Full Moon Fish House
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- Susan Brown
Co-host Alicia Zuckerman interviews Susan Brown
FULL MOON FISH HOUSE
by Susan Brown
I‘ve spent more of my life in water than on land. Not surprising for a third generation fisherman, I ‘spose. Probably explains why I jumped at the chance to live in the old fish house. That, and the fact we got history.
She’s a 1924 ice house in Pine Island Sound. Sits just off the north shore entrance to Safety Harbor – at North Captiva Island. Folks call me crazy for the feminine reference. But that fish house is more woman to me than any flesh and blood female I ever met. Perched proud out there on her barnacled pilings. She may be dilapidated. But she’s never been defeated.
Still remember the first time I saw her.
“Who lives there, Grandpa ?” I asked, pointing towards the fish house.
“The fish, Joshy. The fish,” he said.
“Whaddaya mean, Grandpa?”
“It’s a fish house. A real special place. Fishermen ‘round these parts used to keep blocks of dry ice in there so’s they could leave their catch and keep on fishin’.”
“But who lives there?” I persisted.
“No one, Joshy. But folks stay there from time to time. Mostly folks who like to fish,” he chuckled. “Took your dad and your Uncle Clive there for the first time when they was about your age. Did some night fishin’. Climbed on that there dock, plunked our lines in the water. Ain’t never seen the moon that full – before or since. Pure magic.”
“Will you take me Grandpa?”
“Sometime, Joshy. Sometime.”
Grandpa died a week later; I vowed at his funeral to search for that magic. Studied the moon every night. On my eighth birthday, time arrived. I waited for Uncle Clive’s whiskey slumber. Then I commandeered his Mako. Made my first private voyage from Pine Island to North Captiva. The moon hung enormous. I tied the boat to a piling underneath the fish house. Clutching Grandpa’s favorite fishing pole, I climbed onto the dock. I cast; I waited. A tug on the line pulled my gaze toward the water. My reflection gazed back. So did Grandpa’s.
I never spoke about that night to anyone. Years passed. I married my high school sweetheart, although I can’t remember why. The judge signed our divorce papers twelve days after my mother’s funeral. Uncle Clive died one month later; Bert’s Bar hosted his wake. Even dead, Clive gathered a crowd. But I never felt more alone.
My insides craved escape. I overheard Gus Sharp tell the bartender the fish house was for rent. I slapped the first month’s payment onto the bar. Loaded Clive’s Mako, navigated toward the fish house. I secured the boat to the first piling I could. Scampered onto the dock. Left everything behind but Grandpa’s fishing pole. I cast; I waited. A tug on the line pulled my gaze toward the water. Grandpa’s reflection gazed back alongside my own.
“You’re right, Grandpa,” I whispered. “Pure magic.” I didn’t fight the tears that followed.
Never again seen the moon that full.
Bio: A Hoosier by birth, Susan Brown moved to Gainesville, Florida in 1974. She obtained her law degree from the University of Florida in 1999, then moved to Orlando where she practiced law and joined her first creative writing group. Susan relocated to Cape Coral in 2005 after she married her husband, photographer and watercolor artist Ed Brown. Aside from the stiffed-shirt stuff she writes for her “day job,” Susan is working on a humorous memoir about her pre-marital dating escapades. She belongs to two writing groups, including the Gulf Coast Writer’s Association in Fort Myers, where she currently serves as the 2009-2010 Special Projects Chair.
Tags: Alicia Zuckerman, audio, Captiva, Episode 3: Literary South Florida, writing
Beautiful story!
Thank you, Barbara!
This is the first story I have heard from Under the Sun and I was blown away. What a fantastically refreshing story to listen to on my way to work. Thank you!
Hi Jane – How great to know I helped kick your day off to a good start! Thank you so much taking the time to post your remarks. Makes me want to keep writing!
If you haven’t listened in to the full episodes of Under the Sun, I hope you’ll find time to do so. The producers strive to put together a unique broadcast full of colorful characters and interesting stories.
BRAVO! I loved the story Susan and your accent , It’s just gorgeous,
I could listen to you for hours!
Congratulations!!!!
Amy
Hello, Amy. Thanks for the congrats. I’m glad to know the southern drawl enhanced the story for you! It helped bring the character to life for me.
What a touching story! It’s so well written, I was completely surprised to learn it was fiction. This writer is going places… thank you for sharing! Can you let me know when her dating memoir comes out?
Thank you, Stacie Harmon
Congratulations to Ms. Brown
Oh my goodness – can I hire you as my publicist?! Thank you for such glowing remarks; I’m pleased you enjoyed both recordings. Thank you very much.
Brilliant! I feel as though I KNOW these people…and it’s just a very short story. I’ve read entire books, and not been this engulfed in a story. Terrific rhythm…hard to believe this is a first try at fiction…what a future!
Thank you, Julia. Yes – this was my first work of fiction. But with such a stellar response, I’m certain it won’t be my last!
Very neat short story and Susan did a nice job reading it. Enjoyed it very much.
Thank you, Cleo. What a nice surprise to see your name and discover you listened in! The fish house is just a short boat ride from Charlotte Harbour – you might want to add it to your list of must-do things in South Florida! Glad you enjoyed the story.
Loved the story…it reminds me of the one in Cedar Key except the last time I saw it the weather and the Gulf of Mexico looked as if it had defeated it.
Thank you, Susan. The fish houses in the Gulf are such an intriguing part of Florida history, but so few are left. It’s funny you mentioned Cedar Key – my husband and I have been talking about going there for a visit; we haven’t been there for years. He wants to snap some pictures, and I’m thinking perhaps I’ll come up with an idea for another story!
Well done, Susan. You cast your line, and tugged at our heartstrings. I have fond memories of my own, of a night-time trip out to North Captiva in a john boat, of motoring around the bend to find a low Farmer’s Moon caressing this very same fish house. It was magical, and I knew it had many stories to tell. Thank you for breathing life into it through your wonderful story.
Hello, Diane. Thank you for the kind remarks. I was delighted to discover your comment sharing actual adventures surrounding the fish house. I’m pleased the story had special meaning for you.
Great story, I am sure you will do well as a writer. Especially your family stories like this.