THE MERMAID OF ORCHARD BEACH In second grade, my secret fantasy was that one day I would be transformed into a mermaid. I would swim far, far away from the Gun Hill Projects, all the while singing silvery mermaid songs about the sea in an enchanting, melodic voice. In real life, however, I didn't know how to swim, and my singing voice was so off-key that I'd been turned down for the P.S. 41 Glee Club. (excerpt from the short story, THE MERMAID OF ORCHARD BEACH) © Janice Eidus Biography  |  Books  |  Other Works  |  Writing Tutorials  |  Links