Tom had know Miles forever it seemed. They’d always talked about taking this trip, now they were actually here. Fishing on one of those small motor boats, Tom didn’t know Miles knew how to captain one. They grew up together, skinning knees, sharing secrets, even fell for the same girl in fifth grade. Tom recalled the fight over her, bloody lips and noses, while they were fighting she ran off with Billy Johnson.

Tom ate his full of the spicy gumbo back at Miles’ aunt’s place it tasted so good. He was excited, tonight they were going out on the town. Maybe he’d get lucky hell maybe they’d both get lucky.

“I didn’t know you could drive a boat man, cool. I can’t wait till tonight, think we’ll get lucky Miles?” Tom asked tossing out his line wondering what he might snag.

“Oh I don’t know, you maybe….ya always get lucky Tom,” Miles said grinning, a glint of sinister twinkle in his eyes. Miles rounded the bend and cut the motor, dropping anchor, “This is where Aunt Terri said to try my luck,” Miles informed watching Tom cast and reel. They were lucky catching a few really nice catfish, Miles convinced Tom to put em back. More sporting Miles assured, but Miles did take a picture of Tom with one nice one. “Braggin rights, aint you gonna fish any more?” Tom inquired, as Miles wasn’t baiting a pole.

“Oh I will, just waitin for the big one,” Miles grinned wickedly. “Ya know Tom speakin of getting lucky.”

“Yep, we sure are ol friend, damn how long have we talked about this huh?” Tom cut Miles off, chatting on like a child delighted.

“Long enough…..say um you know Jules right?” Miles asked out of the blue. Why would he ask about her, Tom wondered. “Jules….your girl, we might have met once or twice. Nice girl, nice ass.” Tom nodded, thinking all Miles wanted was reassurance his woman was a babe.

“Yep….ya ever see the strawberry birthmark she’s got ol friend?” Miles’ question creeped Tom out. It seemed as if Miles knew something, but was keeping it secret.

“Birthmark?” Tom shrugged baiting his hook. “Yeah inside her left hip, real low man,” Miles was insistent about the damn mark.

“What the Hell Miles, who cares if she’s got a birthmark, and it’s on her right hip.” Tom stopped for a moment, what did he just say?

“Yeah I know….You bastard. You fucked her didn’t ya?” Miles was all over Tom in an instant. The two engaged kicking, fighting, throwing punches, just like fifth grade how history repeats. A large gator slipped off the bank into the cool dark water, on the prowl he was hungry. About that time Miles landed a swift kick to Tom’s groin, and Tom fell over board. Gasping and sputtering the water was cold as ice. It felt like safety pins pricking him all over his body. “Shit Miles help…..I can’t  swim….help me damn it.” Tom gasped, while Miles delighted in the fact Tom never learned to swim.

“Should of thought of that before ya came on the boat Tom,” called Miles laughing sadistically. Miles seen the ripples, it wasn’t the current, wow Aunt Terri was right, he was a monster of a gator.

“Miles….I swear we were only together for a month. You were back here helping your Aunt, Come on, throw me a line!” Tom’s arms flailed in the water splashing, going under only to resurface, gasping and spitting at Miles panicking.

“Naw….don’t need a line all I need is a little bait,” Miles said calmly. Tom was going under again fighting and kicking with all his might. “Bait….what kind of bait?”

Tom sputtered confused. “Gator bait, see ya round Tom, I’ll say hello to Jules for ya,” Miles laughed pulling up the anchor. Just then the monster gator’s jaws opened wide, clamping it’s razor sharp teeth over Tom’s head. He didn’t have a chance to scream…..Miles smiled devilishly, sweet revenge. He needed a drink, and who knows maybe he’d get lucky.