Day 4
#500wordsaday
#fiction
Caught in the Net
He was the first one up every morning. He had this idea that if he was the first one
to the docks he would get to finally graduate from being the one to hold the
nets. He loaded all the gear, made sure
the boat had gas and that his fathers' captain seat was clean and ready. He was
often so early that he had time to run to the corner bait shop and grab his
favorite doughnut, old fashioned with chocolate frosting. He usually thought of
getting his brother one too but he always stopped himself. Juan didn't deserve it. Angel, the worm expert, always greeted him
with a smile, a pat on the back and kind words. He would often tell him the
secrets of the bay as if he was giving him a one up on the competition. But Jose already knew his older brother would assume
the position of lead kiss ass to his father, at least on this day.
Jose knew that one day his brother would be interested in
girls and he would take over his position. He was never going to like girls
because that's what happened to his oldest brother Antonio and he ended up
having to get a job in town. He didn't want that. He wanted to be the village
fisherman, just like his Papa. It meant
that he would also have to take care of a baby and they were annoying. That's
what Antonio said anyway. But Jose didn't really know anything about babies or
why when you liked girls an annoying baby showed up later. Juan told him it was
because Antonio kissed Theresa. "YUCK! Kissing was gross anyway" Jose
thought. That solved it. He would never like girls, he would never kiss a girl,
he would never have to deal with babies and he could one day be the captain of
the family boat, Amante Del Mar. That
is all that matters. At least when you are six.
Papa was the first one to arrive as usual, pleased at
the organization and care that Jose took to prepping all the details for the
morning catch. Papa slung the canvas bag covered in fish scales onto the back
bench near the catch pails. "You forgot your nets!" his Papa groaned.
Jose hung his head low. He really wanted to be the best at his duties and he
was so excited and hopeful to impress his father on the boat that he forgot his
own supplies that morning. They weren't suppose to be his nets anyway but there
was no one to pass them on to. He was the last of the children and his Mama
said she wasn't having anymore unless it was an immaculate conception. He didn't
really know what that meant but he prayed every night that it might happened. His
teacher told him it only ever happened once and that was in the Bible a long time
ago. So he watched carefully when Papa kissed Mama hello and good bye. He hoped
a baby would arrive soon. It was all just so confusing.
Juan showed up late, as usual. He boarded near the stern
careless as usual tipping over the catch pail. He knew Jose would pick it up. Juan
took his position, closed his eyes and fell back asleep. Papa guided the bow of
the boat through the short canal and into the bay. Jose unzipped his canvas
supply bag, pulled out his nets and set them up in perfect order. He was ready.
It was not the job he wanted but it was the job he would do well. And one day
when the time was right, he would in fact move to the seat of Capitan.
No comments:
Post a Comment