Chapter Three
FISHER-GIRL
Sun. July 17th
Bonjour Meme,
I'm using the knowledge and wisdom that Pappy blessed me with over the years, to live off the land, and sea. I'll see if I start to feel better if I stop eating the food from Marvella. I think the foods keeping me alive are killing me! What else can explain my illnesses and unhinged writing?
Meme, I'm wholeheartedly thankful for the food and grains I've been given; still, I think I'll start gathering my own foods. Even though the food at Marvella tastes fine, and I'm thoroughly cooking the food, through-and-through; what else can explain the stomach cramps, fevers, and delusions I'm constantly facing?
After today's catch, I know I can succeed. Miles told me, "You fish like a girl!" Even so, Miles was always mean to me, but I can forgive him; he tried to save me. I know he misses me, as much as I miss him, it must be so; he tried to find me.
I'd like to think Miles would be proud of me like Pappy would be proud of me. I caught a sockeye and two smaller pink salmon by simply casting my line off the basalt palisades on the east side of my island and using the rockfish I was catching as bait; and keeping the bait moving in the water as Pappy taught me.
I threw most of the rockfish back in the ocean because I was worried about getting sick. Pappy said, "They're bottom-feeders, Lainey; they absorb pollution from the ocean bottom!"
But I kept all the proper-size lingcod, and halibut I caught, as Pappy said, "For the halibut!"
And I thoroughly cleaned all the guts, skins and heads from the fish. I'll make sure I completely cure the fish I don't cook and eat. And I'll check the crab and shrimp pots tomorrow morning. But I don't expect much action.
As a side note: I think I've kept good track of the days of the month. We had a full buck moon on Friday, which was two days ago. I'm keeping busy with work; distractions make the sadness and loneliness less sad and lonely.
Sleep well tonight, Meme.