Cypress

Chapter 2

The truck bounces over the uneven road. Louisiana was never big on even roads, to much water and soggy ground. The spring air fills the cab of the truck but with it comes the humidity of a fast approaching summer. Fin yells, "Look the sign, the sign. He reads it out loud, "Cypress Bayou two miles ahead." I look at dad he appears shaken. His face looks weakened. Dad, what's wrong. He stares at the road oblivious to what I said. Dad! He turns and says, "nothing, just, been thinking about y'all mother that's all, nothing to worry about boys." He always treasured her, anything she ever wanted he made sure she got it. But, I know him better then this he's running from something, the question is what. I look back at the road and see the dock up ahead. The cypress trees waving in the wind, the water resting at their feet. Dad throws the truck into park final after fiddling with the gear. Mom always loved it out here boys, it was a place where she could separate herself from the world, now let's get to the boat. I open the door and my feet slam into the broken pavement. The wind wraps around me and for a second the heat vanishes. I order Fin to put his life jacket on, he mutters a few angry words under his breath, but then throws the jacket over his shoulders. We follow Dad to the dock and he points out the boat. Fin climbs in and I follow. The metal is hot scorched by the sun, but bearable. Dad starts the motor and I untie the ropes. His face looses its tension and he becomes more relaxed, calm, once on the smokey water of the bayou.