Kenny and his dad planned a whole day of fishing at the river. The night before the fishing trip came. Kenny and his dad waited until after dark to gather night crawlers. Dad held the flashlight shining it on the damp grass. Kenny picked up twenty-two worms. “Let’s get two more,” dad said, that will make twenty four, an even two dozen.”

Dad and Kenny both went to bed early to get a good night of sleep. “Hey this isn’t early for me! I always go to bed at nine!” Dad only smiled and kissed his son goodnight. “I love you Kenny.” “I love you too dad”.

As dad turned the light out, Kenny joked,” Be sure to pray for luck because you are going to need it to catch the biggest fish.” Dad laughed and poked back,” Always a wise guy aren’t you!?”

Bright and early the next morning dad was awakened by dreams of puppy dogs crawling on his bed, but it wasn’t puppy dogs at all! It was Kenny snuggling warm and cozy up to dad. Content, dad and Kenny dozed and dreamed of the biggest fish until the alarm finally went off to begin the day of fishing at the river.

“DAD! Wake up!” Kenny exclaimed. “It’s four-thirty, we’ll be late!” Dad shot out of bed, still half asleep. He then realized that there was plenty of time for breakfast and lots of coffee. Dad made scrambled eggs, bacon and toast served with juice for breakfast. Kenny made sandwiches and packed for lunch. Dad and Kenny ate quietly together and when they were finished dad said, “I’ll clean up while you put the lunches in the truck.” “Okay”, Kenny replied.

All of the tackle boxes, lunches, and fishing poles were packed into the back of the truck. Dad and Kenny made a final check to be sure they had everything. “I can’t help feeling that we are forgetting something.” stated dad.

“The Crawlers!” exclaimed Kenny as he sprinted to the refrigerator to grab the container of crawlers. Now, with everything packed dad and Kenny loaded them selves up and were soon on their way to the river.

The eastern sky was just turning a light blue when dad and Kenny arrived at the river. Darkness kept the river hidden under the canopy of trees. “It is so quiet that I can hear my heart beating,” said dad.

“That is because you are old,” said Kenny.

“Hardy, har, har, you make the jokes and I will catch the fish!

The rest of the day will never be forgotten. Tomorrow dad has to go back to the Army, far away and won’t be home for another year.

© 2008 Richard L. Thorp Jr.