A Fish Tale
by Cindy
Cockrell
What a perfect
day for sailing! Mary Ann felt lucky that at only
21 years old, her life was anything but boring.
This was an experience of a lifetime. After all,
how many girls were able to live with a boy they
loved while he played guitar in a rock band?
Especially in Marathon Key which seemed like
paradise.
Aura, a middle-aged
friend of the band, invited the group and a
couple of friends to go sailing on her spacious
white and gold trimaran. Aura appeared to have
adopted JR, the lead singer from Birmingham, who
had an incredible singing voice as well as a
Southern charm which he used lavishly on the
ladies who came into the club.
The band arrived at Aura’s house on the
water’s edge and were in awe as it was a far
cry from the cheap hotel where they performed as
the house band. Mary Ann, a girl of modest
beginnings, felt lucky to be living her life in
this tropical nirvana.
The beginning of the sailing trip was exciting
but a bit scary. Jimmy Buffet’s music and
wine made it an intoxicating experience. While
the sun was gleaming on the crystal blue water,
Aura asked to stop at a small red and white float,
a sign of someone’s lobster trap below.
However, Mary Ann became nervous when questioning
Aura about whom it belonged to. Evidently,
obtaining lobsters was more of a priority to the
group than the legality of it. Everyone became
excited when not only lobsters were in the trap,
but also something attached resembling a large
fin.
Once hauled in, the lobsters were cooking in a
large pot while the object was cleaned up. It
appeared to be a tail about the size of a mermaid’s
appendage. While everyone dined on lobster and
salad, excitement grew as the sunburned and
slightly drunk group discussed what this find
might mean. The tail was spread out on the porch
as they pondered what a phenomenal media story
this would create about the band! They already
achieved local interest but this find might give
them national prestige, going viral as the kids
say. The problem was, how to explain where they
found it?
They entered the venue just in time for their set.
The crowd was boisterous. JR and the band took
the stage while dancing and drinking commenced.
During a break between songs, Aura brought in the
tail and placed it at the side of the stage.
Mayhem broke out when curious customers swarmed
the strange thing. Before the band could answer
the crowd’s questions, an enchanting young
woman with flowing, red hair appeared from the
back of the club.
She was sitting in a wheelchair wearing an
emerald green dress. She wheeled herself up onto
the stage while pushing others out of the way.
The band gasped when they realized the long-haired
maiden had no legs.
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