A Slight Tug

The breeze came off the water first, cool against the stitching on my cap. I felt my right fingers tighten slightly around the rod. Down below my left hand, the little plush fish dangled on its string. I gently flicked my wrist. The line swayed, and the small fish turned once in the open air, brushing the tall grass beneath my shoes. Everything stayed steady. I took a solid breath and stood quietly, watching the ripples spread across the pond.