The Lorelei, Part Two
By Lorelei Kay, High Desert Branch
Check out the previous edition of socalwritersshowcase.com to read Part One.
Not many years later, I climb up on his lap, place my arms around his neck and ask, “Daddy, how did you and Mommy choose my name?”
We settle back in his big chair. He puts his rough chin up close to my ear and shares the magical tale of the Lorelei.
“Oh no, Daddy!” I say, “You named me after a fish lady? A naked fish lady? How could you name me after a mermaid?” I feel a flush creep across my cheeks. After all, I’ve seen pictures of half-naked mermaids.
He grins, a distant look comes into his eyes, and I get no more out of him.
As I grow older, my embarrassment continues to rise as I see pictures of the Lorelei brimming with raw sexuality. I soon discover that mermaids are rarely, if ever, modest. Mormons aren’t keen on being naked – my folks had taught me better than that. Even as a child, especially a good Mormon child, I know no good can come from all that “s” stuff — sex, sensuality, seduction.
My Mormon heritage runs deep. More than one hundred and fifty winters ago, my foremothers yoked themselves to the upstart new faith and bravely trudged behind pioneer husbands on the long trek across wind- and snow-driven plains to the valley of the Great Salt Lake.
My entrance to the valley, however, proved less dramatic, although I did arrive in Provo, Utah, naked and crying. That long-ago December day in 1946 brought a Christmas snow that swaddled in white the Brigham Young University campus where both my parents were students.
The prolific Lorelei Kay has contributed
in many genres to socalwritersshowcase.com.
Visit her website, frommormontomermaid.com.