Fishing ($*CrazyHick*$)

[.~.T.e.a.k.~.]

Travis Price
'Trav'

A cool, padded leather jacket lay on the ground alongside him, along with a tackle box, two fishing-rods (both having line cast out into the water), and small dark blue cooler filled with water, ice, a few drinks and a bologna sandwich. He'd been out since before daylight that morning, and it was nearing ten o'clock. For a warm spring day it had been surprisingly cold that morning. His truck was parked halfway across the lake, as he'd explored all over before finding a suitable fishing area. The area was hidden almost completely by a bundle of trees, he'd only found the spot by accident, but he was glad that he had, for the area was more than perfect.

The man was tall and built well; he had the look of an outdoorsman, a guy who worked outside and enjoyed it. It was truth, he did ejoy working outside...That was one of the reasons he had become a vet tech. He was tanned, showing his Cajun inheritance through his dark skin, eyes, and hair. Anyone who'd seen him a few days before could easily see that he had indeed had a few good days of rest. His eyes were no longer tired and red-rimmed, though the dull, depressed look hadn't left, nor would it, not for a long while yet. His posture was relaxed, not slumped in defeat and fatigue like it had been only days earlier, and he appeared to have gotten a few good meals as well.

With a sigh, Travis picked up the closest fishing pole and drew in the line, looking languidly at the clean hook. The fish had taken the night-crawler, but had managed to evade the shiny metal. He reached across to the can of night-crawlers, completely passing by the cage of grasshoppers and the bloody meat that he'd found some fish to like, and, after moving the dirt around a bit, came back with one of the energetically wriggling red worms. He had dirt and quite possibly worm and fish guts underneath his short nails, for sure there was blood from the few fish he'd already caught, beheaded, and wrapped in foil before placing them in the cooler.

The Louisiana man baited the hook and cast it back out into the water, hearing the faint 'plop' it made as it hit and sank. He'd already checked the other pole a little earlier. Fishing was a great relaxant, and one of his favorite past-times. He just wished his son was there with him, playing along the waters edge like he'd done so many times before. Travis shoved the thought to the back of his mind almost as soon as it appeared, not wanting to get lost in the past anymore than he already was.

He ran a hand through his hair, not minding the fish blood, guts, and scales and the worm guts at all. Seconds later he picked up the can that sat in a dug out depression to prevent it from getting tipped over, and swallowed the last mouthful of the alcohol. He didn't drink much, usually only when fishing, or after a particularly hard day. On a relaxing day like this, though...

Word Count:557

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Sara Beth is scared to death
To hear what the doctor will say
She hasn't been well
Since the day that she fell
And the bruise, it just won't go away
So she sits and she waits
With her mother and dad
And flips through an old magazine
Til the nurse with the smile
Stands at the door
And says, "will you please come with me?"

Sara Beth is scared to death
Cause the doctor just told her the news
"Between the red cells and white
Something's not right
But we're gonna take care of you
6 chances in 10 it won't come back again
With the therapy we're gonna try
It's just been approved,
It's the strongest there is
And I think we caught it in time"
And Sara Beth closes her eyes....

She dreams she's dancing
Around and around
Without any cares
And her very first love
Is holding her close
And a soft wind is blowing her hair

Savannah

The morning had been quite cool. Even for the summer months Savannah had been wondering what was up. Her seasonal allergies were on edge and she was sick and tired of the sneezing from the pollen. So that morning she drunk a whole glass of orange juice for her vitamin c to help her fight off the irritating cold. She went out to her truck which was a blue dodge her dad had gotten it for her for her sixteenth birthday and she was so proud it had actually survived this long. With that said she revved the engine backing out of the driveway of the stable yard and heading to the lake she needed something more quiet and secluded. Besides she could actually think there and not have Chance up her butt the whole time wanting more attention than what Savannah could give she needed more than four hands for all that attention.

Driving into the area of the lake Savannah felt peaceful and she was considering her pass. With an almost death scare with her diagnosis of leukemia and she got rid of that or so she hoped it was cured from her mothers bone marrow. The radio was almost blaring with her windows rolled down to some Trace Atkins- honky tonk ba donkey donk. Which everyone looked around. She was the new instructor at the stabled for intermediate western riders. She yawned lazily and noticed hardly anyone was out here. With that she parked on the bank and got out of her truck barefooted not like she cared she was very much southern. In other words no shoes no shirt no problem for her. Though she had on a gray shirt on to compliment her eyes and to show off the lower back tattoo of a butterfly. Then along with that she had on some worn in daisy dukes with holes in the necessary spots. On top of that she wore all her earrings. Today Savannah decided to wear her hair down showing off her long blond locks.

