<USS Avalon> Gone Fishin' - a continuation of a log

Gone Fishin' 
-- a continuation of a log
by Felicity Roan

       Felicity was on a raft with two gentlemen, floating down what is now 
known as the Mississippi River.  Her aim was to catch fish and forget about the 
Avalon for a while.  It was peaceful and tranquil.  She liked the silence of 
the glen around her, but the sound of the flowing river was relaxing.

       One of the gentlemen turned to her.  "Ma'am... Miss Felicity is it?  
You've been a fishing with us now for the better part of a day ... and well, 
you haven't said much.  Aren't we fine company?  You having a bad day?  
Something we can do for you?"

       Felicity smiled politely and shook her head left to right and right to 
left.  "I have been quiet, this is true.  I've been trying to fish away my 
troubles.  Contemplating my next maneuver to try and catch a bigger fish."  She 
laughed at that thought. "Perhaps some chatting will do the trick.  Why did we 
use a raft and not a boat like most fishermen?"

       The other chap turned and shrugged.  "This was more convenient and 
worry less about it taking on too much water and sinking.  The Missuhsip is not 
a 
place you want to have worries with.  This river is enough worry in its own 
right.  Besides, we get a little closer this way."  He gave her a playful wink 
and nudge.

       "I see.  Well, here's my troubles if you'll hear them," She paused to 
take in a deep breath and let them know her true troubles, "my crew is all too 
busy to be seen.  They all found convenient excuses not to attend for their 
physicals.  Perhaps they don't need a doctor anymore.  Maybe they are all in 
such fine shape, they have no worry of becoming ill.  I feel very unwanted and 
needed.  And while that's an issue all in itself, I think my job is obsolete.  
What they need is a morale officer ... but I'm not good at inspiring morale, 
especially given how low mine is today."  She sighed and looked down at the 
river, feeling as murky inside at the river looked on the outside.

       The two gentlemen looked at each other, shrugged, then looked back to 
her and smiled.  "Miss Felicity, we're no ... oh, what was that mate's name?  
Frood... Frund....Freud, yes that's it, Freud, but we know that you're having 
a bad day.  Everyone has them, but there is no need to give up all hope.  
You're overreacting.  It's that simple.  Your crew is busy, tending to the 
larger 
problems of your boat.  When they are done with those tasks, they will visit 
ya.  As sure as I'm hoping to catch 12 fish today, I can tell ya that.  They 
need a doctor.  Every riverboat Captain who sets sail, has a medic on board.  
He'd be crazy not to do so.  You need patience.  And to be more understanding 
that the globe doesn't revolve around you and your needs alone.

        "Life is mighty inconvenient sometimes, I'm afraid to tell ya.  Not 
everything works on a schedule that you prefer or want, but that's how the life 
goes.  You want it to roll like the paddle boats, precise movements, but if 
it gets swamp grass in it the paddle, well it's no so precise.  Morale is just 
another way of offering support and strength to someone when they need it 
most.  You don't have to say a word often to do that, now do you?  Stay and 
fish 
with us.  Have dinner and then go on back to your crew.  I'm sure that a few of 
'em will have come around. What do ya say Miss Felicity?"

       Felicity nodded slowly with a smile on her face.  'The wisdom of the 
ancients' was a phrase that came to mind as she stared at the two gents.  "I'd 
like that very much actually.  It will feel good to be outdoors and have a 
real cooked meal for a change."  Just then she felt the first bite of the day 
at 
the end of her line.  She smiled a bit more.  They were right.  Patience, 
Understanding and Support.

       The three of them continued floating down the Mississippi River 
together and Felicity smiled as she realized that she had caught what she was 
after... Peace of mind.  Tomorrow she'd be ready to face the crew of the Avalon 
on 
their terms ... and not the terms that she hoped to have.

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