Hook Line & Sink
Her
What was Ricky’s last name? That’s what we
ponder once a year over clams and beer at The Whale. Martha should have married
him. And well, as things go – he still could be out there. If only we could
remember his last name.
One rainy evening every fall is dedicated
to this mystery and reminiscence of all stories beach. Like the time Martha got
a fishhook caught in her toe and my brother carried her up the beach and drove
her to the emergency room. Always said that was his best catch. He should have
married her. Have another beer. We know he is not here.
Our fathers made the best clams casino. No
smoke detectors to go off in those days when the bacon caught on fire. Whose
mother laughed and whose grabbed the fire extinguisher? They were friends for 40 years. They drank
Old Fashions. Nobody wanted the blue & green square glasses when I sold my
parents things. We’ll stick with beer, and let the bartender pour.
Our parents brought pets to the beach. How the dogs loved to run in the
surf before the lifeguards came out. (How we loved to eye the lifeguards.) Dogs
and girls walked by moonlight looking for phosphorescent sand in the surf.
Making initials in hearts erased by the tides. The sad tale of Pepper the cat
trying unsuccessfully to dig a pee hole in the shifting sand makes for a
mournful round of ‘meows.’ We think we are funny. The bartender smiles.
Collecting bottles for cash. That financed
ice cream and miniature golf. Nights when we could have family bonfires on the
beach. Dreaming of whose brother would marry whose sister so we could be
sisters. I’ll have s’more.
Until those working summers when we found
places to work that fed us: waitress, deli, bakery, grocery, drugstore clerks
Good life skills for a nurse/PHD therapist and a storyteller/accountant. We’ve
been friends for 60 years. Lots of names
and tales to remember. Pour another round and bring a pot of steamers.
Kathryn Weidener
Kathryn Weidener has
been telling tales all her life. Joining the profession of Storytellers has
been an opportunity to read and retell great tales with a little embellishment
of props and audience participation. Writing down some of the stories is a new
life challenge, with encouragement from her two adult sons, who have to approve
if their names are mentioned. She has published in local newspapers and a
family gardening tale in the magazine Hobby Farms. Recently Kathryn has
performed at The Moth in LA and NYC. She didn't win, but did fair to middlin'
and wants to keep at it.
Tags:
Short Fiction