

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***

The Jeep bounced hard on the trail and Jason gritted his teeth. The discomfort of the bad roads was already getting to him. He recalled standing in the airport with all its nice buildings and wishing he had traveled all the way from America to live in a community as beautiful as the airport. Yet he knew that was not possible, it was either one or the other. A community as developed as the airport would not want him snooping around their community and would most definitely sell the land to him at an exorbitant price.

“When are we going to actually get there?” He asked aloud. Howard looked at him and smiled.

“We are not too far from the place now,” he said.

“Seriously?” Jason said sarcastically. Then he took deep breaths to calm himself down. He didn’t want to start his first day with the team on an angry note. Howard was just one out of five members, he was here to drive them around and help the workers with construction. He had recommended Jane to Jason. Jane was a professional security personnel who had volunteered to be their chef during their stay in the community.

Eli, an environmental specialist that would make sure they were doing things that would not harm the environment too much. He had met the fifth member of their team online, she claimed to be a traveler and through their conversations, he noticed they had like minds. They would both be on the planning and organizational team. The car hit another pothole and Jason looked up at the sky, praying for strength.

“Jason wake up!” Jason heard Howard from a distance. He had been having a weird dream that he was stuck underwater and his prowess in swimming couldn’t help him. After struggling at his invisible binds and failing, he realized he was alone. Then a large fin flashed at the edge of his vision and his blood ran cold.

“BOSS. Wake up!” Howard shouted into Jason’s ears. The poor man shot up from his sleeping position so fast he almost bashed his teeth on the car window.

“Are you alright?” Howard asked him when he was sure Jason was fully awake.

“Yeah, I’m good,” he said and he looked towards the house “Is this us?” he asked.

“Yes,” Howard answered, opening his door and getting out of the car. “Hey, Queen!” He called out to a tall dark woman leaning on the balcony and drinking orange juice from a tall glass.

Jason looked up when he heard that name, the woman on the balcony looked very warm and soft, in contrast to the hard professional picture of her on her profile. She was smiling and staring right at him. Jason felt his heart jolt shockingly. What did it mean? He had never in his life been attracted to a black woman.

***

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“So how do you see the place?” Jason asked. He had finally gotten to be alone with her. They were all outside the house sitting around the fire, drinking brandy, and talking. Jane was sitting on Eli’s laps and laughing loudly at something he said. Howard was staring out into the night with a faraway look on his face. The fire separated Jason and Queen from the others.

“Smells like home. This is my second visit to Africa since I was born. The first time, I was barely six years old so I don’t really remember much,” Queen said. Jason stared at the movement of her lips until she smiled and he realized she was aware he was staring.

“Your name is Queen,” he said stupidly. “What about your African name?”

“Àmenzé. It was given to me by my mother,” Queen said.

“Beautiful. Ah-men-zi”, he said. She gave him a look, “or not, haha. With time I will be able to pronounce it correctly. What does it mean anyway?” he asked

“Sea Water,” She said.

“Sea Water” He repeated. “Beautiful name. I must admit you do look like the sea.”

Queen laughed “How so?” She asked.

“Beautiful and dangerous,” Jason answered with a teasing smile on his face.

“You’re not so bad yourself,” She said, and they both smiled.

“What do you think about the plan?” Jason asked after a moment of silence.

“What is the plan exactly?”

“To build a resort where people like us, tourists from the developed world can come and enjoy the peaceful beauty of this lagoon,” He said.

“There is not much land here, will it be a small building?” Queen asked.

“Definitely not. We will be extending it into the water,” Jason replied

“The water, what do the natives think about that? I hear they worship the mermaid that lives in it.”

“A mermaid? Come on. Do mermaids really exist?” Jason asked

“You’d have to ask the natives that question,” Queen said and laughed.

“I would but I don’t really care about their unfounded beliefs. Mermaids don’t exist but my resort will, very soon,” Jason said confidently.

“Even if the people do not want it to?” Queen asked.

