Octocass

One day, a walked into a cafe and smelled a heady combination of coffee and salt water. “Hmmmm,” I said, “the coffee I get, but how come I smell the ocean, too?” Then I felt what I thought (no…KNEW, really) was a tentacle on my shoulder.

Catching my breath, I spun around and came face to face with the most beautiful, otherworldly creature. She didn’t have any tentacles (none that I could see anyway), but I’m sure the expression on my face was priceless. I recovered my composure, we became fast friends, and a bit of time travel brings us to where we are now.

I never did ask her about “the tentacle”, and I never did shake the feeling that she’s not entirely of this world. I guess that’s what makes me love her just a little more; the thought that someday her big tide might come in and she might unfurl herself and glide away.

If that day ever comes, I’ll close my eyes and think back to that day at the cafe so long ago. I’ll smell the ocean breeze and feel her tentacle on my shoulder again, and wish her luck (and love, always love) on her journey.

But for now, I’m just going to hope that Steve Zissou never finds out where she lives.