1 of 10

Write now Article Tools

There is something about a hot May day in the south that beckons a young high school-er to take the rest of the day off after lunch. Being and average young man with good friends that shared the same out door activities as I, it was not hard to get together and skip school to distract the mind from overkill of learning English. We set up the plan the day before and had all our bait and tackle for a fishing trip at the river. Russ Sims had the jeep his father allowed him to use to go to school. He also brought a twenty five quart cooler to put the fish in if we caught any.

Gary, Russ and I made our sneaky trip through the amphitheater with its over growth of shrubs and old oak trees that concealed our escape from the school grounds. We cautiously looked up the road for the teachers that were on duty to catch school skippers. They took their job seriously and if you were caught by them it led to lengthy study hall time as punishment. Nothing to do in study hall but look out the windows at a beautiful day pass you by. We were lucky on this day and we planned ahead well. No teachers in sight as we clambered into the four wheel drive jeep, started the engine and we were off on our adventure for the day.

Gary and Russ sat in the front seats with Russ driving and I sat in the back narrow seat with the cooler and bait behind me. We entered the hunting club road that lead down into the river bottoms and came upon the gate that completely blocked the road for entry. Russ had lifted the key from his fathers key chain the night before and soon the gate was open and we locked the gate behind us once we were through. No one would surprise us this day. We were determined to have a relaxing day pulling fish into the boat.

The five mile dirt road to the hunting club was surrounded by sage fields and brier beds along both sides. A hot May sun rained down on us and all seemed good with the world until Russ saw a rattle snake laying in the road sunning itself. Russ was a notorious snake catcher and he and a other friend had a snake pit back at his home. They sold the snakes to commercial handlers for their meat and made good money doing it during the summer months when out of school.

Russ slammed on the brakes and the jeep slided to a stop. He quickly jumped from the drivers seat and grabbed his two pronged stick from the back of the jeep where I sat. I could only think how crazy this was for him to catch a snake that was as big around as a mans arm. The I though about where

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Short stories: Skipping school?
We want to hear your view. Write now!