Clear refreshment

I’m not a huge fan of April Fool’s pranks. I’ll admit I tend to be gullible, but so many of the pranks are cruel. Still, I am reaching back, back in memory for a fitting story. 

My parents were visiting my dad’s family in North Carolina. I am not sure when this was, but I think it was likely around 1947. It may have been the first time they were able to visit after being married in late 1944. 

That day they were headed out for a day of fishing. It was mom and dad with another couple. I wish I could remember which of his brothers it was, maybe Claud, but I know my mom was enjoying getting to know his merry wife. 

They had packed a simple picnic to take along for a day at a special spot by a river. The guys were in the front seat while the gals joked along in the back. When they stopped at a small country store, the guys went in alone for a few final supplies. 

While the ladies waited, a man sidled up to a car window. “Pss, I'm right thirsty. Can you help me out?” 

My mom didn’t like the ragged look of this man and was alarmed when my aunt lowered her voice and hissed back “We might have a little we could spare, you have something to put it into?”

The man looked around nervously. “I have a jar here, I can pay a bit.” 

“Oh, we won’t charge you, but we can’t spare much.”

By this time, my young mom was starting to catch on. This was her first visit to a dry state, but she had heard stories. She was also a bit worried if this all went badly. 

The man looked around again and passed in a small canning jar. My aunt bent down low and pulled a quart jar out of the packed picnic basket. She kept the jars out of sight below the seat backs. Very carefully, she unscrewed the lid and poured some of their clear liquid into his jar. 

My dad and his brother came out of the store just in time to see the man walking away from the car to some nearby bushes. They started to ask but my aunt just said “Get going, we’ll tell you in a minute.”

Just then they heard the man coughing and choking as he stood up from behind his bush. “It’s WATER!” They heard him yell as they drove away. 

I guess it just goes to prove, you get what you pay for. 

Hope your day has been filled with some of the joy I felt as Cory Booker made history today. May we all tell true stories that bring hope and healing in these divisive times.