Fish Story

“It’s only an allegory, sweetheart. No one really died in the lake. You know how rumors get started in the country like this. Look how peaceful it is, especially this time of year, with the chill in the air. It will be completely covered in ice soon.”

Janet looked out over the lake and couldn’t help but feel a shiver. It seemed an ominous scene to her, neither pleasant or relaxing, but it was James’ idea to come for the weekend. James opened the dusty cabin and prepared a fire and the special bottle of cognac he brought. A simple dinner was quick and then they settled in for the night.

Being the dutiful wife of twenty-five years, Janet thought this attempt at a romantic getaway would spark something in her husband, but they quietly ate dinner, drank the cognac for dessert and went to bed. She assumed their lack of romance was due to the exhaustive drive to the remote cabin.

The next morning Janet felt a bit dizzy when she stood up from the bed. She had slept unusually well. James was outside getting the rowboat onshore that was previously hidden by the scraggly log. After some effort, he placed an oar on the side, some fishing equipment, and helped Janet into the boat. She asked about a life jacket since she was not a swimmer, and James looked at her with astonishment.

“What? Don’t you think I could save you if for some ridiculous reason you fell overboard? Just try to relax.” James had brought the cognac and a blanket into the boat and encouraged her to relax, sip the liquor and enjoy. He rowed out to the middle of the lake where ice was starting to form. Janet was freezing but kept sipping the drink to warm herself up. She felt so relaxed she thought she might fall asleep.

“Are you cold my dear?” James asked as he motioned for Janet to get the blanket he brought. As she rose up to grab the blanket, she lost her balance and fell out of the boat into the freezing water. James knew a body could only be in that temperature water for fifteen minutes. He busied himself with the fishing tackle.

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