21. Chapter 21
Mermaid Motel
Smuggler’s Hideaway
Dear Ben,
I’m not waiting for you out of some sort of weird obligation, you big doofus!
I’m waiting for you because I want to. Because I want you.
And you’re worth waiting for. Don’t say I feel obligated again or I won’t give you the gold medal I had made for you for winning the Sock Slide Championships.
(Are there pictures? Please say there are pictures!)
I arrived back at Smuggler’s Hideaway straight into chaos.
It’s Mermaid Karaoke Season, which means the island is packed to the brim with tourists.
Mermaids trying to hook a smuggler and smugglers trying to bang a mermaid.
Thank goodness the local billionaire and the local football hero are in committed relationships.
There are only so many times I can lead a mermaid astray as to where a former football god is before they catch onto how unhelpful I’m being.
And now rumor has it an NFL team is planning to spend their off-season training here. The mermaids’ ovaries are going to explode if that’s true. Maybe I should already get a t-shirt made. ‘If you don’t want to drive into the ocean, don’t ask me where they’re at.’
The big news is the owners of the Mermaid Motel contacted me.
They’re ready to sell. I don’t have near enough money saved up for a down payment.
I think I need to ask my parents for help.
I hate to ask them but what if someone else buys the motel?
I can’t stand the idea of losing my chance to fulfill my dream.
Am I crazy? I’m not even twenty-seven yet.
My birthday’s coming up – hint hint. I shouldn’t be worrying about buying a motel.
I should be off exploring the world. Spoiler alert – I have no desire to explore the world.
I’m happy on Smuggler’s Hideaway. I couldn’t think of any place else in the world where I’d rather live.
I’ve enclosed the latest clipping about Mermaid Karaoke. Read it and you’ll understand why I don’t want to leave!
I can’t wait to show you the place. But no pressure. I can wait, although it turns out classes on learning to be patient isn’t a thing. There’s definitely a hole in the market there.
Please be safe. No more getting shot! I worry about you.
And don’t say I shouldn’t. It’s my right and privilege to worry.
I think I have the entire island worried.
Since I rushed out of here like I was a smuggler with the police on my tail, everyone knows the truth about the ‘letters’.
I thought Dad would freak but all he did was grumble, ‘soldier, good choice’ and then grunt. I think he approves???
I need to sign off. Cora – she’s the postmaster for the island – is tapping her toe and pointing at the clock. She also says hi. As does everyone else on the island.
Be safe Ben,
Love, Your Sadie