“More tea?” asked Ella.

“Please,” said the jellyfish.

She poured it a cupful from her silver teapot. “We’re almost out of sugar. Would you go to the store and fetch some more tomorrow?”

“No,” said the jellyfish. It dumped the remaining sugar into its cup and stirred it briskly with a ceramic spoon. The handle said “Memories of Florida” and featured a smiling alligator. It was Ella’s.

The beach was deserted; while tourists flocked to the white, sandy beaches which flanked it on both sides, these rocky shores had proved unappetizing. It was still beautiful, in a more austere way; Ella loved the craggy cliffs and the cold, navy water. It was also a perfect place to meet the jellyfish.

Ella frowned, drizzling honey into her own tea. “Why not? You’re the one who uses most of it.”

The jellyfish splashed a bit in the ocean to show the problem. “Legless.”

“Oh,” said Ella. She blushed at her mistake, as she did every time she made it. “Of course. I’d forgotten. I guess I’m finally used to it.” She stirred her honey with her finger to hide her face. “I suppose I’ll pick it up then.”

Nodding, the jellyfish sank deeper into the water. Reminded of its favorite flavor, the jellyfish poured salt into its tea and sighed with satisfaction as it took another sip. “Perfect.”

Ella shivered. “That is truly disgusting.” She sipped at her drink, inhaling the heady smell of mint. Looking out at the sky, Ella smiled to see Aquarius, her favorite constellation. “Can you believe it’s almost our birthday? I’ve always wanted to be twenty-one. Are you excited?”

The jellyfish lifted one tentacle to poke Ella’s rubber boot. “Time . . .” It shrugged, as if it didn’t matter. Then it perked up. “Cake?”

“I’ll bring you a huge piece,” Ella promised. She hesitated. “Do you still like chocolate?”

“Naturally,” said the jellyfish. It tilted its head at her, an expression that Ella knew well as a conveyal of confusion over the necessity of a question.

“I thought you did, but I wanted to make sure.” She pushed back some of her salt-encrusted hair. “I never know what to say or not to say anymore,” she burst out, fidding with a knot. “I never know if you’re upset or not. It’s so difficult to tell.”

The jellyfish spun its tentacles in the water rapidly, its version of laughter. Bubbles rose in clouds and popped on the surface of the water. “Rough.”

Ella stuck out her tongue. “Oh, shut up. Look, I know you’ve got it worse. But you don’t make it easy for the rest of us.” She frowned, face knotted with concern. “Mom misses you. Why won’t you let her visit?”

“Guilty.” The jellyfish hissed. It spat a little tea into the water, the cup shaking in a quivering tentacle.

Flinching, Ella stared at the distant bonfires of vacationers. “I know. It’s just . . . she’s trying, Jilly. She promised me that this time will be different, and she’s enrolled in this class about taking responsibility—”

The jellyfish looked away as well. “Doormat,” it muttered.

“She didn’t mean to do it, Jilly,” Ella whispered. “And she really is sorry!”

“Ha!” said the jellyfish.

Ella glared at it. “Why can’t you just let it go? You seem happier now! Hell, you don’t have to deal with what I do! Everyday I have to check the whole house to make sure she hasn’t snuck any alcohol in the house. I have to listen to her whine, weather her moods, dodge the stuff she throws at me when I won’t let her go out at night . . . compared to that, maybe tentacles aren’t so bad!”

“Bitch!” The jellyfish threw its teacup at Ella, who ducked with the ease of long practice. It dove into the water, swimming away rapidly, splashing Ella as it did so.

Ella sat on the rock, the tossed cup loose in her hand. She smoothed her thumb over its surface. “Sorry, Sis,” she murmured. Standing, she packed away the tea supplies. She glanced at the ocean once more, hoping to see the jellyfish. There was no sign of it. Walking away, backpack heavy, she clenched her fists. “Why do I always defend Mom to you when I hate her too?”

“Idiot!”

Ella whipped her head around to stare at the water again, but the jellyfish was hiding. “So are you!” she shouted back, joyful. The jellyfish’s tone had been teasing.

“Nuh-uh!” said the jellyfish.

Giggling in relief, Ella waved at the water. “I’ll see you tomorrow! Do you want me to bring anything different for the tea?”

“Vinegar!”

Ella made a gagging noise and headed home.

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