South of Heaven Read Online Free PDF Page B

glanced down the pier at Lindsey who was concentrating intensely on her line. Her facial expressions led Kendra to believe she had a nibbler.
    She watched as Lindsey slowly retracted her line. The lights from the pier illuminated the sandy bottom about ten feet out from the pier. Lindsey turned toward her when the crab came into view to make sure Kendra was ready with the net. Kendra walked next to her and extended the net in the direction of the crab. “Bring him on in,” she whispered.

     
    Kevin watched the two women as they worked together. Kendra was slightly taller, but Lindsey was just as lean and muscled as his daughter from hard days of working on a shrimp boat for most of her life. Both women were staring intently into the water as they followed the rapid approach of the hungry crab. He watched as Kendra scooped the crab in the net with a cry of excitement, and then he turned back to the tugging he felt on his line.
    Kevin followed her movement as Kendra emptied the crab into the bucket while Lindsey cast out again. He returned his eyes to the line he was slowly bringing in.
    “You got one on the way, Dad?” Kendra asked.
    “Yep, so come on down so you can scoop him up.”

     
    Kendra lowered the net into the water as she walked toward her dad. They had caught crabs together ever since she could remember. Sure, it was easier when they were caught in the shrimp nets, but it was so much more fun and sporting to catch them together. She couldn’t count the nights they had spent together, sitting side by side, as one would tease the crab close and the other would scoop them into a net. Some of their most important discussions had been made while they crabbed for dinner, the last being Kevin’s decision to retire. He had been dropping hints for several months, but her heart still raced in her chest when he slipped an arm around her shoulders.
    “The time has come for you to take the helm. You’ve worked hard and I’ve nothing left to teach you.”
    She remembered the tears in her eyes when she looked up at him and nodded. “I know I’m ready, but I don’t want you to stop fishing with me.”
    “I’ll still come aboard now and then, but she’s all yours now. You’ve earned the right to be her captain.”
    “Are you going to get him or do I need to?” Kevin asked her now.
    “Sorry, Dad, I was out there for a second,” she carefully netted the crab.
    “I noticed.” He grinned. “Everything all right?”
    “Yeah, just reliving a memory,” she answered, and then lifted the net and carried the crab to the bucket.
    For the next two hours, she moved between Lindsey and her dad, plucking the crabs they lured from the water until they had two of the large buckets full of crab.
    “This should be plenty to accompany the fish and some hushpuppies,” Kevin finally stated.
    “I’ll make some slaw to go along with them, too, if you’d like,” Lindsey offered.
    “That sounds good, but you’ll have to stop at the market for cabbage during your tour,” he told them.
    “Not a problem, Dad,” Kendra replied. “If you’ll get the lines and net, we can carry the buckets.”
    “That’s fine. Place them in the wet well to keep them fresh. We can clean them when we get back in tomorrow.” Kevin tossed the extra turkey necks into the water to feed the remaining crab.

    †

    The walk home was decidedly slower than the trip down and Kendra slowed her pace. She could see her dad’s joints had stiffened while they were crabbing and she could tell he was in pain as they walked the short distance. When they reached the house, his limp was very evident.
    “Let me have the net and lines and we’ll meet you inside in a few.”
    Without giving him a chance to argue, she pushed him towards the door. She took the gear and watched him limp painfully up the walk before walking toward the garage.
    “It’s hard to see them slowing down, isn’t it?” Lindsey asked.
    “Yeah, he’s always been my rock,” Kendra