“Yes, they do not really have a choice in the matter. I have paid their government a huge sum, despite the fact that my resort will bring great revenue for them,” he said, they shared a look.

“That’s true.”

“It will be a beautiful place, trust me. We’ll be starting construction next week as soon as the equipment gets here,” Jason said.

“That’s great! Meanwhile, can I lean on your shoulder?” Queen asked. Jason held out an arm and wrapped it around her supple body. He still couldn’t get over how tender her skin looked and felt. With his arm around her, his senses were being assaulted with the smell and the feel of her. He leaned in for more.

“I need to go get my inhaler,” Queen said, getting up hurriedly. Jason knew it was an excuse, she had noticed his arousal and was running away from him. When she was gone, he caught himself flexing his suddenly empty arms and wondering what Tiffany would be doing at that time.

***

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Jason walked towards the lagoon with Howard, their boots crashing on the rocks and seashells. At that time of the morning, the mist still hung over the water and birds chirped on the trees. Jason took a deep breath and closed his eyes, eager to absorb the peacefulness of the morning.

“The natives say there is a mermaid living in this water,” Howard said when they reached the banks.

“That’s a bowl of codswallop propagated by lack of civilization,” Jason said

“There was a time when we too believed that mermaids existed,” Howard pointed out.

“Well thank God we have seen the light,” Jason snapped. They were silent for a while and Jason returned to inhaling the fresh air.

“Jason,” Howard called. Jason opened his eyes to see the other man sitting on a large piece of rock “What exactly brought you here?” He asked.

“This resort,” Jason said with a sweep of his hands to indicate the land and the water.

“Yes, that is one of the reasons. The less important one, if I am correct.”

“I wanted to experience this, this peace. Wanted to be healed by this quiet for some time before I return to the tense atmosphere of an eighteen-year-old childless marriage,” Jason said, his mouth twisted into a sad smile.

“I can say I was escaping too,” Howard said.

“From what?” Jason asked.

“From loneliness,” Howard said and when he caught Jason’s disbelieving look he laughed. “I am in love with Jane”

“What? She barely looks at you.”

“I know. I’m hoping that while we work, I would one day be able to chuck Eli into this lagoon,” He said. Both men laughed at the joke.

“Speak of the devil,” Jason said, Eli was walking towards them.

“The natives want to see you?” he said when he was within speaking distance.

“What the hell for?” Jason asked.

“I don’t know, but they say it is important,” Eli replied. He turned to Howard and handed him a beautiful seashell. “Jane said I should give this to you, something about you liking them,” He said, looking peeved.

“Thank you,” Howard said, holding it in an elaborately gentle manner. He cast a glance at Jason and saw that the other man was also trying hard not to laugh. Eli looked from one man to the other, shook his head and walked away.

***

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The native messenger had a huge black feather held to his head by a leather band. His face was hairless, and the muscles on his chest and back seemed to ripple as he moved. Jason caught Queen staring at the man for longer than he would have liked. He resisted the urge to cover her eyes with his hand. The other men with him were not as impressive, but they all had wild looks in their eyes that made them seem fierce and dangerous.

“We have come to negotiate with you,” The messenger said. Jason’s eyebrows went up, the fellow could speak English, and fluently too.

“State your terms,” Jason said as fluidly as he could, considering the shock he had just received.

“We will allow you to build on our sacred lagoon, we cannot stop you. But we ask that you postpone the construction by one week” He said.

“Why would I do that?” Jason asked.

“Our yearly festival is a week from today, and that is the day our goddess the mermaid, returns and comes out of the waters to bless us. On that day, we ask that you make a small sacrifice on our behalf,” The messenger continued.

“Why the hell would I do that?” Jason asked in outrage.

“Just a few chickens will not kill you, but if you fail to make that sacrifice, we all will die. How would you like the blood of over one thousand souls on your conscience?” The messenger asked, he was becoming agitated. Jason sat back on his chair and thought deeply while keeping an eye on the muscled man.

