Two heavyset women lifted the aluminum folding chairs from the back of their dusty red pickup truck. They carried the chairs, along with their poles, nets, and Styrofoam coolers, down the boat ramp that led to Phillippi Creek. When they reached the creek, the women traveled just a few yards along the water’s edge. They positioned their chairs in their usual spot, a place where the creek curved. The location afforded them a good view of any approaching alligators.
“Here we are, Gram,” said the younger of the two as she attached an umbrella to one of the folding chairs. “What do you think we’re goin’ to catch today?”
“Don’t know,” said the grandmother, “but I sure hope we do better than yesterday. I’m up to here with mullet.”
“I hope we get us some bluegill. We can pan-fry them tonight with some cornbread. Mmm-mmm. I can taste it now.”
“Well then, girl, put the corn on your hook and get it into that water.”
The younger woman did as she was told while the older woman opened one of the coolers. She took out the package of chicken legs she’d gotten from the trash container behind the grocery store. A bit too old for people, but still fine for what she wanted to catch.
“Come on, you little blue devils,” she urged as she buried the hook into the chicken leg and cast it out a few feet into the creek. She sat in her chair, leaning forward to peer into the calm, clear water so she could keep the chicken in her sight. Only a few minutes passed before she saw what she wanted to see. A big blue crab was attaching itself to the drumstick.
“Gotcha!” hissed the old lady with satisfaction as she stood up and grabbed one of the handheld nets. Slowly and carefully she pulled in the fishing line. When the crustacean was in reach, she slipped the net beneath it and scooped up her prize.
“That sure is a big one,” the younger woman said as she watched the crab struggling in the net. But even as she admired the catch, her eyes caught sight of something moving in the distance behind it. Something swaying gently in the morning breeze. When she realized what she was seeing, she began to scream.
Behind her grandmother, up the creek, a body was hanging from an old oak tree.