Such a well written story for what I remember as a panic show and who in the hell was Phil??!! I was only 6 or 7 so my memory of the story was a bit different, but I know I enjoyed your version of events so much more!
Two thoughts as I was reading this: One, my thesis script at Chapman film school was about a guy who was trying to catch the catfish that swallowed his dwarf father hole. These leads to confrontations with outlaws nuns, adolescent pickpocket gangs, and a family of furries. You would love it. And two, our new cat recently dive-bombed me from our headboard while I was sleeping. His little bastard feline claw hooked into my nose. My wife had to dislodge the razor blade from my nostril. It was the worst wake up call of my life. Much less satisfying than this charming tale of empathy.
Aloha Larry, this is storytelling catnip which opens like a nature documentary, swerves into slapstick, and lands on something surprisingly thoughtful. “I knew what it felt like to be a mackerel” is doing a lot of heavy lifting in the best way. Also, credit to Jeff for pioneering catch-and-release sibling fishing without even breaking the skin. Equal parts chaos and charm.
How much did you weigh? If it was nowadays and your folks had a smartphone with them, you could have had a great shot of Jeff holding you - his prize catch - in his arms!
So, do you do without the anchovy when ordering a caesar salad? Just asking…
Such a well written story for what I remember as a panic show and who in the hell was Phil??!! I was only 6 or 7 so my memory of the story was a bit different, but I know I enjoyed your version of events so much more!
The things we have to do to truly bond.
Two thoughts as I was reading this: One, my thesis script at Chapman film school was about a guy who was trying to catch the catfish that swallowed his dwarf father hole. These leads to confrontations with outlaws nuns, adolescent pickpocket gangs, and a family of furries. You would love it. And two, our new cat recently dive-bombed me from our headboard while I was sleeping. His little bastard feline claw hooked into my nose. My wife had to dislodge the razor blade from my nostril. It was the worst wake up call of my life. Much less satisfying than this charming tale of empathy.
Aloha Larry, this is storytelling catnip which opens like a nature documentary, swerves into slapstick, and lands on something surprisingly thoughtful. “I knew what it felt like to be a mackerel” is doing a lot of heavy lifting in the best way. Also, credit to Jeff for pioneering catch-and-release sibling fishing without even breaking the skin. Equal parts chaos and charm.
How much did you weigh? If it was nowadays and your folks had a smartphone with them, you could have had a great shot of Jeff holding you - his prize catch - in his arms!
They have nature in Orange County? Who’d have thought. This was well-written and enjoyable. You have a talent for suspense and pacing.