“How many chickens are we talking about?” Jason asked. The messenger’s face broke into a wide smile.

“Just three chickens will do. Three white cocks.” He said.

“Consider it done then,” Jason said. The native messenger got up suddenly and beat his chest twice. Then he threw his fisted arm towards Jason in a salute.

“Thank you, White man,” He said. Jason inclined his head towards him and watched as all the natives filed out of the small tent made from palm tree leaves that had been built in front of their house.

“So where do you intend to get those chickens from?” Queen asked, coming to sit beside him. Jason held out a hand and caressed her face.

“I am more preoccupied with what I am to do with you,” He said, the beautiful woman lowered her eyes shyly and Jason felt a sudden impulse to put her inside himself somehow. He was falling in love with her and as he stared into her eyes he saw the reason why.

Someone cleared her throat at the door and they both looked up to see Jane standing at the door of the tent. “I can’t find Howard,” She said.

“He is sitting by the lagoon,” Queen replied. Jason wanted to ask how she knew that but he dismissed it.

“Thanks, sweetie,” Jane said to the other woman.

“Jane!” Jason called when she turned to leave, “He is a good man,” He said. Jane stared at him for a moment, then she turned and left. Jason looked back at the woman beside him. Her eyelashes fanned out on her cheekbones and her lips were pursed invitingly.

“Now, I will kiss you,” He pronounced. Then he claimed her sweet mouth.

ONE WEEK LATER

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Jason walked hand in hand with Queen towards the water. The three white cocks were in the paper bag he carried. The drums and shouts had woken him from his lazy sleep that night and he was a little bit excited at the prospect of watching how the festival unfolded. Queen, however, had different plans. She steered him away from the crowd until they were behind an outcropping of rocks.

“Let us dance,” she said with a playful smile on her lips. Jason pulled her to himself and kissed her long and deep until she gasped for breath.

“Dance for me,” He said huskily. His voice held the promise of another steamy night spent tangled on their small bed.

Obedient as always, Queen took off her shoes and her gown until she was in her pink bikini set. Never had Jason seen a woman so naturally endowed, and when she danced? Her movements were fluid, graceful, and in tandem with the beating of the drums. When she stretched out her hand and beckoned for him to come to her, Jason felt himself rise up slowly. His mind was in a daze because of the glory of her beauty. She took him in her arms and they danced slowly.

“Do you know who I am?” She asked. Jason shook his head because it was true, he did not know this woman dancing with him. “Come, let us sit on the sand,” She said.

They sat down on the sand, the water lapping at their feet like an obedient dog. Jason stared at Queen as she sat facing the water, the light of the moon was reflected off her.

“Who are you?” He asked when he found his voice. She turned to him and smiled.

“I am the goddess of this lagoon. I heard that a man dared to defy my people and was going ahead with his planned building on MY waters. Many of my daughters wanted to come to execute you themselves but I like you, was tired of all the boredom in my kingdom,” She said.

“Why did you not kill me this past week?” Jason asked. He felt wrong somehow, although he couldn’t understand why he suddenly felt death was a better fate than anything else she intended to give him.

“I grew somewhat fond of you when I saw how much we were alike in the way we think. I used your wife to speak to you, in an effort to get you to change your mind but it did not work out so I waited for you here,” Queen said and grew quiet.

“So will you allow me to build the resort?” Jason asked, suddenly realizing that this might be his last chance to have a heart to heart with the mermaid. Queen threw her head back and laughed. The laughter sounded like thunder in his ears. She stopped laughing and looked at the cocks who were slowly breaking loose from the bag.

“The only mercy I will show you is the mercy of taking you with me. For a human who dared defy me, your sentence is a mild one,” She said, her eyes twinkled as she grabbed his chin and kissed him full on the mouth.

The next morning while the others were searching the house for Jason, Howard walked towards the water. When he got to it, he saw the empty paper bag that had held the white cocks and the fresh footprints of a man, leading into the water. He bent down and dusted them away.