I hadn’t slept well through the night, so I was already awake before my alarm clock could go off. Instead of lying in bed until it rang, I decided to get up and dress myself, hoping to squeeze a few more minutes of fishing out of my last day home. I got dressed and went downstairs for a quick breakfast.

What can I make without being noisy? A slice of bread with some butter will do fine.

I carved off a chunk of bread with the bread knife, and spread a ‘healthy’ coating of butter over it. Bread in mouth, I put on my shoes. As I was tying the laces there was a commotion upstairs, probably Hector and Donovin getting up for an early run. After retrieving my rod and tackle box from the shed, I worked my way through the town towards the park. I walked slower than usual, trying to burn into my memory as much of the town as I could. There was talk around town, people saying that the war would be over by christmas. The idea seemed naive, even to me. If Fritz was supposedly such a soft target, surely the Prussians would have crumbled by now. Folks really seemed to be just eating up all the posters, the radio messages of assured victory, it’s baffling. Everyone was eager to get revenge against a country that hasn’t wronged us, it makes no sense, at least for me.

Reaching the park I follow the path to about the halfway mark. Turning off the cobblestone walkway I worked my way through the trees to a pond that was situated near the outer fencing of the park. Fishing is my only source of entertainment, and my only chance to get away from the family when I needed to. No one else enjoyed it, all saying that “it’s boring”. Perfectly fine by me. It gave me a break from mom nagging about chores, Hector and Donovin’s antics, and Ben’s cantankerous state whenever he gets writer’s block. Sure it wasn’t very exciting most of the time but it was peaceful, and I doubt there will be much peace and quiet in the coming months if not years.

I sat myself down on a log bench I had made a few visits ago, and started unpacking my box. I pulled out a tin full of nightcrawlers I’d collected the night before. Placing the fishing rod between my legs, I plucked a crawler from the tin and started to pierce it on the hook. Once through the head, then through the midsection, and lastly through the ass. I cast the line into the water and stuck the rod handle into a small hole I’d dug into the ground. Now it was simply a matter of waiting. I stared at the tip of the rod for around forty minutes before there was a nibble on the line. Blink and you would’ve missed the end of the rod dip in the air ever so slightly. I leaned over and grasped the handle, slowly taking the rod out of the hole. I just got my second hand on the reel when the rod lurched towards the water and took a sharp bend. Jerking the rod up and back I set the hook into whatever was on the line, and started a fifteen minute fight with the fish. In the end it was a decently sized lake trout. The town kept the water stocked due to people not releasing their catches. Using my pliers I removed the hook from the fish’s lips and tossed it back in the water. I skewered another worm onto the hook, cast it into the water and began the wait again.

Behind me I heard the sound of twigs snapping and dry leaves crunching. I assumed it was simply another person coming to fish, so I remained focused on the water and my fishing rod. The sounds came closer and arms were draped over my shoulders, her breath warm in my ear.

“Guess who?”

“Don’t need to. Who else would act this way Nancy?”

“Brrrr I think I need a jacket with how cold you’re being.” Nancy sat down beside me and swung her legs around to face the same way. “Where’s the sweet and nervous boy that asked me out, hmm?” I sighed, leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Oh what's this? Affection from Jonny? This is a rare treat I need to savor!” She scooted over on the log bench and pressed against me. I wrapped my left arm around her and continued to watch the water. We sat in silence for a moment, just enjoying each other's company.

“Are you scared? I’m scared. For you, my dad, especially Carl. You know how he can be, never standing up for himself.”

“Ya he is quite the pushover.”

“Don’t be rude.”

“Wa - you said it first!”

“But I’m his sister. I'm allowed to say that.”

“...To answer you… yes. Frankly I’m terrified and I don't understand how people can parade around town praising the war and are just itching to fight. So many will die, and so many are willing to do so. I want to go to university, become a teacher and inspire students to achieve their aspirations. I want to…”

God dammit I’m embarrassing myself.

“I want to… you know, get married and have kids.” I tried to withdraw from Nancy but she only held me tighter. My face was hot and I could only imagine how red it became.

“But I can’t do any of that if I catch a bullet with my skull.”

“I don’t know what I can say or do to comfort you Jonny. This is just the way the world is right now. All we can do is pray that we can make it through this conflict whole, in body and mind. Also your fishing rod is bent in half. Is it supposed to do that?”

I jumped up off the log, nearly knocking Nancy over.

“Why didn’t you say anything!”

“We were having a moment! It’s like pulling teeth trying to get you to open up! Why would I throw away the opportunity?”

“You shouldn’t have mentioned the rod then!”

“I thought it was broken!”

“Shit this fish has a lot of fight.”

“You’re going to have another fight on your hands pretty soon.” I glanced over my shoulder to see Nancy standing with her arms crossed, and the cutest pouting face I’d seen. Priorities Jonathan. There will always be fish in the pond, but there won’t be another Nancy. I drew my knife from its sheath and cut the line.

“Common Nancy, let's get something to eat at the Koch bakery.” After packing up my gear, she took my arm and we headed for the town centre.