Every other weekend was their time to be together. Sam hated the custody agreement. Four days a month wasn’t enough time for him to be with his teenage son, Justin.
But that day, the two of them were spending the day fishing with friends.
Some guys at school had told Justin about a hot spot along the river just outside of town. Sam & Justin usually fished in ponds, and the river wasn’t a place they were familiar with. But they were excited to try something new.
Google image
The guys didn’t waste any time once they got to ‘the spot.’ Hooks were baited. Lines were cast. Life was good. It was nice for them to just hang out.
Everyone was standing barefoot in the shallow water.
It had rained the day before, and the river’s current was strong.
They were only a few feet into the water, and Sam was standing right beside Justin.
Then Justin walked a little further into the water & stepped off of a sudden drop-off. In less than a second, Justin was down in the water.
Sam felt Justin grab for his legs, and Sam tried to get a grasp on his son. But the current was too strong.
Justin was gone.
Water gives life. It also takes it away. Write a short piece – fiction or non-fiction – inspired by one or both of these statements.
*Unfortunately, this story was loosely inspired by a true story that happened last year here in town.
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
This can happen in a split second. I felt my heart jump as I read the closing sentences.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..A Quiet Quit Hand Signal
Twitter: haglerhappening
March 4, 2011 at 7:20 am
It’s a story that I obviously can’t get out of my head. I couldn’t even imagine…
Wow, how sad. I didn’t expect it to end so suddenly and so sad that it’s partly true
You are so good at fiction!!
This sinerio would be terrifying
OMG so sad and so sudden! A metaphor for life and how it can be swept away without warning. Nicely done!
Twitter: haglerhappening
March 4, 2011 at 11:00 am
Thanks Leighann. Water can be so peaceful AND very scary.
Twitter: haglerhappening
March 4, 2011 at 11:00 am
Thanks Jaime. I didn’t know the family, but I went to school with “Justin’s” mom. Very sad.
Twitter: haglerhappening
March 4, 2011 at 11:01 am
Theresa – I love that metaphor! So true.
I loved how quick and brutal this was, no embellishments, there one moment gone the next.
Jennifer recently posted..Drip and Run
How scary that something like that could really happen!
I just wasn’t prepared for the ending…wow.
such a happy moment turning so badly so quickly. You captured it perfectly.
That was quick and to the point. And with a sad ending none the less….
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Twitter: MothersHideaway
March 4, 2011 at 4:14 pm
This is heart wrenching. This is one of my biggest fears, that while doing something so ordinary something extraordinary happens. So painful.
Sara recently posted..Water Rushed Down
That is so tragic. It’s scary how things can change in an instant like that.
Twitter: smtwngrl
March 4, 2011 at 7:42 pm
Well written. You managed to fit so much into such a short piece.
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Twitter: mommylebron
March 4, 2011 at 9:30 pm
Wow, how scary? And it’s a true story? I can’t even imagine…
Mommylebron recently posted..The Red Dress Club- Loch Beatha Bas
Oh my God! This actually happened? I have chills.
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Twitter: madsbloggingmom
March 5, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Having spent many summers, swimming, fishing and canoeing in rivers in my youth, I have seen what you described here. You’ve captured the spirit of the river and its danger very well.
Mad Woman behind the Blog recently posted..No water- no life No blue- no green
Twitter: haglerhappening
March 6, 2011 at 12:09 am
Now that I’m a mother, I realize how powerful & dangerous water can be. I used to completely enjoy it, but now I see potential danger for my kids all the time.
Wow, Jill, that’s really sad. I can’t even imagine having life snatched away like that – especially if it were my child.
Twitter: ashatshades
March 7, 2011 at 5:47 am
I can’t even fathom. I have a healthy respect for the ocean. I will now remember that a river can be just as tricky. Horrible.
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Oh this story gave me chills. That would be the worst thing I can imagine
Mom Went Crazy recently posted..I’d Like the Thank…
Oh this story gave me chills. You managed to fit so much into such a short piece.
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