Lake (Blogophilia 6.10)

It had been a wonderful day. The weather was cool, but it didn't keep him out of the canoe. Paddling around the little lake was a tradition with him. There were always neat stuff to see. The girls went with him this time, both of them giggling as Jimmy adjusted the float vests. As he was tightening Emily's, she asked why she had to wear it. Jimmy said he'd throw her out of the boat if she cut up and it help her swim to shore. She giggled at that. 

 

Kathy took the front oar and Emily sat on the gunwale bar. At a hundred feet off shore, Jimmy swung to boat around so everyone could wave back at Karl and Aunt B. Along the way they found an abandoned boat covered with vines, which really fascinated Emily. 

 

She called it Moses Moat after what she had learned in Sunday School the week before. She really did have her mother's imagination. 

 

Everyone jumped when the fish broke the surface going after a fly. Emily asked if she could jump out and see if the vest worked. Mommy said "sure". It only took about fifteen seconds before the cold got her screaming. After a quick laugh, they pulled her back in, wrapping her in a beach towel they had brought and let her drip dry in the sun. 

 

Ol' Sol was now drawing hard against the trees on the opposite shore. Jimmy sat at the table and waited for Kathy and Aunt B to finish cleaning up from dinner. The vegan casserole actually tasted like beef. B mentioned instead of tofu, she was using some kind of textured nut protein and kale and it made all the difference. It didn’t matter really. They were so hungry, they could have eaten raw tofu. 

 

They would need to leave soon. A cool breeze made small ripples along the shore. The breeze and beer made him happy. Maybe Karl was right. He should save up his money and buy a place like this. A spot of refuge in this horrid world.

 

Like a cat claiming its territory, the child climbed in his lap. Still in her swimsuit she smelled of the lake, smudges of dark mud streaked her face and arms. Her hair was frizzy and wild from the day on the water and her skin was almost the color of her hair. Dark rimmed eyes wide with wonder smiled at him. Settling in she took a nibble from a rice cracker in her hand, then fed the rest to Jimmy. 

 

"Daddy?" 

 

"Hmm?"

 

"It sure was nice for Uncle Karl and Aunt B to let us come here."

 

"Yes, it was. Did you remember to thank them?"

 

"Yeah." The little face scrunched up. "Aunt B caught me and gave me a kiss, yuck."

 

The giggle couldn’t be suppressed. 

 

"About as much fun as the Tofu Treat she had for desert, huh?

 

The face turned even more sour. Turning towards Daddy, she wound her hands around his neck and whispered:

 

"Uncle Karl saved me with those jelly beans. He called them carob...but I think they were really chocolate."

 

Then laughing, she turned back and cuddled along his left arm.

 

"Do we hav'ta go home?"

 

Jimmy kissed the top of the sweaty little head. 

 

"'Fraid so. I got to go to work in the morning."

 

Looking, the small hand pointed off to where the sun had disappeared behind the trees.

"Oooh. Look at the sky. It's turning pink."

 

"The sun is going to bed and that's how it turns out the lights."

 

"Ohhh."

 

An upturned crescent moon peeked over the dam to the right. Jimmy pointed at it.

 

"See the moon, Emily? It's coming up to rule the night."

 

"And keep us safe, Daddy?"

 

"Yes, Honey."

 

Breathing slowed in the silence. With a yawn came a question.

 

"Daddy, do you believe in wishes?"

 

"Maybe." Jimmy smiled. "Do you have a wish?"

 

"Yes."

 

"There's the first star."

 

The verse was recited in a whisper.

 

"I wish, I may. I wish, I might. I wish my wish come true tonight."

 

The little eyes closed as the last words came out. He stood up as Kathy came down from the house with a fresh beer. Somebody had said there was only one happiness in life, to love and be loved. Looking at his wife, then his sleeping daughter, he had to agree. Kathy kissed the peaceful little snorer.

 

"Someone had too much fun today."

 

"Yep." Jimmy smiled. "She's ready to pour in to the car seat."

 

"Let me have her and you can pack up. We have to go back to the real world.”

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Whoops, forgot the guesses.

Topic-Diana Jillian

Pic-Dave Coon

Pic guesses Table (in blog) Refuge (in blog) paradise, table for two, waterfront, quiet time, mosquitoes,