The Cowboy and the Mermaid

The Cowboy and the Mermaid

Pearl has a party and invites Lorelei as well as a few of her friends. Lorelei arrives early and she and Pearl play games before the others arrive. She meets Gilberto Gonzalo and Theodora Jayne. They seem very nice and friendly. Gilberto and Theodora spend time dancing in the kitchen so no one can get to the food! Lorelei had some kelp in her pocket from diving earlier in the day and ate a bite or two of it.
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Lorelei never had a chance to meet this fellow as he stayed glued to Pearls side the entire time. He might be one of her coworkers or boss at the science center. The party was a success and everyone had a good time.
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Dwight feels restless and stinky and wonders how long it has been since he had a shower. He takes one and the shower breaks down just as he gets out. He was always handy and could fix most anything that broke on the ranch so he finds some tools and sets to work.
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He decides to take a walk and very carefully goes down the stairs holding onto the rail in case his leg buckles. He smells the salty air and takes deep breaths inhaling the clean air into his lungs and getting rid of the stale fumes from the last several weeks. He looks out into the night sky at the stars shining bright as far as the eye can see. It really is an amazing view, so different from back home, but beautiful and he decides maybe he could get used to it. Maybe.
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Dwight has another TV dinner for supper. Maybe it is time to invest in a cookbook. He is tired and for once in the last few weeks he doesn't drink himself to sleep. He lies in bed listening to the sound of the surf feeling his body relax as the waves crash to shore.
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Lorelei bikes home from the party and walks next door to swim before going in for the night. She notices the new outdoor lights that brighten the pool area. She does not see any lights on in the house. She shrugs and dives into the water changing into mer form as her body fully enters the water. She swims in circles enjoying herself in the warm waters of the pool. So different from swimming in the ocean and a lovely change for her before retiring for the night.
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Dwight is relaxed as he lies in bed. He is not asleep yet just in that dozing stage before deep sleep. He hears noises at the pool. He gets up and walks into the next room to look out the window. He is shocked by what he sees, or thinks he sees. A mermaid! A beautiful mermaid swimming around in his pool. No way! He rubs his eyes and looks again. Still a mermaid. What kind of trick is life playing on him now! He didn't even drink any brew this evening.
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Moving as quickly as he can with a bum leg and bad back he makes his way out of the house and around to the pool area. Empty, the pool is empty! No mermaid, no female. Nothing! He stares at the pool frustrated. He knows what he saw. Something was swimming in the pool. Something that looked like a mermaid, only there is no such thing as a mermaid.
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He walks closer to the pool and finds a couple of puddles near the diving board. Those puddles of water did not form by themselves. His leg is aching and his back is protesting so he sits down in front of the diving board hoping he will be able to get back up. He makes a note to self to buy some lawn furniture. He contemplates what he saw.
I'm not dreaming! The water on the deck is real. I didn't have any brew this evening to befuddle my brain. I saw what I saw. But, how can that be? What does Sherlock Simholmes say? when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth? Someone was in the pool and however improbable it appeared to be a mermaid. He must investigate this mystery.
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Using the diving board he is able to get the leverage to stand. He walks around the pool deck and yard and finds a few more puddles leading out of his lot around the fence. The same fence he saw someone disappearing around a few weeks ago. He thinks about going back in to change clothes, but figures if anyone sees him his boxers might look like a swim suit. He studies the ground as he walks around the lot next door and finds another puddle leading toward the front deck of the house. He will make sure to meet his next door neighbor and find out what is going on. It is a little late to be knocking on doors. But first, he needs to get his life in order.
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