The berries gleamed in the morning sunlight, plump and wet with morning dew, the vines were loaded, I could almost taste their sweetness, they seemed to be calling to me. I have been known to walk miles to get the best berries before anyone else could get to them. I came here early before my friend, she always tried to beat me to the best ones.
I stepped onto the narrow cross walk and slowly started across, I was thinking about the berries and how good they would taste , suddenly my foot slipped and I fell over the side, my skirt caught on a nail or something, and was ripped from my waist. I caught hold of a rail and lifted myself up.
I sat there and cried, feeling sorry for myself, I must look like a naked water goddess, my bare wet bottom, shining in the sunlight. I heard someone call my name, "oh no" I thought, looking around, I saw my friend standing at the edge of the river, she was laughing so hard , she could hardly stand.
I stood very still, watching her. My boyfriend was sneaking up behind her, he reached out and grabbed her by the waist, picked her up and dipped her in the river, then sat her on the grass, he came across the walkway to where I sat, he handed me his shirt to tie around my waist, now, lets go get those yummy berries, he said. My friend was very wet and undignified looking. She stood up and stormed away, angrier than a wet hen.

Copyright © 2004 lois thurman