The Fisherman's Greatest Catch |Book 2

Chapter 1

July 12th

The day I met him.

Peter

″PETER! I'M GONNA SELL THAT BOAT OF YOURS IF YOU DON'T BRING IN SOME MONEY, YA HEAR?″ My mother shouted from her room. My eyes immediately widened at her words. My heart pounded against my chest a mile a minute, the tears welling up in my eyes threatening to spill down my cheeks. She can't take my boat away... we really wouldn't have any money then. It would be much harder to go fishing.

″Mama, I'm sorry... I'm gonna go out today, I promise.″ I reassured her as I walked into her room. She was lying carelessly on the bed with sweat beating down her forehead, her brown hair stuck to her forehead.

″You best catch somethin' today, boy... your father keeps usin' all the money on that stupid alcohol he likes to buy. I'm tryin' to make him stop, but he doesn't wanna listen to me.″ She muttered, waving a fan in front of her face. I frowned at her words, looking down at the ground. I didn't want to meet her eyes.

″I'm trying, mama. The fish haven't been biting lately.″ I admitted. She let out a deep sigh at my words, attempting to pull herself up in the bed. She couldn't.

″Maybe the mermaids are fishin' themselves, Peter.″ She said to me. I scoffed at her words, feeling the smile linger onto my lips. If only it were that easy.

″I hope so, mama. Ben keeps complaining his tummy hurts, I know he's hungry...″ I said in almost a whisper.

″He's a big boy, Peter. Your big brother is gonna be just fine, I'm gonna be just fine. You just go fishin' now, alright? Don't stress about it. Mama loves you, Peter.″ she said.

″I love you too, mama.″

walked out of her room without another word. It seemed like I burst through the front door with determination, gathering my best rope, bait, and fishing poles. Ben watched me with an amused look as I gathered my things together, leaning his body weight on his cane.

″You goin' fishing now, Pete? Mama done chewin' your ass out?″ He asked me, his deep voice filling my ears. I gathered the fishing gear in my arms, turning towards him with an annoyed huff. The smirk on his sculpted face grew wider at my expression.

″She's just worried about the bank, Ben. I'm the only one who's bringin' in money, you know.″ I replied to him. He nodded his head, his dark brown curls following his movements. He let out a deep sigh, motioning towards the sky.

″It's hot out, Pete. You best bring some water with ya- You know what, maybe I should come to help.″ He said in a rush. I immediately shook my head, flashing him a reassuring smile.

″Ben, We both know you'll be cryin' in pain once you step on my boat. Your looks don't match your health.″ I said to him. He let out a deep laugh, nodding his head in agreement.

Ben was known as the handsome hunk in town. His curly brown locks sat perfectly on his head, his eyes a nice chocolate brown that he got from my Mama. His sculpted jawline is what really gets the girls talking, along with his built body. Though he looked good physically, he had a lot of things wrong with him since birth. He had a bad back, bad legs, bad shoulders. He can't work without crying out in pain.

″I'd come with ya to keep you some company, but it's just too darn hot out. On a cool day, I'll come with ya to just chill out. Alright, Pete?″ He reassured me.

″Alright, Benny. I'll be back before dinner.″ I told him, waving goodbye to him as I approached the dock. I threw my hat on my head with my free hand, clenching the fishing gear close to my chest.