Skip Helped Me Out Of The Nightmare I'd Put Myself In!

Skip Helped Me Out Of The Nightmare I'd Put Myself In!
By Gloria Faye Brown Bates/aka Granny Gee

Gloria Faye Brown Bates/aka Granny Gee... living in Virginia

My heart was in my throat. I was doing something I was asked to please not do. I had promised I wouldn't do it. I couldn't help it... I wanted to do it.

I was out in the middle of a pond infested with water moccasins... agressive moccasins. Thankfully, this time I didn't see one. Now, I don't know a thing about 'water stuff'.

I had gotten up much earlier than Skip. I showered, dressed... and did something I'd been thinking about. You know how it is when you keep thinking about something... just knowing you can do it.

I knew I could just do what I'd been asked... well, to tell the truth... told not to do. I knew this morning, I was going to do it!

I thought I'd be sleepy... I had stayed up late watching one of the scary movies with ... Jason, in it. It was sort of in the back of my mind... where Jason jumped up out of the water to get someone... that was where I screamed!

Anyway, I began walking toward one of the three ponds on the land we leased... it was beautiful there. We lived in Alabama... where it was beautiful... but, too humid for me. This happened some years ago.

I was listening to the birds singing, as I walked. I saw a snapping turtle... he was really big. I picked up a branch to just touch him with it... I didn't want to hurt him. I just wanted to hear him. He bit down on the branch, so... I let go.

I walked on until I got to the pond. I was thinking I hadn't left a note, or clue for Skip to know where to find me. I'd just be very careful.

There it was... an aluminum boat sitting on the ground close to the pond. I was going to take me a ride in that boat. This was what Skip had told me... not to do.

I hate for someone to tell me not to do something... no matter how nice they tell me. No one could have told me any nicer than Skip. There's just something in me that... rebels... I begin thinking... about doing it. Don't ask me... why.

I remember I kept my fingers crossed... when I promised... just in case, I did... do it.

I walked up to that boat... stood there wondering if I really had the nerve to get in it... and go out on the water. Mind you, I'd never done that before... I didn't know the first thing about boat-riding. I couldn't even swim.......

I grinned... I was going to be so proud of myself when I rode the boat all around that pond. That was doing something!

I bent down to push the boat into the water... for a moment, I felt something close to fear. I pushed it back in my mind. I jumped in the boat, grabbed the oar... and began using it.

I did what I'd seen people do in the movies. I began to use the oar, switching arms. It didn't take long for me to tire out. I was wishing to hell... that I had kept my promise! This wasn't what it was cracked up to be! I didn't think it was fun... no, not at all!

What in the hell! I heard a sound beneath the boat... I was scared! What was it? All of a sudden, the noise got louder, and louder. Something was bumping hard underneath that boat!

Something was under the boat! Jason! I just knew Jason was under the boat, and he was going to jump up out of the water and get my ass! I was terrified!

I could hardly breathe for my fear. Oh God... please help me! What am I going to do! I made sure I sat in the middle of the boat... kept my hands in my lap. I didn't want to make it easy for Jason to get me!

Help me, Skip! Please help me! I knew I wouldn't be getting help... he didn't know where I was. I did, though. I was sitting in the middle of that pond... going nowhere! I was afraid Jason would jerk the oar out of my hands...

Boom, boom, boom! The noises got louder, and wouldn't stop. I knew I was going to die! I couldn't even row that boat back to shore!

I heard a voice... I was trying to turn my head to look back to shore. It was hard to... I had become frozen like a statue from the fear inside me!

Skip! It was Skip! I began to cry.... please help me, Skip! Please help me, I called to him. Jason is under the boat! He's going to get me!

Skip began laughing! I couldn't believe it... he was laughing at me! Baby Girl... Jason's not under that boat! That's probably a big turtle!

Boom, boom, boom! I wasn't convinced. I was going to faint from fear... I just could not take anymore.

Skip sobered up, stopped laughing. He knew I was in a serious situation... and very afraid. He began to tell me what to do in a calm voice. When Skip talked to me like that... I could calm down in most any situation.

I picked the oar back up, and did what he told me to do. Soon, the boat had turned around... I was heading to shore! I couldn't wait to put my feet on the ground!

I told myself that I'd never do that again. Please, Lord... just let me get back to shore... you won't have to worry about me doing that... again!

Oh... the shore was getting closer! I couldn't wait to get out of that boat! It bumped the shore... I wanted to get up, get out!

I couldn't! I was afraid if I stood up... the boat would turn over. It sure was shaky! I crawled toward the front of it... I wanted to get out so badly.

I put my hands on the wooden seat... began to push up... the boat shook, made me fall back down! Damn boat! I want to get out of here!

Didn't I tell you that this boat was going to do that? Skip was laughing again! Baby Girl, I don't think you'll be doing this again, he said. Please take my hand, Skip. Help me!

Skip pulled the boat higher on the ground. He told me to stand up now... that this time, I could get out without falling in. Sure enough, I stood up, grabbed his hands. Skip helped me out of that boat... out of the nightmare I had put myself in!