OVERFALLS (The Merworld Water Wars, Book 2) (34 page)

“Oh my,” said Mom. “If the doctor is going to partake in traditional Normal celebrations, he’s going to bring it all out, isn’t he?”

“Birthdays aren’t known to merps, so this is a pretty unique thing for us,” said Troy.

“And I don’t think we’ve ever had a Normal-style Thanksgiving,” said Airianna.

“Plus, Doctor Tenly just isn’t known for being understated,” I added.

“Understated? What’s that?” said Troy in his best Doctor Tenly voice.

Troy and Airianna helped Mom carry all the Thanksgiving fixings into the manor, while I grabbed her purse, Spritz, and our birthday presents for Trey. Troy, Airianna, Benji, and Bobby and all of the Normals pitched in to get Trey’s presents. Thanks to Mom and Mrs. Waterberry, we were able to get them at allowance-friendly prices.

“Welcome! Happy Thanksgiving-Birthday!” Doctor Tenly had on a pilgrim hat with a patch of streamers sticking out the top.

“Nice hat. Very Mayflower meets clown. Love your decorations,” I said, setting Spritz down.

“Yeah, they’re all right. I don’t think I did enough, though. Be back. Going to help Tree and Camille in the kitchen.”

“You’ll only get under Tree’s skin and Mom’s feet,” I said, but he waved me off. “Well, he’ll be back in less than ten seconds.”

“Happy Turkey Day, Savior.”

“Happy Thanksgiving, Jex. Glad you decided to come.”

“Yeah, well…haven’t had one of these in years. Thought it might be nice.”

Doctor Tenly walked back up the hall. “Got yelled at.”

“Tried to tell ya,” I said, before a loud commotion caught my ear.

Up the hall from the study, I heard Ophelia shout, “You offended her. Honestly, why don’t you just keep your mouth shut?”

“What’s going on?” I asked Jex.

“Big row. Polly thought Maile was Native American.”

“Maile’s Polynesian,” I said.

“Yeah, well, Polly believes Polynesians have fake powers and prefers to think of her as Native American, since, according to her, they have real powers. Need I say more?”

“Not a syllable. Where are they? Polly has a tendency to keep spewing until someone gets hit or someone relents and agrees with her. Two guesses what happens most often.”

“Dining room. Follow me.” Jex led the way to the dining room, which was just a couple of doors down from the study.

The dining room was something out of a fairy tale. Warm and inviting, the cream-colored room featured no less than five sea-themed tapestries hanging over archways framed by twisting columns; the sweeping, U-shaped table sparkled atop a beautiful hardwood floor with a medallion inlay.

Maile, sporting her special day-sight glasses and carrying a drawer of utensils, swept through the swinging café door separating the kitchen from the dining room. “It would be better if you left me alone. Oh! Hi Marina! Happy Thanksgiving!”

“Hey Maile…”

“All I’m saying is that Polynesian powers are a myth, that’s all,” said Polly, following Maile around the table.

“Marina, please help me. I know she doesn’t really know what she’s saying, but I’m about to sock the hell out of her,” said Maile.

“Polls, you need to back off. Of all days, this isn’t the one to be you,” I said.

“I don’t know why she’s so offended. Myths are good things. It means your people
may
have hidden magic. Honestly, what’s so non-politically correct about that?”

“First off, you never said it like
that
, Polly,” said Maile, angrily shaking a fork at her. “You said, and I quote, ‘Polynesians are pretend. Native Americans are real. You should change your group.’ End quote.”

Polly tried to keep a straight face, but couldn’t. “I’m sorry…it’s just how can I possibly take you seriously when you’re wearing those ridiculous circus glasses?”

“MARINA!” shouted Maile.

“Polls, let’s go finish watching the dog show. Spritz is pulling for the Toy Group. Come on. Now.”

“I am right, you know,” said Polly as we walked back to the study to watch television. “Polynesian magic is purely fictional.”

“Actually, you’re entirely wrong,” said Jex. “Both Polynesians and Native Americans hold very powerful, very distinctive magical abilities.”

“You stink. Take a shower.” Polly marched over to Meikle, who was cuddling with Spritz.

“Everything okay?” Troy asked, putting his arm around me.

“Just your average Thanksgiving argument over not-so-average topics.”

We curled up and finished watching the dog show, the first football game, and the first quarter of the game we’ve been waiting for all day.

“Turkey time, everyone! In the dining room!” called Mom.

“Dear God, not while the 'Boys are playin’, Mom! The game’s on! We can’t miss the damn game!” I shouted.

