LEGEND OF THE MER Read Online Free

rippling out at Gull Island .  It’s when the sun is bright and warm.  The island is usually shrouded by fog, but not on a mermaid day,” said Miss Perry as she pointed out towards Gull Island .
     
    “You mean that’s where we’re going?” Lana aske d in disbelief.
     
    “Yes, you see, it is a mermaid day and all is calm and sunny.  I have been going to Gull Island at least once a year since I was the age of ten.  That’s when my mother died of cancer.  My father would go out fishing all day and I was cared for by my grandmother.  On a mermaid day, I would wait until she nodded off to sleep in the afternoon and take my treasures to Gull Island and leave them there for the mermaids . ” Miss Perry smiled proudly.
     
    “I can’t believe that my dad hasn’t tried to stop you . ”
     
    “Oh, I won’t say he hasn’t tried.  I just tell him that it’s a mermaid day and he shakes his head laughing at me , ” she said laugh ing herself.
     
    Gull Island really wasn’t an island at all.  It was just a large stone rising up out of the water in a triangular shape.  It was named Gull Island because it’s where the seagulls gather.  Lana had always seen it from the lighthouse and it was a comforting landmark.  It was constant and never changing, except for the fog coming and going.  It was a good three miles out from Safe Harbor Island and Lana couldn’t believe that two little girls have rowed there.
     
    “I ‘m so glad that you came along with me,” said Miss Perry.
     
    “I am t oo, I always wanted to go there even though I knew it wasn’t allowed,” giggled Lana.
     
    “Yes, I don’t always do the things I should, or maybe it’s that I don’t always trust others judgment of things.  I like to find out a thing for myself . ”   Miss Perry grinned .
     
    Lana smiled and said, “I can see that we are a lot alike.”  Just then, Lana looked up to see the massive stone in front of her and something seemed so familiar.
     
    “The only place to leave your gifts for the mermaids is on the other side,” Miss Perry said as she rowed around the large stone mountain.  As she did, Lana saw a flat ledge that rose two feet out of the water.  It was a good six feet in width and eight feet in length.  Then Lana began to remember the feel of the stone beneath her legs as she sat there when she was a child.  She even thought she remembered her father sitting there with her and even her...
     
    “Lana, what is it?” Miss Perry asked with concern for the look on Lana’s face.
     
    “I, I’m not sure.  I can remember being here as a child.  I sat on that very ledge,” she said as she began to look down into the blue and green shimmering water.
     
    “You remember being here?”
     
    “Yeah with my dad, and I think my mom?” Lana continued staring down into the water.
     
    “Lana, are you alright?”
     
    “Yeah , I think so.  It’s just that I feel so strange, it’s like I can remember swimming here.  Not just here, but down there,” said Lana as she looked up at Miss Perry confused by it .
     
    “Maybe your dad did bring you here to swim before.”
     
    Lana began to remember all she saw beneath the water, it was like she could almost remember every rock and reef below.  How could I ?   If I was here when my mother was alive, I’ d have been a toddler.
     
    Miss Perry brought out a shell necklace from a duffle bag, as well as a dozen or so oranges. “This is my mermaid offering this year.  You think they’ll like it?”
     
    “Sure,” Lana said, not looking up from the water.
     
    “Lana, is there something you would like to talk about?” Miss Perry asked seriously.
     
    “No, not right now anyway.  Miss Perry, please don’t freak out or anything.  It’s just, I have to know what’s down there,” Lana said as she began to pull off her tennis shoes.
     
    Miss Perry could not believe what she thought Lana was about to do, “Lana, what are you doing?”
     
    “I