The Storm

on to the sides of the boat, unless we get into some tree limbs brushin' against the hull of the boat. No need to get your hand broke.” I was in complete agreement. I watched as the river flowed past our tethered boat. Henry called out over the noise of the river, “I do this all the time, Son, so don’t sweat it. Okay?” “Yes Sir!” I replied with a shaky vo ice. With a few tugs of the motor's starter rope, the old engine sputtered to life with a puff of white smoke, shaking the old aluminum boat, and me! “Cast off the bow line and don’t get hung up in the rope,” Henry yelled over the noise of the motor and the rushing river. I assumed it to be the rope tied close to me by the front of the boat. So that’s the bow of the boat. Wow, I was already a seasoned hand. I surprise myself sometimes. There I was in a Louisiana swamp in a Jon Boat getting ready to launch into the flood waters and a new adventure. I wish Delores could see me now. Such a man’s man! I tightened my life vest straps even tighter, trying not to show my fear. I cast off the line and Henry launched the front of the boat into the river channel. Whoom! We took off like a rocket as we were being caught up in the current. Henry yelled out, “Just hang on, Boy, and don’t worry, Son!” I couldn’t speak. I just held on. Henry focused his attention downstream, and I could tell that he HAD done this before. We were smack dab in the river channel and running fast. Wherever we’re headed we’re gonna get there quick!

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