A Mermaid
Introduction
This is a true story about a real mermaid named Millicent! No one would ever believe it without photos!
I was on a sailing trip from Annapolis, Maryland to the Dominican Republic with Alan and Sue on their 35'
catamaran, Lazy Cat. We were in Florida and anchored for the night just
off the ICW. We were the only boat anchored in the area. The nearest town was
about 10 miles away. The nearest Sea World was at least 200 miles. The real
thing that may only happen once or twice in your life!
I Decided To Go For A Swim
A few manatees and dolphins were swimming near the boat, so I jumped in hoping for one to swim close to me. I swam out towards the channel in about 8' of water when it started...
First my foot touched something about 4' deep and I was glad we didn't hit the big rock on the way in. Then there was a big swirl of water near my arm; maybe a big fish and decided to start back towards the boat. My foot hit something again about 2' deep and it was no rock. I started yelling for Sue or Alan to get a camera swimming back towards the boat!
Next she was floating next to me and once swam up from underneath me where I was half sitting on her. I think she was just curious about this strange creature swimming in her world. It wasn't long before I was touching her for just a second or two.
Alan decided to jump in and join in the fun. Sue said - No Way! Alan decided to name her Millicent.
Sue and I were both worried Millicent might swim away, once she smelled Alan's feet!
After a while, it became apparent Millicent liked to be rubbed either by swimming up against us or by us rubbing her with our hands. On a whim, I asked Sue to hand me a scrub brush. At first, Millicent didn't know what to think about the brush, but it wasn't long before I had a new best friend!
This went on for over an hour and Millicent just kept getting more and more friendly.
Millicent would come up next to me for several minutes at a time so I could scrub her, take a breath and roll over for the belly rub.
Yes, I even scrubbed Millicent's tail! No, my feet don't smell.
Just before dark I got out of the water and Millicent followed me to the swim steps and either wanted me to get back in the water or climb on the boat.
I was about to get back in the water when Sue decided to take over from the swim steps. Sue started out with a 'get to know you rub on the head' and Millicent stayed right there.
Sue still wasn't willing to get in the water, but Millicent didn't seem to mind.
Alan and I could just hear Millicent say - 'OK Sue, time for the belly rub!'
Next morning, Millicent was waiting at the anchor chain hoping I would get back in the water and do some more scrubbing.
One of life's top
10s!!!