The Mud Hole by Bob Johnson

Claudia looked intensely at her boyfriend for the longest time before she spoke.

“It’s been almost two years; you can do this.” She said with encouragement.

Danny didn’t say anything but kept his eyes on the two-track road. The tall grass between the paths brushed the underside of the old Chevy producing a strange flapping sound, the autumn hatch of grasshoppers trying desperately to jump out of the way.

Claudia reached out and gently grabbed his forearm.

“You haven’t said a single word since we started down the river breaks road. It’ll be okay, I know it will. You just have to get past what happened.” She said quietly.

Danny turned quickly to his girlfriend and blurted out, “I know, I know all that! I’m here aren’t I?”

Claudia, a bit startled by the outburst, moved from the center of the front seat, and reached for her towel. She opened the passenger door and began to slide out.

“You’re coming, right?” she said.

Danny turned to her before speaking, “I’ll be there in a few.”

“If we don’t see you in ten minutes, the whole gang will be back here to drag you out of this car, do you hear me!” Claudia said forcefully and shut the door with an unintended force.

She walked toward the old growth of cottonwood trees shadowing the edge of the river. Danny watched her move so gracefully. He thought himself a lucky kid to have such a beautiful girlfriend. And that body!

Danny looked at the collection of four other vehicles parked in the same area. He knew who was probably in the water right now, just from recognizing the cars. It was small town familiarity for sure.

He stared out the front window, unmoving.

“Get out and enjoy the day, Danny boy.” a barely familiar voice suddenly broke the silence from the other side of the car.

Danny looked to his right.  He was stunned and wide eyed at the sight of his old friend, and just as quickly felt an anger creep into his mind.

“Why did you have to dive. I told you not to go head first until we had checked the bottom. You knew the spring runoff changed things in the Mud Hole. No, you had to be the first one off the tall bank, didn’t you.” Danny said in admonishment and looked over to see his best friend, Mark, sitting next to him, wearing nothing but a swimming suit.

“I know, I had to show off. I heard you yelling up at me but I ignored you. I figured it was safe. I’m sorry, man.” Mark answered in a quiet even voice.

“The river was so muddy you could have at least checked around the dive area beforehand. Why didn’t you?” Danny asked, his voice cracking.

“Honestly, I didn’t even think about it, I just saw the ledge up above, and the water down below, and everybody watching, so I went for it.” Mark answered.

“And when you came up floating on your face, I thought you were faking, so I ignored you.” Danny lamented.

Mark looked out the front window then back at his lifelong friend before explaining, “I was already gone. I hit that bank full on and broke my neck. It was over and I didn’t feel a thing.

Danny was crying while he did his best to explain, “You kept floating and I couldn’t grab you. I had to get out the river and run along the bank to catch up to you. That current was really strong and taking you downstream.”

“I know, I saw you coming. I was somehow strangely hovering above the whole scene. Thank you for nabbing me when you did, and also using that CPR we learned in Boy Scouts. But like I said, it was too late.” Mark explained.

“You had been my best friend, and you still are. I haven’t forgotten all the fun times we had, and all the trouble we got into, too. I don’t want one stupid act on my part to cause you any more pain. I love you too much to let that happen.” Mark, continuing in a quiet soothing voice, said.

“Please get on with your life and remember me. I’m doing just fine. I’ve got to go now, but it was wonderful to talk with you again, Danny boy. See ya.” He said with a smile then vanished in an instant.

Dan looked over at the now empty space and whispered, “I miss you, but will always remember you, man.”

He sat quietly with his head bowed for what seemed to be eons, then raised his chin enough to notice that Claudia hadn’t made it to the tree line yet. He beeped the horn of his Chevy, grabbed his towel and goggles and jumped out of the car.

“Wait for me.” He yelled.