Waterlogged

“Daddy,” Gabrielle said, her brown ponytail twirling through the air as she turned to face me. “Someone’s here.”

I stood from my kitchen chair to get a better view, my eyes bulging at the sight as I peered through the window.

“Damn it,” I muttered.

“What is it, Jacob?” Amy asked, seated at the kitchen table.

I looked to Gabrielle. “Go to your room, honey.”

“Why?”

“Just do it please.”

Gabrielle nodded and soon disappeared from view.

“It’s Caleb,” I said, meeting my wife’s gaze.

“So,” she replied, her chocolate eyes unflinching.

“I’m late on the payment, and he rarely visits unless it’s a business matter.”

“He’ll understand.”

I shook my head.

“You’ve known Caleb all of your life,” Amy said. “You went to school together.”

“Maybe so, but it doesn’t mean I get a free pass. I’ve heard what he’s capable of.”

“And what is he capable of?” she asked in a dismissive tone, as if I was the unhinged one.

I didn’t expect her to believe the rumors, and I didn’t have time to elaborate.

“Nothing you’d want to hear about,” I finally said.

A knocking at the door followed.

“Go upstairs with Gabrielle,” I said. “And get the gun just to be safe.”

“Jacob,” Amy said, getting to her feet. “This is ridiculous.”

“Then humor me please.”

She gawked at me and huffed. “Fine.”

Amy stormed off, leaving me to ponder.

Then came another knocking at the door. This one louder than the first.

“Jacob,” a voice shouted. “It’s Caleb.”

I exited the kitchen and walked into the foyer, taking a deep breath as I gripped the doorknob. When I pulled open the door, a stocky man with a salt-and-pepper beard stared back at me, his lips stretching into a grin.

“Jacob,” Caleb said. “Sorry if I’m disturbing you.”

“No. Not at all. How are you?”

“Not bad. And how about you?”

I was tempted to lie, but perhaps my story would garner some sympathy from Caleb.

“It’s been a rough season,” I admitted.

Caleb bobbed his head in apparent agreement.

“The excessive rain has hampered a lot of the crops,” I said. “And I’ve had to keep the dairy cows inside, which has raised feeding costs. I can’t risk them being exposed to the wet and muddy conditions. It can impact their milk production and even lead to infection.”

“I get it,” Caleb said. “I’m a city guy now, but I haven’t forgotten how to farm. Crops need air, and too much water can rob them of that.”

I nodded. “I’m sorry that I’m late on this month’s payment.”

“Yeah. I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that.”

A car horn caused me to flinch, and that’s when I noticed a passenger in Caleb’s black SUV. Caleb glimpsed the vehicle and nodded, motioning for them to get out. The passenger-side door opened, and a man emerged.

It was Toby, Caleb’s right-hand man. He was tall, clean-cut, and well-built. Toby was known for his power of persuasion. Unfortunately, he didn’t use words as much as he did violence in getting people to comply.

I swallowed as Toby approached the front porch. He climbed the steps, carrying a small cooler in one hand. Toby sidled up to Caleb and handed him the cooler. Then Toby pulled something from the front pocket of his pants. My eyes widened when I saw the switchblade.

“This isn’t necessary,” I stuttered.

“Don’t worry,” Caleb said. “You’ll enjoy this.” That grin of his appeared again.

Caleb popped the top on the cooler and handed something to Toby. I couldn’t quite make out what it was, though. Was it a finger? One that belonged to another loan recipient who hadn’t paid? Or maybe it was a toe. Toby had a reputation for severing body parts, if the stories were true, and I feared I was about to be his next victim.

Toby grasped the object and cupped it in his hand, then worked his blade into it. I still couldn’t tell what it was, but the sight of his actions caused me to cringe. When Toby was finished with the knife, he held out his palm, revealing the contents.

“Take it,” Toby said.

“What is this?” I asked.

“What does it look like?” Caleb replied.

“An oyster.”

“Right. You like oysters, don’t you?”

I deliberated. “Yeah. Sure.”

“Then try it.”

I hesitated, and I couldn’t help but wonder. Was it tainted in some way?

