Between Land and Sea by Joanne Guidoccio Read Free Book Online Page A

going out for almost two months now. Our relationship is a comfortable one.”
    “Is that enough for you? In spite of all that has happened, you are still a Bella. You need and deserve passion.”
    Annabella had briefed Lisa738 very well. Barbara chose her words carefully. “It is enough for right now. He may not be the man of my dreams. I thought I had that with Andrew, and you know how that turned out.”
    “That was only one experience and, from what I gather, your only experience with human males. They are not all like that. There are handsome, dynamic men out there who—”
    “Like Paul Armstrong?”
    “I made it clear it to you that he is off limits. I cannot discuss—”
    “I know who he is, and I know that Belinda is my mother.”
    Lisa738’s eyes widened and she gasped. “I must go now.” She faded into the screen.
    Barbara’s head was still throbbing, but she felt a strong sense of satisfaction. She was certain that Lisa738 would seek out Annabella and share the details of this conversation with her. Barbara wanted her grandmother to know what she had discovered about her mother. Let Annabella stew for a while.
    Barbara rubbed her temples. This is my first human headache and I don’t like it . She took two Tylenols and went immediately to bed. She made a mental note to always contact Lisa738 in the evenings. She could not afford to be this disoriented during the day.
    “Wake up, Isabella! Wake up!” Barbara heard a familiar voice from her mermaid past.
    Barbara sat up and looked directly into the eyes of her grandmother who was floating above the night table. “Grandmother! What are you doing here? I thought we wouldn’t see each other again.”
    “That was my intention, but I had to come, especially after hearing about your recent conversation with Lisa738.”
    Barbara glanced at the alarm clock and groaned. Four a.m. “You couldn’t wait until later in the morning?”
    “As a mermaid, you could stay up all night.”
    “Have you forgotten that I lost my tail and got this aging human body instead?”
    Annabella tensed. “You’re still bitter about your circumstances.”
    Barbara was fully awake by now. “About those circumstances, Grandmother, why did you decide to give me the body of an older woman? And please don’t tell me that it was unavoidable. I know that Gillian and Belinda retained their looks and I’m willing to bet that Kendra did as well.”
    “I was very angry with you, much angrier than I was with any of the others,” Annabella said. “Mirabella was a major disappointment. As for the others, I didn’t really care.”
    “You cared so much about me that you decided to make my human life as difficult as possible.”
    “It saddens me to see so much anger inside you. It’s not healthy, and it will harm your human body and mind.” Annabella brushed away a tear.
    Barbara had never seen her grandmother cry. She didn’t even think that was possible.
    “I’ve been following your progress through Lisa738,” Annabella said. “I’m very pleased and proud of what you have accomplished so far. You have transformed those drab looks and are flourishing here in Carden. You have found a good man in Graham and you are surrounded by supportive friends and colleagues.” Annabella paused. “Think carefully before you make any major changes like leaving Carden. That impulsive nature of yours could get you into trouble again.”
    “You want me to bury myself in this backwater town? It wasn’t good enough for Mirabella, but it’s the best I can do? Is that how little you think of me, Grandmother?”
    “You are blinded by your anger toward me and Mirabella. That anger is controlling all your actions. Let it go, Isabella. Let it go.”
    Barbara threw up her hands. “Let that go and do what? Give up my writing ambitions? Marry Graham and devote my life to preparing Martha Stewart meals?”
    “You don’t have to give up your writing. You are using your storytelling abilities, and I