Love on the Bayou

Old Bones

 He walked Frances home . Her smile was so sweet after he asked her to the dance that he felt like crying for joy. Not in front of her after all a macho man doesn't cry..   He slowly walked away he looked back briefly then took off faster... There was a  big splash in the bayou. He heard it growling whatever it was. Tom's old Nonc,told stories of "Old Bones" the big old alligator. They say he is 12 ft long and maybe over 50 years old. No one in their right mind has ever tried to catch him! He feeds off birds,raccoons,fish,dogs,cats and sometimes people. Dragging them into the water ,he wrestles and drowns them ,then swallows them  crunching up the bones and flesh . You shouldn't go swimming either  in that blackish water,cause  you never know when he might show up..Digging his flashlight out of his pocket he turned it on, almost dropping it , in his haste. Tom started trotting home faster. Tom's body is in good shape but he  was panting when he got home . Next time  he would bring his rifle when visiting  late in the evening.