She walked all the way down to the lakes edge dipping her feet the coolness of the water calming her even more. The wind from the water swirling about her making her hair get in her face with that she tied t he strands in a ponytail teach them for getting in her face. Savannah walked on down letting the water go up to past her thigh she would be taking a dip soon it was hot out today and she was almost ready to just dive head over heels in. She walked on to the east till she came upon a cork she tilted her head and stood stark still she so didnt want to get hooked anytime soon so she took a few steps back and casually began her trek to the bank. There she saw the guy and offered a smile and a 'hello'.

Sara Beth is scared to death
As she sits, holding her mom
Cause it would be a mistake
For someone to take
A girl with no hair to the Prom
For just this morning
Right there on her pillow
Was the cruelest of any surprise
And she cried when she gathered it all in her hands
The proof that she couldn't deny
And Sara Beth closes her eyes....

She dreams she's dancing
Around and around
Without any cares
And her very first love
Was holding her close
And a soft wind is blowing her hair

It's quarter to seven
That boy's at the door
And her daddy ushers him in
And when he takes off his cap,
They all start to cry
Cause this morning where his hair had been
Softly she touches just skin

And they go dancing
Around and around
Without any cares
And her very first true love
Is holding her close
And for a moment
She isn't scared.

[.~.T.e.a.k.~.]

The fish were biting surprisingly good. Travis had caught two more during the time he'd rebaited the line and cast it back out, and now he was hard at work beheading yet another fish that he'd just reeled in. The fish would make a great lunch, or even dinner, and if he froze them then they'd kept for a few weeks at least. He wasn't sure what he was going to do just yet.

He tossed the head of the water-dweller to the side and wrapped the dead animal in foil before tossing it into the cooler and going to bait the hook once more. He was having a great day, though he was almost out of night-crawlers. The man reared back to cast the line again, aiming for a little, clear spot near the bank a few yards away. The line flew out and landed almost exactly where he wanted, and he let it sit, placing the pole in the depression he'd dug out before reaching inside the cooler and pulling out another cold drink and popping the top off, pouring a little out before taking a drink.

He was getting bites on the line of his second pole, but he didn't grab it nor bother with reaching over to pick it up. The fish were small, not worth reeling in. In a few minutes the fish would leave the hook alone and he'd reel it in and rebait it. Travis kept an eye on the line ad he grabbed and unwrapped his sandwich, not caring about the staining on his hands as he pulled a corner off and popped it into his mouth, relishing the bologna, bread, and cheese breakfast.

The sound of footsteps alerted him that he was being approached, by who he didn't know, but when the steps stopped he found himself turning around and tilting his head up to look at the woman. His dark hair fell in his face and he gazed at the woman for a few minutes before one of the lines jerking pulled at his attention, but it was just another nibble. Hey, He said quietly, not speaking too loudly so as to not scare any fish away. Good fishin', today.

He felt a little awkward, and was unsure as to what to say as no one had ever really bothered him while he was fishing (mainly because not many people had ever known of his fishing holes).

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Savannah wasnt expecting a response from the man. So she plastered a smile on his hands. He was very southern to have been catching and cleaning fish and now he was eating a sandwich with worm poo under his nails. She couldnt help but purse her lips and try not to burst into laughter though her gray eyes seemed to be laughing for her though they were soft. She wasnt being loud her voice was naturally soft spoken so she was fine and it wasnt gruff like a males it was all very feminine. She sighed and grinned down at him "you mind if I join you" she asked curiously watching him not sure how he would react. She needed friend besides after moving from Texas to Virginia it truely made her respect the vehicle cause that was the longest ride she felt she had ever truly been on.

Savannah looked down at him well whether he wanted her company or not she sought his so she plopped down on the ground. The shade of the trees casting shadows on them. She sighed deeply looking out over the beautiful water. "Yea today is a good fishin' day to bad I forgot my bamboo pole" she said with a grin knowing good and well she had too it wasnt in the back of her truck she had planned on going swimming later on today so she wasnt to caught up with fishing she preferred hunting b ut fishing was relaxing when you were stressed and with friends who got ill when they caught the smallest fish of the lot and you got the biggest. Those fond memories brought a smile to her face automatically and she waited for him to speak once more enjoying the peace and quietness of the wilderness.

[.~.T.e.a.k.~.]

I got two poles, you can take that 'un. He motioned to the blue and silver pole, while he himself took the red and silver one back up and started to reel it back in. He was a bit surprised by her bluntness, but didn't let it bother him, he'd known other people like that, and while he was used to fishing alone or with no-one but his son for company, he really didn't mind it as long as she understood and respected the unwritten laws of fishing... the main one being don't scare the fish away by talking extremely loudly... but that didn't seem to be a problem as it appeared that she was pretty soft spoken. I guess it wouldn't matter if I minded, would it? No, I don't mind. He finally answered her original question, a small smile on his face that didn't quite reach his dark eyes.