“My girlfriend, ladies and gentlemen,” said Troy, exceedingly proud of my sports-related outburst.

“Just get in the dining room, young lady,” said Mom reprovingly.

I grabbed Trey’s presents and stomped and groaned all the way to the dining room (yes, it was very immature), only to find Doctor Tenly smiling at a large universal television showing the game.

“Food, family, and football. I’m in heaven,” I said.

“I had it hiding behind one of the tapestries. This sport called football is very exciting,” said Doctor Tenly. “Now, what does it mean when they slap each other’s butts?”

“Now, there’s a loaded question,” said Jex, pulling out a chair next to me. “Little unnerved by the turkey feathers on the tops of the chairs, Maile.”

“Sorry. I thought they’d be a neat touch,” said Maile, pushing her glasses up her nose. “Now that I think about it…it’s sort of morbid.”

We all laughed as Mom, Treeva, and Airianna brought out loads of Thanksgiving’s finest foods. Doctor Tenly carved his very first turkey, laughing and pointing at various parts of the bird the whole time. Just as we were about to say the blessing, Gully glided into the dining room.

“Look who’s here! Mrs. Waterberry, Mr. Gibbs, and Bobby!”

“Hi Eva! Glad you could make it,” said Mom. “Fletcher.” Mr. Gibbs kissed my mom on the cheek and sat down next to her.

“Good to be here. Very hungry,” said Mrs. Waterberry. “But, uh, we didn’t come alone.” She turned and pointed to a string of large bubbles following her into the dining room.

The bubbles landed in our hands, the subtle sound of Christmas music drifting from within. When they popped, water dripped through our fingers, only to freeze into the shape of a snowflake on our plates. Written delicately on the snowflakes were the words:
Come and be merry with the fishes and we, the undines, partying under the sea, where this year’s Christmas Ball will be on December twenty-three! Be on the beach behind the library at nine-thirty! Please note: ulva not required
.

“Well, well, they’re getting an early start,” said Doctor Tenly. “They must have something spectacular in store!”

“I hope there are creatures,” said Gully.

“This means I can make more dresses!” said Maile, clapping.

“Sweetheart, don’t you think you’re taking on too much?” asked Mom.

Maile shook her head. “Not at all. I love designing and making clothes. It’s a stress reliever for me.”

“Bobby, I thought you were having dinner with your folks,” said Airianna.

Bobby nodded. “I was. Father had the cook make a magnificent eel-squid feast with all the trimmings, including shark skin. Unfortunately, Mother found out the cook used squeezed shark skin instead of shredded.”

“What’s the difference?” asked Trey.

“Squeezed is the generic form of shark skin. Shredded is much fancier and, more importantly, has half the amount of fat. Anyway, Mother tossed the entire meal out of her bubble efficient porthole.”

Oh, please don’t laugh. Please don’t laugh. “I’m so…sorry, Bobby.”

“Yes, it was quite excruciating.”

“Bobby, shark skin is a garnish. What difference does it make which type was used?” said Benji.

“Mother read in Saturday’s Scorblowgen’s Scroll that shark skin has many benefits, including burning excess stomach fat.”

“Your mom is absurd,” said Polly.

“Polly!” I growled.

“Was she off her meds?” asked Polly. “OUCH!” I kicked her under the table.

“Well, she has so many, it’s hard to say,” said Bobby in all seriousness.

“Okay, then…who’d like to say the blessing?” said Mom.

“I’d like the opportunity to redeem myself,” said Polly.

I tried to subtly detour Mom from that dead end, but she didn’t catch on.

“I think that’s very considerate, Polly,” said Mom.

“This should be interesting,” said Troy.

“Or unfortunate,” I said.

Polly cleared her throat. “Thank you for our extremely full table of properly cooked food, our friends, even the one with the feathers that I hate, and the large television, so Marina doesn’t lose her mind and drive me crazy over missing the tight butts running around on a field. I’d also like to thank you for allowing us to survive the first match, although I’d trade survival for a win.”

“This is better than Auntie Bethany’s blessing,” said Jex.

“I’d also like to thank you in advance for making Maile understand that I meant no offense,” Polly continued. Maile smiled a little. “And I’d also ask that you convince her to change her group to the one with real magical power and not the fake, fashioned—”

“AMEN!” I said.

“Amen!” everyone shouted.

“Hey, Doc, did you ever figure out who the witch was casting all those cunning curses on the shops?” asked Jex.

With her mouth full of corn, Meikle said, “Was it Helena?”

