A.G.E's Joint

The shack was a weathered gray stack of sticks overlooking the wide tidal flat. A getaway from the real world. Jimmy and the kids fished the marshes during the day while she spent most of her time on the porch reading trashy novels and getting pleasantly buzzed. Like right now. The white Adirondacks contrasted with the dark green paint of the screened in porch. The box of wine on the table next to her. Outside, a shelf cloud storm had blown in, the wind tossing her still full curls.  Emmy came out to check out the weather, carrying her smoothie.  "Mom?"  "Yes, Sweetie." "You and Daddy have been together for a long time." Emily took a small pull and looked out at the approaching rain. "Were there any other boys besides him?" Kathy poured another glass of wine and was quiet for a moment. She'd never lied to her daughter, but this was a little personal.  "Not really. A couple tried back in high school. But they never got anywhere." ...

I have always been a camper and hiker. It is my preferred way to get out of the city and see parts of the country that I otherwise wouldn't. Back before I was married, I used to go to a state park in Beaufort SC, called Hunting Island. It lies about half way between Savannah and Charleston, making access to either place a snap. On trick I had learned in my trips down there is if I waited until the day after Labor Day I could get a campsite next to the beach and this year was no exception. I was with my buddy Karl and our site was next to the access boardwalk. We set the tent up and slipped the beer cooler discreetly under the picnic table for our week of fun and sun. And since we are pale people, we spend the time looking like Larry the Lobster. Late in the afternoon on our second day, we were sitting at the table figuring out where to eat. Our favorite fish shack was closed for a private event and we weren't thrilled about having to go all the way into town. We ha...