“Come along, children, we don’t want to miss the ferry. I’m sure Kiki will have whipped up something special for you today,” said Mother pushing us out the door.
When I was young, my mother would take my sister and me to visit her great-aunt. Auntie Kiki was not your typical Hungarian aunt.
Kiki lived alone on a small island off the coast, which meant you could not drive a car there. “Come along, children, the ferryman awaits. Time and tide wait for no man,” Mother would say as she corralled us onto the boat.
The short ride to the island was thrilling and over far too soon for my liking. My sister, however, was white-knuckle the entire trip and couldn’t get to dry land fast enough.
“Welcome, children. Please come in and enjoy some fresh creamed soup to help cool you down,” said our great-aunt.
Auntie Kiki always forgot essential facts about her food, and today was no exception. “This soup is stunning. I can’t place the flavor. Is it a sea cucumber?” asked Mother.
“Afraid not, deary, too hot for sea worms. No, these are jellied octopus eggs. I put them up last year before the winter freeze,” replied Kiki.
As I said, she was always leaving out important stuff. My sister turned green on hearing the ingredients and asked to go lie down.
“The ride was a little tough on the girl. You know children, not one of them has sea legs,” said Mother trying to cover my sister’s revulsion for Kiki’s food.
I unfortunately had to suffer through two helpings. It wasn’t bad if you didn’t think about its contents. Leaving my sister behind, we headed to Kiki’s small launch tied at the dock. We sailed about while enjoying the ocean’s cool breeze.
“Is Isaac still around, or has the old duffer retired down in Bermuda?” questioned my mother.
“No, the poor old thing can’t seem to let go of the bay. I told him last week that a five-hundred-year-old sea serpent should not live in this cold water. Hurts the bones,” answered Aunte Kiki.
A large head appeared over the boat’s side. “I see Daniel and Sandy have come for a visit,” said the serpent.
“Hello, Isaac, how are you keeping?” I asked.
“Fine, thank you. Where is Sonya?” asked the serpent.
“She’s not feeling well, so we left her behind,” answered Mother.
“Must of been Kiki’s cooking, no doubt,” said Isaac with a wry smile. Kiki gave the worm a nasty glare and then piloted the craft back into shore.
“There’s Abby by the dock. She has been waiting to tell you something about Terry,” Kiki said to Mother.
“Hello, Abby. How are the twins?” asked Mother.
“All grown and out fishing with their father,” answered the waterman.
Kiki slipped the boat up to the dock while Abby held the line so we could step out without falling into the icy water.
“Danny, please take Kiki up to the house and check on your sister,” said Mother.
My mother sat on the edge of the dock and talked at length with Abby about an old childhood friend. Terry had vanished when both were my age.
“Angus, I have received word about Terry. I’m afraid it is not good,” said Abby.
Abby explained that their friend had been kidnapped years ago and was sold into slavery. After many years, Terry escaped the pirates but died a broken man.
“I’m sorry, Abby. I know you two were very close. If it’s of any value, at least he is sleeping with the fishes now, and we can finally let go of not knowing,” said Agnus.
The two finished their chat, and Abby waved goodbye before ducking under the waves. “Children, it’s time to head back home. I saw the ferry heading our way,” said Agnus.
Each, in their turn, gave a great big hug to Kiki, then they walked to the dock and climbed into the ferry. “We’ll see you in a few weeks,” yelled my mom as the ferryman backed the boat away and turned it back to the mainland.
Years later, while I was away at university, I received word that great-aunt Kiki passed over in her sleep.
Abby and my mother wrapped her in a sailcloth so the watermen could transport her down to the Sea King’s palace. She sleeps with the fishes now.
As for Isaac, he finally retired to Bermuda, where he taunts the passing ships for fun.
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