The boy came by and said the captain was ready to take us out. We thanked him and gave him a dollar. He smoothed it out against the thigh of his rolled-up trousers and then slipped it reverently into the pocket of his shirt.
Thanking us, he picked his heavy bait bucket and walked down the beach.
We ate quickly and dressed and followed his footprints, one shallow, one deep, to the docks. The captain squinted and said the wind was blowing right and warm and we’d surely hook a good-sized marlin if we left now, before the currents changed.
Prompt courtesy of Friday Fictioneers. Read more stories here.
A Bunch of Dumb Words in a Row 
This is such a good story! I love the description of your characters, and the way they interact. I have a literary blog myself, and I love Hemingway more than any writer. I see so much of him in your work! Well done.
Thanks, that is quite the compliment. I was going for a “Hemingwayesque” story, glad I didn’t mangle it too badly.
Well it sure is a great story. There’s not enough Hemingway in today’s fiction.
Great atmosphere – your title puts me in mind of that trace adkins hit. Your story, not such much, but the title still adds a great deal to it and makes the experience that bit richer.
I’ve been thinking about the way I use titles recently, and I guess my experiment succeeded if it is “richer” as you say. Thanks a bunch for reading.
I have a love/hate relationship with titles. Sometimes I feel I’ve got the perfect one and it’s a double entendre or it explains the story or add something; other times I scratch about and put any old thing on top. This was a good one, I’d say.
Nice one.
Thanks Dawn.
Dear Craig,
Great description in the footprints. A well told story with a great title.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle.
Very short, very powerful. I felt like I was there. Nothing more needs to be said.
Thanks Martin.
Wow. So good!! One shallow one deep is brilliant!
Thanks! I thought of that just before bed last night and rushed to get it in. hahhah.
Oh I love when the happens and you actually are able to write it down before you forget it!
Craig, this is wonderful. You’ve made me wish to read on, but then, this is flash fiction.
Wanting to read more is a terrific compliment, thanks