David Banner [Banner - Still Waters

Ryan tightened his grip around the pole and began pulling in his catch. Fishing wasnt something that came naturally to the man but his young daughter requested they spend their last morning on the water. Besides, his little girl was getting older and soon enough she would be too busy for things like easy mornings on the water. She was becoming a woman before his eyes. Sometimes he found it hard to believe just how fast time moved.

What? Carly cocked her head. Youve been staring at me for like two minutes.

Two minutes isnt a long time.

It is when someone is staring you in the face, she mused. Are you having a stroke or something?

I was just looking, he grinned. Youre growing up so quickly.

Dad, she rolled her eyes. Come on, not with this again...

What?

Youre growing up youre becoming a young woman. The young girl deadpanned. Soon enough you wont have time for me. Blah, blah, blah Its cool. Im getting older. We all are. Can we not make it a whole thing every time-

Carlys pole snapped loose from her hands. She dove forward, catching it just before it fell over the side of her fathers small fishing boat. It was the first bit either of the two had gotten all morning and Ryan wasnt about to let it get away.

Hold it tight, he gripped her hands. Steady yourself and start reeling.

I know how to- the pole snapped back as whatever was on the other end of that line tried desperately to free itself. A thick hot breeze blew his daughters curly blonde hair up and into his eyes. He shook his head free of the long tendrils and once again took his daughters hands.

Pull back, then quickly reel. Do it like that over and over again.

With her fathers help Carly Devereux began slowly working the large fish closer and closer. After a few moments her father stepped back and let her take the reigns. She had his strength, he thought. She was the perfect blend of his and Jillians best traits.

There! Ryan snapped as a large catfish leapt out of the water. Its a catfish. Can you bring it in or do you-

I got this! She replied. Just hang back.

You got it, he held up both palms.

There are times in every persons life when they have to do things for themselves, when they have to take control and be independent. Sure, it was only a fishing line but for Ryan Devereux it was a symbol of something more, a sign of things to come.

Carly was independent. Good, he thought. She would need to be if she were going to make it in this world. Ryan tried not to think about the world too much but every once in a while the bad parts seemed to seep in. Things like, crime, murder and the garbage fire of politics now permeated nearly every aspect of day to day life.

You okay? he asked after roughly ten minutes.

Fine! Carly snapped. Hes not getting away!

Good girl, her father answered.

Ryan took a seat and popped open a cold soda. Thered always been something about the way Coca-Cola tasted from a glass bottle that reminded him of his youth. The sweet flavor of better days filled his mouth, washing over his tongue in an ice cold medley of baseball games and drive in movies. He turned his eyes to the shore where he and Jackson Bennet had once spent so much of their days.

There was a lightness to him now, something easy and more hopeful. Ryan Devereux had made a decision, he was going to take things slow. He was going to find happiness wherever he could, even if that meant leaving a part of him behind.

Got it! Carly said as she pulled the large catfish from the water.

Twelve minutes. Her father smiled. Not bad, not bad

Psh, she scoffed and pulled the hook from its mouth. Faster than you could have done it.

Im not disagreeing with you there, he answered. Ill bet that thing weighs seven or eight pounds.

Carly beamed from ear to ear as her father pulled out his cellphone and snapped a photo. She held the large fish high, making sure to exaggerate its size as much as possible. It was unnecessary her father thought, especially since the fish was already so big but he wasnt about to say or do anything that might dampen her excitement.

Maybe we can do this more often, Ryan said. Now that Ill have so much free time.

Can I take the boat? She asked. Like with my friends?

And there it was, he thought. Another step away from him and into her own life. He couldnt blame her of course. After all he was young once too, just as the sweet taste of ice cold soda reminded him.

Ryan looked down, keeping his eyes focused on the beads of condensation as they rolled down the side of his curved bottle. The water could be a dangerous place and no one knew that more than him. Still though, maybe he should let her go.

When?

This weekend, she struggled to place the large fish in the small cooler. We should have brought a bigger bucket.

Its okay, he answered. We should probably head back.

Alright, she answered. I should probably study anyway. I have a test in two days and I havent even cracked the book.

Why?

Im sorry? Carly sat next to him.

Why havent you cracked the book? Her father asked. If you knew you had a test coming then why havent you studied?

Ive been busy, she answered. Besides, its a science test. Science comes naturally to me.

Tell you what, he began. Pass the test. Ninety four percent or higher. Do that and you can take the boat for a few hours on Saturday.

Ninety four percent! The young girl clapped back. How about eighty eight?

How about ninety four, he repeated. Ninety four or nothing.

And youll hold to that?

Have I ever lied to you?

Well then, Detective Devereux. You have yourself a deal. She extended her hand.

With a slight glimmer in his eye Ryan shook her hand then turned his gaze back toward the shore. Jillian Kent, his ex-wife stood next to the water with her eyes fixed on the pair. Her long white sundress caught the breeze as she lifted her hand to wave.

It had been just over a week since hed last seen her.

She was beautiful, he thought.

It seemed no matter how often he saw the woman or how many days passed since they last spoke the sight of her always seemed new and fresh. Ryan kept his eyes fixed to her soft sweet face as the small boat slowly made its ways closer.