Let’s go home and take care of Naira. Thayde’s thoughts swirled about my head.
“We’re going back home. My sister needs to be allowed to die with some amount of dignity.”
My friends nodded in agreement. Thayde’s hands took my waist and, spiraling upward, he shot full speed to the surface.
CHAPTER SIX
THE PASSING
I don’t want to let my sister go. She’s too young and hasn’t led a full life yet. I’ve seen her as an adult. She’s beautiful and smart and full of life. Why does she have to go now, before she has even experienced living? I don’t ask for much and you already know my heart’s desires. You know what’s best for me, for my family, for everyone, but I don’t understand this. Maybe I’m not meant to understand. Maybe this is about her understanding instead. Why can’t I stop this? Why can’t I make all this better? Why won’t you allow her to live?
Tammer gently set Naira into the bathtub’s healing gel, allowing her to slide underwater. The air from her lungs rushed to the surface in one big bubble as she automatically made the shift to breathing underwater on her own. Her golden hair floated up around her body like spun silk and she phased into her strange colored magenta and turquoise tail.
Our family members stood on the edge of Tammer and Mom’s bath. Tammer’s best friend, David, and his daughters Tiesa and Fallyn stood with Ezen, Vitahl, Thayde, Shirley, Aletheia, Lars and Hadassah. We hadn’t asked Gavran and Flynn to witness Naira’s passing. Instead, we asked them to help with the arrangements and they were more than willing, which had come somewhat as a surprise. Vitahl provided the food on his own, bringing several trays full of beautifully catered appetizers. The grey circles under his eyes reflected how tired and sad we all felt.
Mom and Tammer stood in the bath next to Naira and me. I motioned for them to lie on the bottom of the tub and we submerged, phasing at the same time. I didn’t have to look at Mom and Tammer to know they were ready for limbo.
Relaxing my body as I closed my eyes, I waited, readying myself for the difficult conversion. However, the transition was almost immediate. It was as if the water was a conductor for it, making it much easier than it had been in Naira’s room. When I opened my eyes, we were floating near the surface, faces down, looking at our bodies.
“Good heavens!” Mom’s eyes were as round as sand dollars.
“Where is she?” Tammer looked for Naira.
I scanned the large pool-like tub to no avail; Naira was not there. Moments later, a pair of large, extremely muscled arms reached through the water, took a hold of my arms, and pulled me out. I steadied myself on the edge of the marble before looking up at Paul David.
“Hello Paul,” I said and he looked a little embarrassed.
“I’m sorry if I scared you. Naira said to just lift you out.”
Naira wiggled her fingers at me in a little wave. She sat next to me, curled on the side, her tail tucked neatly underneath her.
“Hi Morgan. Mom and Dad coming?” She asked.
They surfaced within arm’s reach, their mouths open in shock as they saw Naira for the first time as a woman. Mom grabbed Tammer’s arm, steadying herself.
“Naira?” Tammer breathed and a nervous smile broke across her pretty face.
“Hi Daddy,” she said.
“Baby!” Mom tore from Tammer and threw herself at her daughter, embracing her and whispering through tears. The two continued to speak quietly to one another as Tammer made his way to me.
“How long do we have?” Tammer swallowed the lump in his throat. Tears poured down his cheek and I found myself looking away to give him some sort of privacy. I focused on Paul.
“A few minutes,” he answered.
“That’s all?” Tammer tore his gaze from his wife and daughter to face Paul. He held his hand to him. “You’re the man my daughter is in love with,”
Paul shook Tammer’s hand briefly before continuing. “I wish you had more time, but a little time is better than none.” He looked to the floor, his tone heavy with meaning.
“Daddy?” Naira swam to Tammer, pulling herself into his arms. “I’m sorry, Daddy.” She sniffed.
“For what, sweetheart?” He wrapped his arms around her.
“I’ve always known I was different. I love Paul. I wish there was another way.”
Mom drew next to me, taking my arm in hers for the first time since being in McCall. We watched Tammer close his eyes and drop his head onto Naira’s shoulder, his shoulders shaking.
“She’s more beautiful than I imagined,” Mom whispered to me. “Are you really telling me there’s nothing you can do?”