Moody

“Come on in and get something cool to drink,” Susie said as she picked a fresh rose and handed it to Verla Mae.  “Ya’ll must be parched!”

The entire crew went into the house in search of iced tea and watermelon.

Afterwards, Brenda ran off down the yard to see the cows and her cousin Charlotte.  The adults sat around the house, catching up on what-was-happening-to-who, while Rachel and Judy went back to the car to listen to the radio.

Uncle Toy was talking about the fish he caught last night when Charlotte burst through the back door.

“Brenda’s drowning!  She fell into the pond!  Come quick!”

There was a moment of chaos as the four adults hurried out the door after Charlotte.

Moody was leading the way.  He looked down towards the pond, which was about 100 yards away.  He saw Brenda’s head; and then it was gone.  He panicked as he watched for the head to bob up again.  There it is!  Then back under!

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Troy running to the other side of the pond.  Maybe Troy would get there in time.  Please, get there in time!

The head bobbed up again.  The small chubby arms were flying through the air, splashing water everywhere.  As she went down again, Troy made it to the water and waded out to where she was, which happened to be only waist deep to him.  He reached down and grabbed her up by the collar of her shirt.  She was coughing and gasping for breath.  Her legs, hands, and feet were all going in different directions.

As Troy waded back up on the bank, Moody was there to help them out.

When Brenda saw her Daddy, she yelled all the louder.

Moody laughed as she threw herself into his open arms.  “If she can still holler like that, she has to be alright!” 

As they turned to go back to the house, Verla Mae lagged behind to talk to Troy.

“I’m so thankful you were here and that you got to my baby in time.  I don’t know what I would do if we lost her.”  Tears were pouring from her big brown eyes as she hugged his neck.

“Yeah, me too.  I was over there rakin’ hay when I heard her screamin’.  I jumped that fence over yonder and ran as fast as I could,” Troy said, shaking the water from his hair.

As they walked back to the house, Judy and Rachel appeared at the corner by the back porch.

“What happened to you,” Rachel said as she eyed Troy’s wet hair and clothes.  “Fall into the pond?” She and Judy giggled.