Friendship

A Friendship

The two of them sit along the shoreline. One in a wheelchair, the other rests on the ground close by. The autumn sun reflects off the fishing tackle adorning their baseball caps.

For five decades these two men have come every Tuesday late in the afternoon, during the warm months, rain or shine, to the same grassy knoll under the gnarly oak tree. Wearing their Cincinnati Reds T-shirts and blue dungarees, they settle in their space and open tackle boxes filled with every lure imaginable as well as a bucket of worms. They stay for two hours and then pack up and leave, most of the time without anything more than their tackle boxes and an empty bucket of worms.

Today, Mother Nature is cooperating as they share this moment in time. Their bobbers in the water float with the rolling waves. Once in awhile there is a slight tug on the line as the hook catches a weed. Two friends together, enjoying each other’s company. If they catch a fish, that is just a bonus.

They speak few words. Words are no longer necessary. A long, enduring, and caring friendship alleviates the need for small talk.

Two old friends living the moment.

Their futures uncertain.

Their final destiny nearer than the day before.

By Susan Handle Terbay