One perk to my job is that I get to assign trips to lobster samplers, including myself. So, naturally, I claimed my home port to cover for lobster sampling. This weekend I called a few of my local fisherman friends and, sure enough, Freddie said he’d be pleased to take me fishing today.
When I pulled into the parking lot at the town landing at 5am, my first familiar thought was wondering if I’d be able to pick out the captain and boat in the dark. But there was Freddie on his boat on the mooring. I gathered my sampling gear and headed for the dock. Sure 'nough, in pulled Cap right behind me! When I approached him in the dark, hoping not to startle him, he was waffling on whether it was worth burning the fuel to get to his traps when he wasn’t going to find much in them. I recognized his contemplative stalling. I gave him a big hello and a firm handshake. He seemed surprised and pleased to see me.
Freddie greeted me with his familiar thick Maine drawl “Hey girrrrrl!” He ran up to carry my basket of gear down the ramp even though I could get it. His first remark was (still) that he didn’t see a diamond on my hand yet. The comment cuts a little more at age 31 than it did at age 21, but I know it’s well-intended. He wants me to find a good man who will take care of me.
Freddie and I had a great day of catching up. He goes single-handed, so I acted as his sternlady for the day, measuring lobsters and making relevant notes as I worked. I filled bait bags, baited the traps, measured and banded lobsters just like the good ol’ days. Except this time I was a scientist collecting biological data as well as a sternlady. At one point during the day, Freddie’s friend pulled up alongside us to chat and Joe asked if I was a sternlady (yes, he used that word) or an observer. And I enthusiastically said “Both!” Joe replied “Good for you,” smiling at my enthusiasm no doubt. I was enthusiastic, because the position fulfills both my love of working on the water as well as my intellectual needs. It’s a nice blend of science and fishing.
Another local friend, Craig, called Freddie on the radio, curious to see another body on Freddie's boat. I saw Craig’s boat off by Pond Island and was amazing that he spotted me on the deck from that distance. Not even the slightest change gets by fisherman. Freddie explained that it was me and that I was “working like hell.” Craig said “Oh, yeah, and she’s a good-looking girl too!” Even though I’m not married and popping out kids, at least I'm still considered an eligible bachelorette.
9:00 am rolled around and Freddie presented me with a nutty bar and gingerale that I adamantly refused since it was his lunch, but he said he’d be offended if I didn’t eat them, so I obliged. We are equal parts stubborn, but offending a friend is my limit (and he knew it). Then noon approached and he kicked the boat out of gear, producing an extra bologne sandwich and another soda for me. He brought twice his usual food to share with me! I couldn’t say no, but insisted that he have some birthday cake that my mom packed for me. We had quite a feast.
All aspects of the day were familiar including the soul-soothing views of a clear summer day in The Sound and the thrill when Freddie declared the long day as over. We steamed into the harbor straight to the dock where Fred’s brother bought our lobsters, greeting and leaving us with a friendly nod and choosing his few words well. Freddie wanted to give me some lobsters to take home if he couldn’t pay me for the day and I had the valid protestation that the state doesn’t condone gifts. I calmed him by accepting some cucumbers that he grew. He then insisted on carrying my basket back up to the truck and we greeted his parents who were parked at the landing watching the goings on of their sons as they do every day. Not a bad way to pass time.
Thank God that some things never change. Life has a way of working out just fine.
No comments:
Post a Comment