Shattering the Blue Glass

The steady left-to-right movement of the boat coupled with the cool morning air was almost enough to rock her soundly to sleep.

I wonder how long we’ll be out here today, she thinks.

She’d always liked the water, liked the way it offered relief from the hot sun even when she dipped in just one toe. But right now, the sun was hidden and the water was calm. She spots a lone bird flying near the surface of the shimmering blue glass. No doubt it’s looking for a morning catch.

Me, too.

In the middle of her thought she feels it – the slight tug of something – and her fatigue is instantly changed to awareness.

It’s probably a snag. The pole has only been in the water for ten, maybe fifteen, minutes. Or it’s going to be a boot. That’ll be awesome.

She wonders what jokes the others will come up with. How many boot puns are there? But then the boot pulls a little harder and shifts to the left, shifts to the right.

Hmm, boots don’t tug back. I better start reeling this thing in.

She jerks up on the catch and her right wrist kicks into gear. It’s getting more difficult with every turn.

If this really is a boot, I’m going to lose it.

“Do you need the net?” he calls from the front of the boat.

Hmm, do I need the net? Do I need the net? If I make him net a boot he’ll surely throw me overboard.

“Yes!”

Just as he’s beside her she’s pulling her white and silver catch from the scattered blue glass. A laugh escapes her.

It’s not a boot.

“Oh, it’s a good one,” he says as he reaches for the measuring stick.

“That’s larger than anything you’ve caught so far this year,” calls another voice from the front of the boat.

She smirks as he puts more bait on her hook. She’d like to brag, but she knows the smirk is doing it for her.

“Okay, now do that three more times,” he says.

Ha.

“Okay,” she says. “As long as you do it four more times.”