Of Different Waters

“Shit, Becca,” John sighed, raking a hand through his hair, “I knew this would happen one day.” His eyes locked on the resting form of their son. All their careful avoidance of salt water ruined by an aquarium.

“God,” he exhaled, “that was the worst thing I’ve ever experienced. I really thought… thought he was gonna…” John swallowed thickly unable to finish his thought. For a second he really thought Ronan would die down there; that the man who had told them those unbelievable things about their son had been wrong and he’d be gone. But…

Ronan was fine.

He was under the water for a good twenty minutes with absolutely no ill effects.

Rebecca choked on a sob. ’I feel like we’re gonna lose him anyway.”

Her husband gave her a quizzical look. “How so?” He opened his arms to embrace her and smiled softly when she clung to him grateful for his comfort.

“Well, you remember how I found him? What that man said and how we’ve never let him near the ocean because of that?” John nodded. How could he forget?

“Now that he’s had a taste of it, I don’t think he’ll want to stay on land. I don’t think he’ll be able to stay on land. I mean he had gills for Christ’s sake! He’s changing.”

John let the heavy words sink in before asking, “What are you saying exactly?”

She looked him straight in the eyes, “I’m saying that I don’t think Ronan is coming home with us at the end of this vacation.” She started sobbing and buried her head into John’s shoulder. He just rocked her as she cried, trying to remain strong for the both of them.

He had known this day would come, but he had hoped it wouldn’t come so soon. He couldn’t imagine life without his son.

Losing his little Sea Monkey.

He just hoped Rebecca was wrong about her premonition, even as she feared she was right. He didn’t want to lose his son.