Kayla of the Ocean Blue

Kayla of the Ocean Blue

    She emerges from the transparent bubble into a school of iridescent fish. The cloud of fish glistens in rainbow colors. She floats lazily in chrysanthemum dreams of seas of rolling indigo where mermen frolic splashing love through the warm waves.
     She is a golden breasted sea maiden who sparkles in prismatic colors.  She plays with porpoises in the crystal ocean. Seagulls, otters, and whales all sing a melody of love she feels. Her periwinkle nipples are pink with sunset hue. Her raven locks are wet with salty desire. Azure waters foam in crests spraying lash hooded aqua-women whose black tresses shimmer in twilight red. She surfaces like a dolphin into the cool evening air.
     Morning comes and she plunges into her sea home. Her heart leads her to visit her dear friend the Pearl Diver. Every year, she goes down to visit this man in the undersea farm where he collects oysters for his livelihood.  Unlike her, he doesn’t have artificial gills to supply his oxygen while diving a hundred feet below the surface. But he can hold his breath for seven minutes at a time. Like most Pearl Divers he works a plot. When he sees her he waves and goes about his business. She invites him to come closer, but he is busy. This goes on from year to year.      
    But one day, Kayla lies in his oyster bed. She undoes her mouthpiece and offers to share her oxygen with him. He doesn’t just accept but points to above to invite her to join him where landmen live. This is amazing.
     She might not see him for a year. Once, she hadn’t seen him for two years. But after their encounter, they are great friends. Now, when he sees Kayla coming, his oyster basket goes unfilled with his attention solely on her. He swims over to Kayla and hugs her. He loves to breathe from her gill apparatus like a true sea creature. There is no doubt in Kayla’s mind that he really digs her.
     On this morning, Kayla and the Pearl Diver dance together. When he swims by the woody he pops brushes against her. She smiles at him as he rubs his sea-cucumber against her thigh. She grasps his hands and they swim around each other in circles in an aquatic dance of life. Kayla sees the sparkle in his eyes. She is deliriously happy. When she laughs, tiny bubbles rise from her lips. She fills her mouth with oxygen from her fish-breather and fills his lungs with the air from her mouth.
    What was their yearly reunion becomes their monthly and then weekly rendezvous. His invitation to join him above the waves is renewed and this time Kayla is unafraid. They hold hands on ascension into the crystal blue light.      
     At the beach, Kayla says, “Mama gonna kick my butt out ifin she catches wind of me messing wid a landman.”
     Cedric replies, “I never knew you studied twentieth-century southern American patois.”
     She says, “I done learned enough to gab with the gals at a Yazoo City revival.”
     “Once she sees what a sterling gentleman I am she’ll she’ll have a change of heart.”
     “To Mama ya’lls all no account scoundrels.”
     “She’ll see that I ain’t no used car salesman.”
     “Ain’t no cars round these parts. But you are telling the Gospel truth.”
     Cedric asks, “There is something I’ve been curious about. You and the other mermaids always swim naked. Are you trying to turn on us guys there?”
     Kayla replies, “Oh gosh, I hate to tell you but no, that isn’t the reason. There are no physical or psychological barriers between us and the sea which is our mother and home when we are nude. Besides we feel more comfortable without bathing suits. Those are the reasons. But being the source of your arousal isn’t bad. It is actually quite good.”
     They converge where ocean and land meet. A breeze blows across the sea oats. Wind chimes ring in the salty breeze. They roll in the warm water on the wet sand. His fingers cascade down her spine. Her lips bubble kisses in smoky trails down his nape.
     They sit together on the sandy beach. Cedric says, “Kayla, tell me your thoughts on love.”
     “I can’t teach you a thing about love. I’m the all-time loser in the game of love. My score is dismal. The mermen won’t touch me with a ten-foot pole.”
     “I can’t imagine why.”
     “I play melodies on a bamboo flute a landman gave me of pining for the forests. They fear I will steal their children and head for the nearest port on
land.”  
     “But the game isn’t over till you’re dead. Look at it like underwater wrestling. Once, my competitor had me in a full nelson. Then I made a miraculous maneuver and broke free just as time expired.”
     “Do I look like an aquathlon wrestler to you?
Believe me, the game is over for me. No upset victories in my future.”
     His chivalry comes to her rescue. “Oh, you are wrong. I’m a good judge of potential. You have it in spades. You’re throwing in the towel when the game has just begun.”
     She asks, “Do you like kelp salad?”
     Cedric replies, “It is my favorite.”
     “Then marry me you fool.”
     Kayla swims through the cove. The undulating kelp fronds brush her slick skin. She feels deep peace immersed in the salty water from whence life had evolved. She scissor kicks her legs to propel her deeper into the realm of silverfish and coral reefs. She wears her gill gear converting water into oxygen. The synthesis allows her to live in the sea like a fish. She loves to drift with the current swirling her body like a kelp frond in the aqua blue cosmos which she calls home.
     Emerging from the kelp she gazes through her goggles at the shimmering bubble where her fellow mermen live. She swims to the gossamer surface pressing the lock. Her pulse begins to increase. The council still hasn’t decided what to do with her. Her relationship with the landman is innocent she thinks. She slept with him only once. Why the elders are pressing the matter baffles her.
     The airlock is empty of water and she removes her gill apparatus. She sees herself in the mirror door. Her legs are long and lean. She has curves that any man would desire. She has many childbearing years ahead.
     Kayla walks deliberately through the translucent corridor. She can see the silver dart fish flash in formation outside. Kayla feels her pulse level out. Ahead is a muscular woman with huge biceps. Kayla pauses. Her heart rate quickens. The woman she knows is the headmistress. The woman blocks her passage.
     Kayla is afraid. She knows what this implies. The reality dawns on her like the rising sun. The meaning is clear. The headmistress raises her hand, with the palm aglow with red. This is the ancient symbol for outcasts.
     Kayla retreats into the entrance of the airlock. This is her world. She can’t leave for anyone, especially not a man. But Cedric is also an urgent need. No merman inspires the fire which Cedric’s love does.
     The choice burns into her very womanhood like an unquenchable fire. Her need for Cedric is undeniable. It burns deep down in her marrow. The mistress’ palm grows bright red blinding her. Kayla falls onto her knees prostrating herself in a plea for pardon.  The headmistress caresses her scalp. She consoles her with words. “Go Kayla. Don’t bring shame to your sisters.”
     Kayla whimpers and falls back into the airlock. Donning her gill breather she swims upward into the dazzling blue light.