10. Fishing with Nymphs

Great expectations can lead to great hopes but they often lead to greater disappointments. However, nature would have no meaning if she had no expectation. The dust-bowled farmers and the drought burdened Ethiopians always seem to be praying for rain, any rain. They have hope. All kinds of scientists attempt to predict tsunamis and hurricanes so they can save some lives. Preachers try to convince congregations that there are some great sins that indicate forthcoming punishment in the form of floods and droughts alike. Those preachers seem to do better financially when there is an expected impending disaster. Regardless of the scientific or theological anticipation the skies will either shine bright blue drying everything to golden brown or they will be filled with sponge soaked clouds drenching everything with great torrents and create a biblical deluge where no creature can stand dry.

 

Jake thought about how the sun sets and the sun rises. He wondered  about the constant rain . Sometimes stopping, being present and listening to what is being said in the great silence deep within is enough for tranquility. Sometimes the sound of raindrops is interrupted by a silence that makes the rain’s song more pronounced.

 

Carefully casting a line to specific locations while working one’s way downstream takes persistence and patience. Jake used to think about different types of great expectations. Sometimes he would try not to have any expectations. He used to say

 

“ I have enough disappointments without having any expectations. ”

 

When Sundance would hear this type of commentary he would automatically retort…

 

“You need a little faith.”

 

Jake would always respond to the almost scripted banter

 

 

“What are you some kind of mustard seed salesman?”

 

Arriving at the sorority party both boys seemed to naturally expect some type of red carpet welcome for the two almost rock stars. Sundance fantasized about twenty or thirty women assaulting them as they stepped from the car. Jake worried about how he would explain the fact that numerous young ladies pawed at all parts of his body while feeding him a funnel of brew.

 

All the lonely souls escaping from Hades just north from southwest Connecticut who sought solace or at least a moment of companionship seemed to be gathering at the sorority house that welcomed Sundance and Jake. Though it looked to them that the house runneth over with more men than women. 

 

Sundance awed by immensity of the crowd thought

 

“Jesus must be inside. The only way we are going to get in is through the roof!”

 

Jake reacted

 

“Oh well, Paradise postponed once again. “

 

Two of the girls weaseled through the masses securing a couple of cups from the new tapped keg and apologized to the boys suggesting that they blow the place. One of their slightly embarrassed recruiters said

 

“Hey, I really have to go. This place is really hell on earth. Why don’t you take my joint and have a good time.”

 

The end twisted thin looking cigarette made it into Jake’s quick hands.

 

Sundance gently nudged another one of the lovelies

 

“Yeah, let’s blow this place. What a crowded drag. We can have a better time on our own.”

 

The girl smiled and grabbed his arm and Jake made sure that the other girl was nearby.

 

“Come on hon! Yeh…let’s blow THIS joint!”

 

Holding up the joint like some victorious trophy as they piled into The Black Beauty. They were on the road again.

 

Jake felt relieved and Sundance and his new temporary companion vanished from sight in the rear view mirror. A few groans echoed in-between verses of  “Build Me up Buttercup” playing on the car radio. The young woman almost sitting on top of Jake between his lap and the steering wheel artfully and sacramentally roach clipped what remained of the weed. She whispered

 

“ Puff it slowly sweetie…. draw it in…it’s not a race. Enjoy the moment!”

 

Jake pushed back

 

“Hey, you aren’t my mother or girl friend!”

 

Without another breath the young lady took her puffed up cheek face and placed her lips moistly around Jake’s lips and slowly exhaled the smoke from her mouth to his and not letting him breathe as he sucked it all into his lungs. A long wet tongue followed the smoke and wrapped around his tongue and caressed the top of his throat. He finally came up choking for air and blurted

 

“Now this is enjoying the moment.”

 

She slid off him as he was still driving and rolled down the window to catch some fresh air.

 

Jake looked at the steamed up back window and still not seeing Sundance or the other girl…and not hearing any more moans.

 

“Anybody alive back there”

 

A fist rose into view of the rear view mirror with the thumb pointing upward. Sundance’s falsetto voice screeched out

 

“Everybody's got something to hide except for me and my monkey”

 

Jake laughed so hard he swerved into oncoming traffic. An all night eighteen wheeler with a driver loaded on caffeine coming straight at them just pulled on his horn and cursed the big black machine with carrying the four sojourners. Only a couple of inches of air separated the two vehicles as they passed each other. Jake’s temporary companion giggled

 

“Hey, sweetheart, careful now and just turn right at the next light…slowly”

 

Jake wondered

 

“What’s there?”

 

She said

 

“Home”

 

She was now brushing her hair as Jake made the turn.

 

“Here. …that big old building. It’s a girls only dorm.”

 

Jake didn’t have to ask. The night with the girls was about to end. He stopped right where he should under the “Visitors Only” parking sign. He jumped out darting in and out of the now slight rain shower gentlemanly opening the doors for both girls.

 

No words .The one who sat up front slipped Jake a piece of paper with her name and phone number. The one in back almost fell out of the car still a fixing her skirt and hair while blowing to Sundance one of those semi-sincere ‘I hope we meet again’ kisses all in one move. The girls mystically disappeared into the night fog

 

 Jake smirked

 

“Fly fishermen call the sport catch and release. Not sure who got hooked or who got released.”

 

Sundance grabbed the paper out of Jake’s palm.

 

“This will only get you into trouble. Isabella will find it when she’s hunting through your pants pockets and you’ll be so guilty you’ll be speechless.”

 

He was probably right. Jake would never learn that the girl’s name was Alice. All he recalled about is that she was chasing after something.

 

Months later Sundance would report to Jake that he had misplaced the piece of paper and the number from that blink of an eye night on the town. Both boys burned their synapses as they strained to recall what dorm the girls lived in or even what college the girls attended. Well, that’s how Sundance would tell the story. Jake was never too sure if that was the truth or if Sundance was still protecting him.

 

It stopped raining again as they travelled the long road back to their safe harbor at Fairfield. Jake gave that tired look at Sundance

 

“So, now what?”

 

 

 

 

 

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