I'm Travis. He said a few moments later as he was baiting his hook again after finishing his sandwich, using the bloody meat this time instead of the night-crawlers. There's drinks in the cooler... Mountain Dew, Pepsi, and a few beers are left. He had adapted to the fact that she was planning on staying quite well and pretty quickly. The fish are biting pretty good, too, I've been here since before daylight.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

"Oh why thank ya very kindly" she said going over to the reel picking it up and reeling it back in. "Hmm" she said looking at his bait there wasnt that much she preferred minnows and crickets. Though the worms were good she guessed. She pulled one out and baited her hook not making a face at all. "Thanks for letting me sit here not many people to sit here with and talk and relax" she said ever so softly. Savannah didnt drink beer she decided upon tasting it it tasted like pee so she preferred good old natural whiskey. Which burned all the way down and hid the pain of many things. That medicine they had put her own made her want to drink she felt like crap during those days. She sighed and reached into the cooler pulling out a mountain dew popping the cap and sitting it next to her. She yawned lazily using her arm and casting the reel letting it call a long way before reeling it in some. She looked at it dumb foundedly and felt a small tug but didnt bother with it. She was quiet just watching her cork the small little fish nibbling on the worm attracting the larger fish. Sure enough a few moments later something got the bait and it wasnt coming in without a fight. She reeled in some and let the fish pull it out some and she reeled in some more and then let the fish pull she did this over and over. Though the fish was large it was still fighting and Savannah stood pulling with all her might a grin on her face. "Woo doggy feels like I got a grouper" she said she grabbed the line and went into the water chasing the larger fish about and finally grabbing the lower lips and pulling up a rather larger catfish. "whoa buddy now that is something" she said coming out of the water taking the hook off. From there she began a process of cleaning the fish which involved removal of the head and guts.

[.~.T.e.a.k.~.]

The time passed quickly, silently, and before he knew it his watch went of, telling him that the hour had just passed. Travis hadn’t caught anything else so far, but he wasn’t worried about it, he hadn’t even drew his line in over the past fifteen minutes, and had instead taken to staring out over the lake, watching the way the sun bounced off the waters surface. His pole was held lazily in his hands, almost forgotten about. Occasionally he pulled the line up a little, but since he wasn’t paying any attention, he didn’t attempt to catch the nibbles as the fish slowly stole his bait.

Nice catch. Had been all he’d said to her as she’d brought the catfish in. He’d watched her fight with the water-dweller, teasing it before reeling it in silently.

Travis’s eyes moved from the water to the pole he held, then he laid it down to reach into the cooler and bring out one of the Pepsi’s. He held it for a few minutes before popping the top off and tossing the small bit of metal back to float in the ice and water of the cooler. There was no reason to be trashy and litter, no reason at all.

You fish often? He asked. His questions and comments were a bit blunt, but he didn’t usually speak too much while fishing, and wasn’t too sure what to say anyway.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

"Oh crap I think I completely forgot to tell you my name Im so sorry if I did anyways Im Savannah" she said having recalled his name which was Travis. She couldnt exactly help it she had ADHD things sometimes didnt keep her attention very long. She finished cleaning her fish and wrapped it in his foil she never did that but she was giving him the fish she didnt really eat fish but she sure catch them. "Why thanks" she said smiling very proudly glad someone noticed her skill though he seemed soooo mellow and borish Savannah was more of hyper though she could be relaxed like she was now. She sipped delicately on her mountain dew and yawned falling backwards that one fish had zapped her energy and she was exhausted. "I fish every other day though I have to say I do prefer hunting cause its during the fall and your clothes are trying to stick to you due to humidity" she said.

[.~.T.e.a.k.~.]

Yeah, you didn’t tell me your name. A smile broke out across his face as he filed her name away for later. Sorry I’m not more talkative, I don’t often have company when fishing… well, not the sort of company I can actually talk to and not have to keep it down to things a four year old can understand… it’s sort of odd. You’re not keeping the fish? He explained, then turned around and questioned her after watching her wrap the fish.

A brow rose in amusement as she flopped down, and he chuckled a little at her actions. Travis shook his head slightly, turning back to reel his line in. He cut the hook off and fished around in his tackle-box, finally pulling out a case of much larger hooks and tied the new hook on before grabbing one of the crickets he was also using and tossing the line back out, though his mind still wasn’t on fishing anymore.

