i did know about. it was not long after he had taken me fishing, and told me—right there on the banks of the illinois river—how he would be going away for a very long time. to a ten-year-year-old, a very long time was somewhere between lunch and supper and supper and breakfast.
this was just right after he had helped me reel in what turned out to be a five-pound catfish.
“i got it, daddy, i got it, daddy,” i said excitedly.
he stood behind me and ever so carefully, as not to damage my confidence, took hold of the pole and helped me reel in the fish. together we watched it flapping 