Son of a Mermaid by Katie O'Sullivan Read Free Book Online Page B

looks older than Gramma , thought Shea. And that faded dress must mean she shares Gramma’s obsession with bleach . “I’m sorry, ma’am,” he said. “I think my dog chased your cat up the tree.”
    “Well, get him out,” the old lady told him, nodding her head with each word, the loose grey curls on her head bobbling in agreement.
    Lucky thumped his tail on the ground in agreement, and Shea sighed. He turned to the oak tree, and looked up at the orange cat. The animal stared back down at him. “What’s the cat’s name?”
    “Gingersnap,” the woman replied, scuffing her furry slippers down the graveled walkway. The cat looked at his owner and mewed loudly.
    “Gingersnap,” Shea called softly. “C’mere.” He held up his arms. The cat looked down on him with disdain. Make me , he could practically hear it thinking.
    The woman cocked her head to one side. “You must be Martha’s grandson,” she said, nodding. “You have that MacNamara look about you. I’m Ann McFadden, a friend of Martha’s.”
    “Nice to meet you, ma’am,” he said, still looking up at the cat.
    “You’ll need to climb up there. Gingersnap can never get down by himself.”
    “Has this happened before?” Shea circled the tree looking for a way up. There was a broken branch on the other side to grab onto. The oak’s bark was thick and rough, offering a good grip for his bare feet against the trunk. He grabbed the stubby branch with both hands and started to pull himself up.
    “I usually call the police department, and they send over a cruiser, especially when Mr. McFadden is out at sea like he is today,” she said. “The police aren’t busy in the off-season, and Officer Tandy is such a sweetheart. I was good friends with his mother, God rest her soul.”
    “Officer L. Tandy?” Shea swung his legs up to the higher branch toward the front of the tree. The cat eyed him warily, but didn’t climb any further.
    “Do you know Leslie?” Mrs. McFadden asked with a smile. “The Tandy family used to live over on Sea Lane. He took your mother out for ice cream a few times, but I think she was trying to make young Tommy jealous.”
    Shea smirked at the officer’s name, Leslie. Wasn’t that a girl’s name? Then the rest of the old woman’s words sunk in. “You knew my parents?”
    “Of course, dear. Mr. McFadden and I have lived here forever,” she said, patting her curls. “I remember when your grandparents moved into the neighborhood.” She paused. “I am sorry to hear about your father. Such a shame. Such a good boy he was.”
    Shea swallowed the lump in his throat. “And my mom? You knew her family too?”
    Mrs. McFadden shook her head. “Never met the family, really, just your mom and one of her friends. She said her father traveled a lot, for business or some such. I still see her friend in the neighborhood occasionally, when she visits Martha to have tea. But I heard your mother had to go into the family business, so I assume she’s the one traveling now.”
    “But Gramma has tea with Mom’s friend? When…”
    Just then, the cat yowled loudly. “Young man,” Mrs. McFadden said, putting her hands on her hips. “Can we please focus on getting Gingersnap out of this awful situation?”
    “Yes, ma’am.” He pulled himself up all the way onto the low branch, and sat still for a moment, letting the cat get used to his presence before reaching over to gently pet him. The cat started to purr.
    “That’s the same way Leslie does it.” Mrs. McFadden nodded approvingly as Shea picked up the animal and held it with both arms against his chest. He jumped down and handed the cat to its owner. The woman snuggled the orange furball against her cheek. The cat closed his eyes and continued to purr. “Now, young man, how did you come to meet Leslie?”
    Shea shrugged his shoulders, feeling his cheeks burn a little at the memory of being caught breaking the law. “Lucky and I were on the beach yesterday talking to this