Fishing is more relaxing than hunting, and I like fish better than venison… though snake is really good. He commented idly, not thinking as he spoke. Truthfully, the fishing had made him tired, or at least it had made him feel tired, and since he wasn’t that much of a talker in the first place… yeah. Are you an instructor at the stables? Was his next question, as he was trying to ‘fish’ for conversation topics but not having much luck. He figured she’d know which stables he was referring to. Sorry if I’m boring you, I’m not much of a talker, I don’t guess… even when I’m not fishing. Since he wasn’t paying much attention to the actual fishing, he was speaking a bit louder.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

"Sorry about that again I have ADHD so its not my fault if I suddenly zone out just a forewarning" she said though there was a smile on her face as she lay there. However when he spoke of a kid Savannah smiled "aw I love kids though they tend to have nasty bites" she said thinking of her baby cousin who was teething back home and whom seemed to make her shoulder a chew toy recalling the bruise she received from the little hellion. She was quiet for a moment and then recalled he asked about the fish "um no you can have it I dont eat alot of fish and Im not in the mood for it but you can have it cause you loaned me out your bait and reel " she said with a grin. She listened to him for a moment well he was talking now and he couldnt help but laugh at that. "I prefer alligator tail but then again Im more of a beef girl myself" she said. She finally decided to to sit up sand clinging to her shirt and she wrapped her arms about her legs gray eyes curious. "Yea I am Im the instructor for intermediate western riders and I am so new to this place" she said with a smile. Then he began talking about how boring he was in truth she enjoyed his company and plus he wasnt bad on the eyes either so she had no problems. She spoke "naw your not boring you entertain me I quite frankly enjoy your company " she said looking up to him from the ground remembering the worm guts and bologna sandwich and she pursed her lips.

[.~.T.e.a.k.~.]

Travis nodded as she spoke, his eyes on the water. It was getting hot now, but he wasn’t even thinking about taking a swim, he disliked swimming, as no matter how hot it was out, or how warm the water was he always got chilled afterwards, even though he’d grown up in the swamplands of Louisiana.

His dark hair had fallen back in his eyes and he pushed it away, exasperated, thinking about getting the longish locks cut short even though he knew it’d never happen. He wiped his hands on the legs of his jeans, though it didn’t do any good.

I wouldn’t know about kids and biting, but they can hit hard and can throw some of the biggest tantrums… He grinned, Thanks for the fish, though it’s not my reel… belongs to a friend, I borrowed it a few years ago and never got around to giving it back. He laughed a little, thinking of just how mad his best friend and considered brother would be if he ever figured out what happened to his favorite fishing tool. I’m new to the area too… just moved here a few days ago. I’m not an instructor or anything, though… just a vet technician.

He disagreed with her when she said that he wasn’t boring. He knew that he was fairly dull at times, but he was glad that she enjoyed his company and told her so. He was enjoying talking with her as well, it was a nice change from the quietness that had settled earlier when he’d first started fishing. I’m afraid I don’t have anything to eat, or I’d offer you something.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Savannah got up and stretched slightly. Her muscles had sat still to long and the lactic acids had built up in her body making her somewhat sore and she cursed at the fillet fish like she was glowering at it. "Jeez my arms are sore" she said rotating them flexing her fingers she must have been seriously out of practice. "Oh yes tantrums big tantrums right in the middle of Wal-Mart" she said remembering the fit over a barbie and then her cousin calling 9-1-1 for not buying a barbie and saying her mother was abusing her. Little kids these days she said with an annoyed raised eyebrow.
With that Savannah looked around it was hot and she was sweating slightly and worrying she wouldnt burn. "Your welcome for the fish " she said mighty sweetly and she shook her head stepping into the waters edge like a child who just discovered a mud puddle. "Interesting A vet tech you must be put to work on occasion" she said noting a few of the foals that were due and whose had already went into labor. "Its ok Im not that hungry anyways" she said.

[.~.T.e.a.k.~.]

He shook his head at her words about little kids. They weren't all bad... his own could pitch a real fit, but not very often, thankfully. Travis voiced his opinion softly before nodding a thanks over the fish and laughing a little at her exclamation of being a bit sore. He took the pole she'd been using and hooked the hook to it, reeling it in just enough so that it was slightly bent before doing the same with his own pole.

His tackle-box was closed moments later and he dumped the worms out before letting the crickets go. There was no use in keeping them... he wouldn't be back fishing for a long while, probably...

Not too often yet, no... I haven't done too much, but I enjoy working with animals and working outside, so works out for me in the end. He stretched and slowly stood before gathering his stuff. I reckon I'm through fishing... if you were wanting to swim.

((sorry it's not good, I lost my muse...))