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Mermaid Motel

Smuggler’s Hideaway

December 1 st

Hi Ben!

How’s life in your secret location? Do camels really spit or is that a complete lie started by camel haters? Inquiring minds want to know!

Loved the map by the way. If you ever decide to give up this soldier gig, you could start up a side hustle drawing for kindergartners. Ha! Ha!

My life does not include camels or secret locations. Just really annoying parentals – aka Mr. and Mrs. Judgy McJudgerson.

We had a big Sunday lunch at the farm last week. Yes, the farm. I grew up on a farm. My parents raise sheep for wool and milk and also have cranberry fields. Make fun all you want, but the addition of their cranberries in the Buccaneer gin is genius. It adds a hint of fruit flavor and is just plain yummy.

The problem with my parents being farmers is they think their kids should be farmers, too. My brothers are totally fine with this. Thomas and Ian love being farmers. Which is fine. Good for them. They’re living their best lives (and chasing way too many mermaids but that’s a different story).

But us girls – the daughters? None of us wanted to become farmer’s wives. Because that’s all women are good for according to dear old dad.

My oldest sister, Scarlett, actually abandoned Smuggler’s Hideaway for a decade because she refused to be a farmer’s wife. She’s married to a local cop now. It’s a long and overly romantic story.

I thought after Scar confronted Mom and Dad on why she left, they’d let up on their judginess. I thought wrong. According to them, working at a motel is not a ‘real job’ and has ‘no career prospects’.

Instead, I should be dating Warren. It would be a step up from being a receptionist – I’m the manager! – since Warren’s dad owns the stables – Sirens & Saddles. I would never have to worry again if I married him.

UGH! Warren is a bully. He’s the same guy who I put hair removal creme in his shampoo bottle in high school. He hasn’t gotten any better with age. I literally saw him snap a mermaid’s bra strap last week. Grow up already! The idea of dating him – let alone marrying him – makes my skin crawl. No thank you.

But all my parents see and hear is stability with Warren at his stables. Stability? I’ll show them stability when I break a chair over his fat head.

I just realized I’ve spent this entire letter whining and complaining. I promise I’m not usually a whiner or a complainer. I’m a ‘get it done’ person mostly. But my parents get on my last nerve. It’s their job as parents I suppose.

Stay safe,

Sadie

8

Sandbox

December 15 th

Dear Sadie,

You keep mentioning mermaids. I need to know more. Are they real? Did you forget to take your medicine? What’s up? You do know mermaids aren’t real, don’t you?

As far as the stuff about your parents, I hate to say it since I don’t know you that well but are you overreacting? I probably sound harsh but I’d give anything in this world to have judgy parents who actually gave a shit what I do. My dad told me I was dead to him if I joined the military. I haven’t heard from him since I boarded the bus to go to basic training. And, since Mom listens to everything Dad says, I haven’t heard from her either. Do they worry about me? Do they even care if I’m in danger?

Maybe you can talk to your parents. Tell them how you feel. Explain how you’re saving your money to buy the motel. Maybe if they heard you talk about your dreams the way you’ve talked to me about them, they’ll see how you light up with excitement and it may change their minds. It’s worth a try. And definitely tell them there’s no way you’re dating Warren, the bully!

Don’t hate me for interfering. I just want the best for you. I want you to have a family. Families are important.

Okay. Enough preaching from me. I need to sign off before my squad finds me writing you. They already make fun of me enough for keeping your picture in my pocket when we go out on patrol.

Take care, Sadie

Ben

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