Where the Tiny Vampires Swim

I never learned to befriend the tiny monsters who live in watery shadows

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

Dad is standing at the river’s edge. With a fishing rod in hand, he waits for a bite. Uncle Rob and I sit on dry grass a few feet away, poles discarded to the left of us.

I feel bad that I’m not fishing right now; after all, Dad brought me down here to teach me how to fish, but right now, I can’t take my eyes off my uncle’s…