Hidden From Sight: A Short Story by Gary Flory

 

Sam was no stranger when it came to fishing. He would pile in the old truck at 5:00 AM with his dad to get out on the lake before sunrise. That’s when the fish were biting and when you had the best chance to catch the big ones. His dad kept a 14-footer with a 20-hp motor tied up to a dock just off one of the inlets. As the sky was just starting to lighten a little, they finished loading the boat. Once they left the dock, there was no running back if they forgot anything. His dad would always check twice that everything was loaded.

“Sam, did you get the baloney sandwiches and tea?” 

“Check.”

“Extra gas can?”

“Right behind you.”

“Ok, push us away from the dock while I start the motor.”

As the sun was just peeking over the horizon, they pulled into their favorite fishing hole. Sam knew his dad was going to say it, because he always did. “Whoever catches the largest fish doesn’t have to clean any.”

Sam’s reply was always, “Fine with me because I plan on the biggest fish ending up in my net.” As he watched his dad bait his hook, he noticed that he would always put the worm upside down on the hook.

“Why do you do it that way?”

His dad had been waiting for Sam to ask him that and did his best to keep a straight face. “Well son, putting the worm upside down confuses the fish. He’s not sure if that worm is trying to back up the line or crawl off the hook. By the time he has it figured out, I already got him hooked.” He waited till Sam turned back around before he started grinning from ear to ear.

As time went on, the father and son fished many years together and enjoyed their time together until the Spring of 2006 when his dad was rushed to the hospital with chest pains. At 85 his heart was worn out, and he passed peacefully during the night. Sam was heartbroken to lose his best friend and fishing buddy. The thought of fishing no longer seemed the same when you had no one to share it with. In fact, that Spring, Sam didn’t take the boat out once. His heartfelt emptiness and joy seemed to run from him. It wasn’t till Fall that he was able to even open his dad’s tackle box. As he looked through the lures, he remembered how his dad taught him how to tie them to the line, so they would flow smoothly through the water. On the bottom of the tackle box, under several boxes of lures, he noticed a white envelope. He could tell it had been in there a long time, as it was more brown and yellow than white. When he opened it, the first thing he noticed was a picture of him and his dad holding their fishing poles in one hand and a fish in the other. It was taken back when Sam was only 10. On the back, his dad had written, these are some of the best times of my life. Sam could no longer hold back the tears.

Wiping the tears from his eyes with the sleeve of his shirt, Sam noticed a note still inside the envelope. He slowly unfolded it and knew right away it was his dad’s handwriting.

Hi son. I guess if you’re reading this, it means I’m no longer around. The last thing I want you to be is sad. Ya, you’re gonna miss me for a while, but someday we’ll be together again and have forever to talk about fishing. Go ahead son and catch those big ones, so you can tell me about how the big one didn’t get away. If you want to really catch the granddaddy, put your worm upside down. Love you son. Oh, and by the way, I left you something hidden under my seat in the boat.

Sam had no idea what his dad would have left him, but the next day he was going to find out.

That letter changed Sam’s emotions completely. Just the thought of him getting to see his dad again brightened his whole outlook on life. Sam must have checked the clock 4-5 times during the night, thinking it must be time to get up. Finally, morning came and Sam was out the door headed for the lake. As he looked at the dock and his dad’s boat, a lot of memories came rushing back of all the hours they spent together in that small boat. Sam figured it would only be appropriate to go to their favorite fishing hole before looking under the seat. This time he was in no hurry to get there, looking at all the trees that covered the shoreline, thinking about how many times they had seen their boat pass this way. The blue heron fishing along the edge of the water paid no attention as Sam idled by slowly. He could see the old stump sticking out of the water just ahead, marking their spot. As he slowly drifted up to the stump, he shut off the motor and lowered the anchor. Whatever his dad left for him was soon to be taken from its hiding place. He hadn’t even brought a fishing pole with him. Today wasn’t about fishing, but about what his dad wanted him to have.

The time had come, and Sam stood up so he could open the seat. Back in the corner was a small old wooden box. He lifted it out, put the seat back down, and sat it on his lap. The lid had his name carved in it with a pocketknife. He took his finger and ran it around each letter, Sam. His heart started to beat faster; he almost didn’t want to know what was inside. What if it was something that would break his heart even more? He sat the box down on the seat next to him and looked up to the sky. I sure miss you Dad, as the tears ran down his cheeks. Just then, he saw an eagle fly over and let out a cry. Of all the times they fished there they had never seen an eagle in that area. Sam felt like that was the assurance he needed that all was well.

          He picked the box up and opened the lid. Inside was something wrapped in wax paper and a note under it. He carefully unwrapped the paper to reveal two lures. One was very old, made of wood with most of the paint worn off. The other one was newer, but the paint had faded. Sam wasn’t sure what he was looking at until he read the note. Hi son, you’re probably wondering about these lures. Well, the oldest one was mine. My dad saved it and told me that was the first lure I caught a fish on. The other lure I saved was the one you caught your first fish on. I hope it brings you good memories.

That brought a big smile to Sam’s face. He couldn’t imagine a better gift his dad could have left him. Sadness turned to joy and the whole day seemed brighter. Sam felt the sorrow leaving his body and being replaced with an everlasting peace. He never saw that eagle again, but once was enough to bring joy back into his life. Every once in a while, he will put the worm upside down on his hook and just smile.

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 13:34 KJV

Read more stories by Gary Flory here