Indulge the old man with some mermaid watching

Richard felt for the old sea captain and wanted to cheer him up. He looked out onto the deck and said, “You know, under this clear moon light, maybe we could spot something out in the water…”

The old man chuckled, “Sure… sure…”

They took their drinks and headed outside. Richard took in a breath of salty air, the old man breathed in too, looking as if he had just come out of a cave to greet the morning sun.

“Ah… nothin like the taste of salt in your lungs!” he declared.

The deck was sparsely populated by romantic couples and the occasional solo guest, everyone else was below deck or already in bed. Richard and the captain perched themselves on the starboard side, close to the water. The yacht was cruising at a steady pace, just enough to leave a gentle wake. Other than that, the waters appeared as smooth as a frozen pond.

The two stared out into the distance for a long time, silently contemplating to themselves. Finally, the old man broke the silence with a tune. It was a slow, melodic tune which had a tenor that Richard did not believe could come out of the ancient mariner he had been conversing with. Richard couldn’t make out the words but the way they were sung were mournful yet soothing. After the old man fell silent again, the two continued to stare out into the dark waters.

“Luna used to love listening to me sing,” the sea captain reminisced.

“It was a wonderful song,” Richard said.

“You should hear me do Beyonce,” the old man grinned.

Richard burst out laughing at the remark and the captain joined in. Suddenly, there was a splash in the water, they both stopped and looked toward the noise. Richard couldn’t quite make it out, but he could have swore he saw a fin. They looked at each other for a second, then darted over to investigate, leaning over the railing.

There was nothing there when they got to the spot. The old man looked disappointed.

“It could have just been a fish,” Richard reasoned.

“I suppose…” the man said softly.

“Abe?” a soft voice whispered.

The old man’s eyes widened. “Luna?” he asked hoarsely, unable to truly believe.

A young woman with long, red hair swam closer to the side of the boat. “It’s me, Abe…”

“Luna…” Abe replied. “I’m so sorry I ran! I would never run from you again!”

Richard watched on in disbelief. Was that really a mermaid in the water? Was it really the old man’s long lost love? He wasn’t sure either way. She looked young, too young for an old codger like the sea captain, but who’s to say how mermaids age or if they ever did.

“Come, Abe… join me…” Luna whispered back.

“Yes, my dear!” Abe called out, trying to climb over the railing.

‘Wait, what are you thinking?” Richard asked, holding him back.

“That’s my wife!” he explained.

“What if it’s one of those monsters?” Richard asked.

“I don’t care… I miss her so much!” he cried, trying to push his frail body past the younger man.