by Steven Chevalia

Created on: July 10, 2009   Last Updated: July 28, 2009

The small boat rocked back and forth as Todd's hulking form bent down to pull the oars and push the boat through the water. Each time his oars dove into the water they created small waves that went out into the darkness. Todd bent down and put all his concentration and strength into pushing the oars, propelling the boat forward. He was traveling at a decent speed now, without using the oars. Todd put the oars in the boat and sat straight, letting his back crack as he did.

Todd looked out into the dark of the lake and wondered if there was anyone else out as early as he was. He doubted it. No one gets up early these days, he thought.

He picked up a small styrofoam cup and opened the plastic lid which had small holes punched through it. Fifty night crawlers trying to wiggle their way to the top of the cup, as if wanting to get tossed into the lake than stay in the cramped cup. Todd ignored the worms and sifted around the styrofoam cup for a few moments before coming out with a small piece of a chicken hotdog.

Todd set the line and cast it into the vast, empty lake. He smiled. This is what he treasured about life: the small moments. Waking up before dawn to go out and cast a line or two. As he sat, waiting for the first nibble, jerking the string around and watching the bobber to make sure it wasn't pulled under, he began humming to himself. He couldn't remember the name of the song, it was by Don McLean, he knew that much.

As the minutes passed Todd moved from American Pie to his favorite Simon and Garfunkle song, The Sound of Silence. He sang the lyrics to this one, instead of just humming.

Todd felt a tug at the line.

The red and white bobber went under for a second and he began to reel in the fish. It was a big one, and put up a struggle. Catfish already? Todd wondered, taking a quick, hopeful glance at his portable stove equipment on the bench behind him. He pulled on the line, while reeling it in, and was rewarded with the sight of a catfish jumping out of the water and sailing closer and closer to Todd.

The catfish was under the boat when Todd pulled on the line itself and was rewarded with the seven-and-a-half pound catfish. Todd put the fish on the floor and watched as it tried to gulp for air, it's mouth gaping wide. It flopped around for a few minutes, not making too much ruckus, as Todd prepared his tools. He pulled out a large fillet knife and placed the fish on a piece of plastic he had put on the bench. Todd made his side cut, lifted a bit

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>