I had been sitting in my little spot waiting for dawn and the devil to come find me.

They both showed up nearly at the same time. Dawn was no problem. She and I were old friends. The devil is another story.

I heard him coming long before I saw him. I heard his boat bump into a cypress knee. It was a sound out of place this time of morning in this remote area. I had no doubt what the sound I heard was.

I was looking right at him when his little wooden boat came into view about a hundred yards out directly in front of me. His boat made its way through the tall reed grass and headed straight towards Coleman’s Island ---- and me.

It’s funny how time seems to stand still in situations like this. My mind had plenty of time to reason things out.

Things became crystal clear to me.

 I knew I was about to die.

I knew I was no match for the devil.

I reflected on the last couple of years of my life. I thought about how my life had changed so dramatically. I had never been happier. I owned more of God’s green earth than I had ever even dared to dream about. I had more best friends than the law allowed. I had a wife that I loved dearly. I had the most wonderful family in the world. I realized I had been given a rare opportunity ---- if only temporarily.

I knew my life had been directed to Mumford. It was my job here on earth to find the little lost angels out here on Coleman’s Island. It was given to me to put a stop to this madness. I knew I had been sent to the area to put Jet back on the right path. I knew I had been given the job of getting Jake together with Andy so they could straighten out their lives and maybe even find a little piece of heaven. I knew I had been sent here to see about Lori and Laura and their mama and daddy. I knew it was meant for me to straighten out Don and Verne from their messed up lives. I knew I was even sent here to provide a place for my ex ---- Mrs. Sugar Britches. I was also painfully aware that I had been sent here to Nita and to give her a son.

I also knew that all these things had already been accomplished. The only thing left for me to do was to rid the world of the Demon of the Marsh. I felt my life’s work would be fulfilled with this accomplishment. My work on earth would be complete. I knew my time on earth was over.

Why I was directed down this path, I had no idea. I did feel good about the results. I didn’t get the big head about it though. I knew I had been fashioned and molded to accomplish these tasks. The glory did not belong to me. It belonged to my maker. I was only his instrument.

I was saddened to think my time was up. I would have liked to have had the opportunity to hang around a little while longer. I would have liked to have had the opportunity to watch my kids finish growing up. I would have liked to have been able to stick around a little while longer so I could watch my pride and joy, Luke and Lacy as they finished sprouting their wings and soared high in the sky. I would have liked to have had the opportunity to pass a little of myself on to Lane as well. I had to smile to myself with this thought. Lane is something special. Of course, he has a mighty special mama. I knew Nita would take good care of him. I knew Nita would instill the things in him so he would become the man that I would be proud of. I was just sorry I wouldn’t be hanging around to see him grow up. I would have liked to have had more time to spend with Nita and show her how much I loved her. I would have also liked to have been able stick around a little while longer and enjoy my new friends.

I took a moment to thank God for all the wonderful things he had given me. I knew I had been blessed more than most. I only hoped I had done the right things with my blessings.

The boat carrying the evil beast drew close. I became more alert. The time for me to feel sorry for myself was over.

“If it’s my turn to die, so be it,” I told myself.