Hena was pacing back and forth, cradling her enlarged stomach. How stupid she was, how horrible of a decision, how easy it was to fall for him. His crimson hair, his sparkling blue eyes, and his sophisticated vocabulary.
All of those things that made him him.
She could still remember meeting him, on that fateful summer day…
Hena was in her shop, bent over the counter, skimming through a book. She had a hard time with the big words, but she loved the plot twists. That was all that mattered in a book anyhow. The door opened, making the bell above the door chime. Hena didn't look up from her book.
"Welcome to my fishing hut, don't break any jars." she said flatly. The person walked closer to the counter.
"I wouldn't dream of it." replied the customer. It was a man. She looked up, and saw a young redheaded man, with glasses. She shut her book and stood straight up.
"So, what can I do for you today?" Hena asked. He looked around, observing the shop. He nodded and opened up the book in his hand.
"Sir, not to be rude or anything, but are you going to stand there all day or do you really need something?" The man shut his book, somewhat offended.
"I'm truly sorry." he responded. "I was just a tad curious." Hena sighed. This boy was definitely not an outdoors person.
"So, what are you doing here?" she asked, rather impatient. "You don't seem like a fisherman." Hena took in his appearance. He was wearing a pair of argyle socks, some not so sturdy boots, and a bow fashioned around his neck.
"I'm not one, but I require one of your boats." he said. "I'm Shad." He extended out his hand. Hena spit in hers and grabbed his, offering a friendlier greeting. Shad took his hand back, and had an unsettled look to his face.
"Right." he continued awkwardly. "Now, I would like to borrow a canoe." Hena rolled her eyes and headed towards the door.
"You coming?" she asked. Shad pushed his glasses up and nodded.
"Yes, I am." he answered. He followed her out the door and to the line of boats. She waved her hand, displaying the boats.
"Go ahead, pick any one you want." Shad looked at the canoes. Which one to choose…
"How about that one?" he asked. He pointed to a canoe far off near the side of the shack. Hena looked at his choice. She shook her head.
"Sorry, but we can't use that one." she replied. Shad felt confused.
"It's looks delightful." he said. "What's wrong with it?" Hena sighed.
"That's my private boat. I don't lend it out to customers. It's a two-seater, so I only use it when I have a boyfriend."
"Oh." responded Shad. "But there are two of us, so we can still ride in it." Hena raised an eyebrow.
"What are you implying?" she asked. His face heated up, understanding his poor choice is words.
"I didn't mean that, I was just saying that we could ride"
"Oh quit your babbling, I was kidding around." said Hena. She picked another canoe and pushed it into the water. She hopped in, and waited for Shad.
"Come on, get in." Shad nodded and tried to get in. He was very hesitant, carefully putting in one foot at a time. He put in his left foot successfully.
"This isn't so hard." he said to himself. But when he took his right foot off of the sand, is when he lost his balance. He rocked back and forth on his one foot, and dropped his book into the canoe.
Shad fell face-first into the water, getting every single piece of clothing wet. His glasses fell off, and his hair was in his face. Hena tried to resist, but she couldn't help but laugh.
"This is not funny." said an irritated Shad. "My clothes are ruined. I can't wear wet clothes!"
Hena rolled her eyes. "A little water won't kill you, but if it's that traumatizing, I think I have some fisherman clothes in the hut."
Shad didn't like the idea as dressing up as a fisherman, but having his clothes wet would lessen his concentration.
"Fine." he said grumpily. He walked into the hut, leaving Hena alone in the boat. She sighed and looked at the water. She was looking at the fishes, hoping to see something new.
Shad came out of the hut in the fisherman clothes. It consisted of an old shirt, overalls, and a pair of rubber boots. Hena laughed.
"Well don't we look stylish today." she remarked. Shad walked to the boat and got into it effectively this time. Hena sighed and started to row the boat.
"So, if we're fishing today, I don't allow sinking lures." she began. Shad nodded.
"It's inhumane." he stated. Hena widened her eyes. Nobody had ever said that before! She kept rowing.
"Besides, I'm not fishing." he said. "I'm doing some research." Hena was slightly curious.
"What kind of research?" she asked. Shad smiled, always loving questions.
"I've been investigating a type of bird race called the Oocca. I've explored everywhere but the water." he said. "But you probably wouldn't want to hear about them." Not many people wanted to listen to him jabber about birds that nobody has seen.
"Maybe I do." she said. "Tell me about them." Shad's eyes shined; excited to talk about the Oocca.
"Okay." Shad then proceeded to inform Hena about the Oocca. She listened with great interest, and that was how they spent their day.
They shared their stories and their secrets, on a beautiful summer day, unaware what was in store for them.