Meeting with the Mermaid (77)

Ariel Marie Thomas. There was 14 of them listed on the web. He flipped through the files one back one. Then he found an old news article.

Building Collapses Killing 19 killed. Listed in the article was a family of four killed. Ariel Marie Thomas age 8.

No this was not true. She was at school. He then dug deeper into the news on the building and then the obituary. She was not listed there. She was listed as a survivor living with her grandparents.

He did a quick search of Martha and James Jensen and found were they had died a few years ago and was survived by their granddaughter Ariel Marie Jensen.

He the found her on the net. She worked with kids at the Capital swimming pool. She also put on Mermaid shows to rasie money for the youth center.

He then called the number and set up an appointment to meet her.

Ariel just finish the minnow swim class. These little kids are so fearless on their Second year of learning how to swim.

"Hey Ariel come to the office when you are done." Kevin yelled.

Ariel gave him a thumbs up and help the last of the kids out of the pool and over to their parents.

"See you next week." She said to each of them. Then a little redhead came over.

"How can I help you Lily?" She asked.

"I don't see my mommy."

"Then just wait with me right here. Tell me how you've been?"

"My Uncle Marcus woke up. He was being silly."

"How do you mean?" Ariel was being a little nosy. She had met the tall dark redhead once a year ago. It broke her heart when she learned of his accident.

"He thought mommy was dead. And he was married to a girl with your name." She giggled.

"That is funny. Can you imagine him married to a Mermaid."

"That is funny. Daddy says I can go see you when you do your next fundraiser. Is that all right?" Lily asked.

"Yes, I'll let you know when we have another one planned." Ariel then looked over to see a tall blonde walking over to them. "There is your Mommy."

Lily went running over. "Sorry I was late. My husband had to drop off a few things at the hospital. Thank you for waiting with her." Kimberly said.

"No problem Mrs. McKenna. Lily did very good in swim class. She will be able to go into the blue gill class soon." Ariel said. She waved goodbye and headed to office.

"Kevin What's up?" She said rewrapping the towel around her.

"I know you have another class in 15 but I wanted to let you know someone wants to talk to you about a fundraiser for Fire Safty for Children. Think you can talk to them?" Kevin said.

"Why me? Kevin you set these things up. I just do my Mermaid act."

"They asked for you. You know all the things to set this up. We will get 25% of the profits and the fire department gets 75% for their project. We really need the money."

"Ok, when and where?" Ariel sighed in defeat.

"Capital hospital. Room 421. The man in charge is Mr. McKenna."

"Lily's father? Why the hospital and not his office?" She asked.

"Don't know but the appointment is for 5 tonight. You need to go now your class will start soon."

"Yay go Blue gills. You suck Kevin." Ariel made the loser sign on her forehead as she walked out.

Ariel walked out of the showers and after drying her hair she dressed in a pale blue sundress. She stopped by the office to get the information packet and the contacts needed for show.

She hated the hospital with a passion and hoped that this would be quick. She spent way to much time here when her grandparents were sick. Both also passed away in this very hospital.

Through the last few years she had helped raise money for the children's ward, cancer ward, and Children's rehab.

She took the elevator up to the fourth floor and stopped by the nurses station.

"Can I help you?" A cheerful young nurse asked.

"I have an appointment with Mr. McKenna in room 421."

She then smiled and pushed a button, "Mr. McKenna did you make an appointment with... what's your name dear?"

"Ariel Jensen with Fundraising with Mermaids." Ariel said

"Ariel Jensen with Fundraising with Mermaids." She repeated.

"Send her in please." The voice said.

"It's down that hall. Please keep it quick. Marcus just woke up yesterday."

"Thank you I will." Ariel walked down to the room and knocked.

"Come in please."

"Mr. McKenna it's a ...." Ariel stopped and looked at the man she had fantasized about. He was even more handsome up close.

"Call me Marcus please." He smiled. She was more beautiful then in his dreams. He was not going to let her go in this life.

"I'm sorry, I don't know came over me. I am Ariel. I was excepting to meet your brother." She held out her hand for him to shake.

He took her hand and he felt a spark between them. Then he frowned. "Harry Why?"

She swallowed and pulled her hand back and looked at it. "I'm not sure really, believe it or not, I teach Lily at the youth center pool. She is one of my minnows. She is very talented. I met you once before during her guppy test."

"I'm sorry I don't remember that. To be honest I've lost some of my memories." He said.

"Oh, I'm sorry. You wanted to host a fundraiser for firefighters to teach fire safety right."

"Yes, I have a friend who makes it his life mission to help firefighters. He suggested I help him this year. How much can we rasie with your help."

"Depending on the starting budget. The best fundraiser is a carnival type. Guarentee to rasie at minimum 10 thousand but can go higher. It would cost your group 2 thousand to put it on. That would be for the props like popcorn booth, dunking tank, games, and my show. Our company will get everything need. The firefighters then would man the booths. It can be opened up to the community or it can be a private event. If you choice the community then you would sale tickets to be used at the booths and shows. A private event you sale tickets to the event and they just walk around and enjoy themself. To be honest the community one rasie more money and is more meaningful to the cause."

"I see. Would you be the one working with me on all this." He smiled.

"No, Kevin our boss is the one with all the know how. I just put on the Mermaid act." She said then could see his disappointment in his eyes.

"Why did you ask for me?" She asked.

He reached for her hand and held it. "Because I had a dream about you and want to see if I can make it real."