The echoed crunch of his soft leather soles on the sand was magnified by the mist. Today, he needed a good catch, there where too many mouths at home, and the thought of another light catch weighted heavy on his mind.
He pushed his little boat into the water and started rowing towards a spot he hadn't been to since his father died. He didn't want to go back, but he knew that the fish would be there.
He got his first net cast before the fog cleared and sat repairing the spare when something knocked the boat. Literally, like a knock on the door. Rap tap tap
He peared over the side of he boat. Behind him he heard a giggle, and then a splash.
"Alright, Misty, get in the boat, ya know its too cold for you to be out here this time of the day"
But looking down in the water he saw her as she past under the boat again. First a blanket of fawn colored hair, and then the tail, which looked black and seal like through the water. His heart hit his throat as her head emerged from the water, much like he'd watched his daughter do many times before.
"Well, Misty is a fine name to be sure, but it does not belong to me" She tease through tawny lips. The playful tone of her voice brought his pulse down to a steady thump, thump bringing his focus from his surprise to her mouth.
She pressed her lips together before she smiled. The crescent of her smile framed her nose like an oyster does a pearl, craddling it lovingly between two rounded checks. His attention moved to her eyes. He was surprise to find that they were grey. For some reason he expected them to be blue, his surprise made him say the word out loud.
"It will turn blue again soon, and you'll have a fine feast tonight"
She dipped back under the tide before her hair had the chance to dry and was gone.
