Halfway There
by Linda Garnett
Esmeralda
the mermaid and Steve the fisherman rendezvoused
at the river bank as they had for months.
“I’ve
made my decision. I want to do this,” said
Steve.
“Are
you sure? Remember, there’s no going back.”
He
placed a diamond necklace around her neck.
“I
love you. I want to change into a merman and
spend eternity with you.”
She
took out a large compact mirror she had tucked
inside her tail.
“I
love your taste in -- I mean, I love you too.
You’ve really spoiled me with all of the
beautiful jewelry you have given me.”
She
placed her hand on his heart and began the
transformation spell. Suddenly, his nostrils
pinched together and he could hardly breathe.
His
eyes bulged and his face turned purple, red and
then orange. She stopped chanting and he fell
over.
“You
liar! You don't want to change for me. Your heart
told me you’re a jewel thief running from
the police,” said Esmeralda.
Steve
tried to stand up but his body felt like jelly.
“What the hell are you talking about?"
“I
was just a storage unit for you, wasn’t I?”
"If
you help me up, I can explain everything.”
Esmeralda
smirked. “I forgot to mention that the spell
has a nasty side effect when you lie. Take a look
at yourself.”
He
screamed at his reflection in her mirror. White
stripes circled his bloated orange head and body.
He had no nose, a small mouth, and bulging black
eyes. His arms and legs had become fins.
“Oh
my god, I’m a clownfish! Undo the spell!
Undo it!”
“I
told you there was no going back.”
“Then
put me out of my misery and eat me!”
“Sorry
Steve, but I want a merman with good taste, not
some clown who might taste good.”
She
flicked her tail and he fell screaming into the
river.
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