“Come on,” Caleb demanded.

What was the worst thing that could happen by eating it? Other than becoming violently ill or even dying from it. Assuming Caleb had it in for me.

I grasped the oyster shell, raised it to my mouth, and tilted my head back, depositing the oyster into my mouth. It was smooth and buttery as it slid down my throat.

“So,” Caleb said. “What do you think?”

If I wasn’t so suspicious of Caleb’s intent, I would have enjoyed the oyster more. But I had to admit it was pretty damn good. Maybe the best I’d ever had.

“Second to none,” I said.

Caleb nodded and smiled. “That’s what I wanted to hear.” He held out the cooler to me. “There’s a dozen more in here. A gift for you and the family. I think Amy will enjoy them. Maybe even Gabrielle.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Despite all of the rain, the restaurant’s been booming,” Caleb said. “So much so that I’m willing to give you an extension on your loan payment.”

I was at a loss for words.

“You can’t control the weather,” Caleb continued. “I knew the risks when I offered you the loan. I still expect to get a return on my investment, but I’m willing to cut you some slack.”

“I don’t know what to say,” I managed to spit out. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

I took the cooler from Caleb and chucked the empty oyster shell inside before closing the lid.

“Give Amy and Gabrielle my regards,” Caleb said.

“Sure thing.”

“Enjoy those oysters, and I’ll talk to you soon.”

Caleb turned and descended the steps, Toby following on his heels. I watched as they got into the SUV, giving them a wave of the hand as they backed out of the driveway.

I closed the front door, the sound of footsteps arriving a few seconds later. When I spun around, Amy and Gabrielle stood at the bottom of the stairs.

“How’d it go?” Amy asked.

“Better than expected,” I said. “Caleb’s giving me more time to get the money together.”

“That’s great. I told you he’d understand.” Amy lowered her gaze, eying the cooler in my hand. “What’s that?”

“A gift from Caleb. Want to see?”

Amy nodded, and Gabrielle ran to look. I raised the top so they could catch a peek. I couldn’t believe my eyes. My mouth hung agape, and I lost my grip on the cooler. It fell to the floor, hitting the hardwoods and nearly tipping over. I took a step back, panting from the shock of it. 

“Oysters,” Gabrielle shouted.

“What?” I said.

“Oysters,” Gabrielle repeated, clearly excited.

I inched toward the cooler and bent over, craning my neck. Gabrielle was right. But I saw fingers and toes in the cooler. I could have sworn it. Unless the oyster I ate was laced with a hallucinogenic.

I felt a hand on my shoulder.

“Are you okay?” Amy asked.

“Uh-huh,” I finally said, trying to compose myself. “Sorry about that. It slipped out of my hands.”

Amy pressed her lips to my cheek. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll put them in the fridge.”

“Maybe we should just throw them away.”

“What? Why?”

I figured a white lie wouldn’t hurt, especially if my hunch proved to be correct. “They may have gone bad.”

Amy’s brow furrowed. “Don’t be silly. They’ve been in the cooler the entire time, and they’ll keep just fine in the fridge.” She paused. “Are you sure you’re okay? You’ve seemed a little on edge lately.”

I swallowed and forced a smile. “I’m good.”

“Alright then.”

Amy picked up the cooler and headed toward the kitchen, Gabrielle tagging along behind her. 

“I knew everything would work out,” Amy said, her voice trailing off as she and Gabrielle disappeared into the kitchen.

“Yeah,” I replied. But my voice lacked conviction.

Truth be told, I wasn’t convinced everything was going to be okay. Far from it, in fact. I’d been under a lot of pressure ever since the soaking rains began, and the stress of trying to make ends meet was taking its toll on me. I couldn’t admit that to Amy, though. She would only worry about me.

But one thing was certain. I wasn’t going to let my family eat those oysters. I trashed them later that day when Amy wasn’t around. She gave me plenty of grief for it, but I much preferred to get an earful from her than face the potential consequences of eating them.

When I turned ill that evening, I knew I’d done the right thing. Some would have called me paranoid, but I’d disagree. I was protecting my family, and I’d do just about anything to keep them safe. 

-END-