Doctor Tenly’s jaw clenched. “No, not Madame Helena. I do know who the witch is…she’s someone I thought died many years ago.”

“We’re not talking shop today, okay?” Treeva added very quickly.

“Sounds good to me,” I said, and everybody agreed.

We ate, laughed, talked, and tried to cheer our team to another Thanksgiving Day win, but they came up short, missing the field goal in the last seconds.

“Now, I know we usually have pie for dessert on Thanksgiving, but since we’re celebrating another special event today…” Mom ran into the kitchen. “Happy Birthday, Trey!” said Mom, walking back into the dining room with one of her homemade chocolate layer cakes. Eighteen candles surrounded a bouncing, clapping seal figure in the center of the cake. After we did the traditional birthday singsong, Mom said, “Mrs. Waterberry added the seal!”

“Consider it my silly gift to you, Trey,” said Mrs. Waterberry.

“I love it, and the cake. Thank you both,” said Trey, blushing.

“Make a wish,” said Airianna, squeezing her hands together.

“Don’t need to, really,” he said shyly. “My wish has already come true.” Airianna rested her head on his shoulder.

“By the way, I was sorry to hear about the Tharnossa curse, Airianna,” said Bobby.

“We don’t talk about that, Bobby,” said Trey.

“It’s all right, Trey,” said Airianna, placing her hand on his. “Thank you, Bobby. That’s very considerate of you to say.”

Staring at his lap, Bobby said, “I’m stunned your father would do such a thing.”

“So was I,” said Airianna. “Well, let’s not make sad talk! We’re about to have cake…and presents!”

“I’ve got them right here,” I said, reaching around the back of my chair. I handed everyone their gift to give to Trey. “We all coordinated our gifts.”

“Not me. I didn’t get you anything. I didn’t care, really,” said Jex.

“This one is from the adults in the room,” said Mom, glaring at Jex as Treeva handed Trey his first present.

He ripped it open and had instant ‘wow’ face. “A new silver chain!”

“Since you, um, have the tendency to give yours away to help protect someone, we thought you deserved a spare. Now, we can protect you,” said Airianna.

“I don’t know what to say,” said Trey. “Thank you.”

“Ours first,” said Polly, tossing the box at him.

“That’s from Polly, Meeks, Gully, and Maile,” said Mom.

“Nice. A leaf charm, Thanks!”

“We wanted to find something that depicted a man blowing, but we couldn’t,” said Gully.

Seriously, you could hear a freaking pine needle hit the floor right now.

“This is one of those rare occasions when I don’t have to add a thing,” said Jex, crossing his arms, smiling.

“Um…what?” said Trey.

“Wind,” said Maile, staring at Gully completely dumbfounded. “We wanted to find one of those faces where a guy is making a big gust of wind with his mouth, since you turn into wind and all.”

“Oh, right, yeah,” Trey muttered. “Think I like the leaf better. And wind likes leaves, so…”

“Oh, good, we were worried,” said Gully, staring at the ceiling. “Ooh! Be back!” She popped up and skipped out of the room.

“Wow,” said Troy. “Could she have made that any easier?”

“I’m proud of you all for staying contained,” said Mom.

“It was all I could do,” said Doctor Tenly.

“I didn’t want to be grouped with her,” Polly quickly clarified.

Airianna handed Troy his next present. “This one is from Benji, Bobby, and me.”

When Trey saw the charm, he squeezed it in his hand. “A water drop.”

“You saved our beloved Airianna. We wanted to thank you appropriately,” said Bobby stuffily.

“Man, what you did to rescue her from the Imperia…you deserve a lot more,” Benji added. “Airi found it. We chipped in to help her get it for you, so it’s really from her.”

Airianna’s cheeks flushed pink. “See? Now you’ll have a part of me with you all the time.”

Trey whispered an “I love you” in her ear.

“Gettin’ mushy, folks,” said Jex with a big sigh.

“Okay, our turn!” I said. “The one in the blue pouch is from Troy and me.”

“Yeah, the green pouch is a gag gift from me alone,” said Troy, smirking.

Opening the box, Trey removed the blue pouch first. “A seal charm. You’re too much, Squiggle. I love it. Thanks, guys.”

Doctor Tenly started choking on his drink. “Sorry. Wrong pipe.”

“Wait until you see Troy’s,” I said, watching Treeva frown at Doctor Tenly.

Trey raised his eyebrows when he saw the contents of the green pouch. “It’s the letter ‘F.’”

“Yep. You
f
arted on my hand in your seal form, and I’ve called you a fu—something starting with that letter more than once,” said Troy.