Free Tangled Tides (The Sea Monster Memoirs) by Karen Amanda Hooper

Yara
in pink icing. We had eaten the "
day
." Fitting, because a few short minutes were all I had left with my uncle.
    "Uncle Lloyd, I have to go somewhere for a few days."
    The wrinkles around his eyes deepened and multiplied as he slid his fork out of his mouth. A bit of frosting clung to his bottom lip. "The birthday getaway?"
    "Kind of."
    "Well, enjoy yourself, but be careful."
    That was it? No more questions? "Don't you want details?"
    "You're more responsible than most adults I know. I trust you."
    "Wow. Okay." All that worrying for nothing. My allotted twenty minutes were almost up. "I hate to eat and run, but I have to get going."
    "I understand." He pushed back his seat, chair legs squeaking across the tile floor. He didn't seem worried at all. "Both boats held up well during the storm. You're welcome to take either one."
    The boats. Right. He would definitely question where I went if I didn't take a boat. Had Treygan considered that in his ridiculous plan? "Guess I'll take mine. Better gas mileage," I added nervously.
    He kissed the top of my head and set our plates in the sink. "You've outgrown Eden's Hammock. It's a big, fantastic world out there, kiddo. Go explore it."
    I didn't want to explore. I wanted to stay here and take care of him, but he seemed anxious for me to leave. How long had he felt this way? What if something happened to me? What if I never came back from Mermaid World? Wouldn't he miss me? The thought of never seeing Uncle Lloyd or Eden's Hammock again made my eyes burn as I fought back tears. "You're going to take good care of yourself while I'm gone, right?" He nodded. "Say you promise."
    "I promise." His promises were worth more than gold.
    My throat tightened and my new necklace felt like it was suffocating me. I reached up to adjust it, but the stone was so warm that I clenched it in my hand, pressing the heat into my palm.
    Suddenly, another feeling rushed through me. Comfort or safety, followed by a flash of a forgotten childhood memory: Treygan's blue eyes staring into mine as I coughed up water from my burning lungs. The image was so clear.
    How could I have forgotten?
    He had cradled me in his arms while I stared up at a black, starry sky. He looked younger, unafraid, caring. His warm fingers wiped away the tears running down my cheeks. Then he swam so fast, carrying me through the cold water. He kept promising me everything would be okay, that I was safe. He was so … different.
    I sprang up and gave Uncle Lloyd a quick hug. "I have to go! I love you."
    "I love you too," he shouted as the front door slammed shut behind me.
    I took off running toward my house. I couldn't get back to Treygan fast enough.
     
     
    E den's Hammock had seen its share of death and despair. It contained more secrets than the gorgon grotto. The ominous energy in Yara's house—though years old—made my head spin, so I retreated to the porch for fresh air.
    We practically collided with each other. "Yara, what's wrong?"
    Struggling to catch her breath, she managed to gasp out, "It was you." She bent forward, bracing her hands on her knees. "Why didn't you tell me?"
    "What are you talking about?"
    "That night …." More panting and bobbing her head. "You … saved my life."
    I said nothing. Merfolk cannot lie, but we always have the option to remain silent. She couldn't be referring to
that
night. She couldn't remember. I had made sure of it.
    When her breathing steadied, she stood straight. "Why?"
    "Why what?"
    "A million whys! Why didn't you say anything? Why did you let me call you all those names and be so mean to you? And why didn't I remember you saving my life until a few minutes ago?" She stepped closer and I held my breath. "The night my mother died, you saved me from drowning. It was you, wasn't it?"
    I couldn't claim that I didn't know what she was referring to. Not one sunset had gone by when I didn't think of
that night
. How could she remember it? I froze that memory minutes after it