The River

- From Between Two Kingdoms, a brilliant story by Joe Boyd....

   "So we just jump right in, Pops?" asked Bobby.

   "Pretty much. We just jump in and away we go! Come over here by me and hold hands. Mary, you stand in the middle. It's easier if you all go in together."

   "But what about our clothes?" asked Tommy.

   "You go in just like you are," Pops said. "That's the only way to do it." He stepped behind them and Tommy felt a strong hand on his back. "Ready to jump?"

   "Not quite yet," said Mary.

   "Sure you are!"

   One forceful jolt from Pops and Tommy flew into the River, pulling Mary and Bobby along with him. Pops jumped in like a cannonball right behind them.

   Cool water rushed all over Tommy’s face and pulled him downstream. In a minute, he understood what Pops had meant about the River being a person with a mind of her own. She pulled him under her waters, then threw him up high in the air when he needed a breath. If he grew scared, the River calmed him down and let him float. Whenever he grew bored, the River sped up and dropped him with a force that made his stomach jump into his throat. At one point, the River pushed Tommy into Mary and the two of them, arms linked, shot way up in the air. They hit her waters again, giggling all the way. Tommy yelled, “Do that again!” and it happened! Every time Tommy asked, the River shot them skyward and caught them when they came back down.