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It was another beautiful April day, and Jenni found it extremely hard to believe that the weather could change so much by tomorrow.
“Come on, let’s get started,” Caitlin said breezily as she parked the truck, hopped out, and went into the bed for the rods and some bait. “You’ll definitely want to wear your gloves tomorrow, but for today, you can use your hands to bait the hook.”
Jenni grimaced. “No, thanks, I’ll learn with the gloves on since you say I’ll need them tomorrow, and honestly…”
Caitlin laughed. “I know, you don’t want to touch any bait. Well, just watch me now and do what I do.”
For the next two hours, Caitlin took the time to show Jenni how to bait a hook, how to hold the rod, and finally how tocast. At first, Jenni felt awkward, and her baited hook plopped miserably just a few yards from where she stood.
“Don’t try to heave it out there,” coached Caitlin. “Hey, we played tennis. You know how the racket does the work. Same thing. Let the rod do the work. Nice and easy. Just don’t ever forget to flip the bail. It’s the thing that lets the line fly freely when you cast.”
“And what happens if I don’t?”
“You’ll see your bait go flying such a long way, and you’ll feel really good, until you realize your fishing line has snapped, and you’ve lost your entire rig.”
“Oh. And then what? Can I quit fishing?”
“Um, that would be a no,” stated Caitlin. “It would mean one of us would have to teach you how to put on a new one with the knots and all because we can’t do it for you. In fact, since you mentioned it, let’s do that now.”
Jenni wanted to say there’s no need. She’d remember to flip the bail. She wouldn’t make a mistake like that, would she?
Regardless, for the next hour, she watched Caitlin and tried to do it on her own. Her frustration was reaching a high point when she finally succeeded.
“You go, girl!” Caitlin hollered. “I’ll make you an angler yet!”
Jenni glanced around mortified. But no one seemed to notice. Everyone else on the beach anywhere near them was either actively fishing or grabbing a sandwich and a drink with their rod in a holder. They weren’t paying a bit of attention to her.
But noticing the food made her intensely hungry again.
Caitlin must have noticed the same thing. She took out her phone and glanced at the time.
“Wow, we’ve been out here a while. Let’s go grab a bite to eat at Marcie’s, and then we can try again this afternoon.”
It was clear that Marcie’s was the spot for lunch. Even though it was well past lunch hour, the parking lot was heaving, and Caitlin only found a spot because someone pulled out just as they drove up.
“Doesn’t look so special from the outside.” Jenni looked at the cedar shake building with the ramshackle porch and tilted sign that might have been hand-painted.
“Ah, looks are deceiving. I guess, years ago when you came, this wasn’t here. But it is an institution now. And Marcie’s shrimp baskets are to die for. You’ll see.”
There was a bit of a line even at that hour, so Jenni took it all in as they stepped inside.
She noticed a very attractive older woman, with bobbed blonde hair and a bright blue Marcie’s t-shirt, smiling and chatting to guests as she gave orders to the kitchen and the servers. “Who’s that?”
“That would be Marcie. She is something else.”
“She’s really pretty.” Jenni scanned the menu.
“I heard she was Miss North Carolina once upon a time.” Caitlin nodded. “She’s got beauty and brains, and she’s made a small fortune here, I’m guessing. But the thing is, she’s got a personality to match.”
By then, they had reached the head of the line, and Marcie motioned for them to have a seat while she bussed the table. “Well, Caitlin Thomas. How are you? Are you here for the tournament?” Marcie asked.
“Yep, glad to be back for this one. And this is my college roommate, believe it or not, Jenni Satterwaite—ah, I mean, Kirk,” Caitlin stammered as she remembered Jenni had gone back to her maiden name. “Sorry, Jenni.”
Jenni smiled warmly at Marcie. “It’s very nice to meet you. I’ve been hearing so many good things about this place. Can’t wait to try a shrimp basket.”
“Make that two, please.” Caitlin turned her head to the side a bit. “Hey, is that the Smiths I see over there?”
“Yep,” said Marcie. “And SeaAnna and Mike are in town too. You know Mike’s taken to offshore fishing in a big way, but I think they are here just for fun. Chris and Susan will be judging. And I believe Jo will be here for the weekend, coming over from Belhaven. Now, let me put your order in.”
