As I typed the trigger warning in for my latest tumblr post if felt like just burrowing back under the covers and spending the day in the safe, warm darkness.
No such luck though today, Dad had plans to make a man out of his spineless worm of a son with some good, clean manly activities. I wasn't sure exactly what this would entail, but indubitably it would be something outdoorsy - exactly what I didn't feel like.
So far we'd been hiking, rock climbing and, worst of all, hunting.
I heard my Dad call. "Jim, Jim, c'mon boy. Let's get this show on the road. You're gonna like what we're doing today son."
Groaning inside I replied "OK Dad, I'll just be a minute."
I ducked through the back door and knelt in the rich, dark loamy soil outside my window and ran my fingers through it, seeking for Earthworm Jim, my better half. Strangely I couldn't find him in the aerated layer he usually preferred, so I dug deeper - I just wanted a minute with my best buddy before having to spend the day playing man's man with Dad.
"Jim, c'mon, we're going. Hurry it up." Sadly I stood up and trudged round the side to the truck, now worried about Jim as well as dreading the day which was now well and truly under way.
I looked in the back of the truck where a bunch of poles and some kind of toolbox lay. Hating outdoorsy activities I could never even tell what was in store for me.
I mean I'm not a total idiot so when I saw the guns, cammies and plastic duck I guessed we were going after those worm eating winged bastards, but the dull ache of dread I felt at the thought of killing for fun just made the drive to the lake worse than not knowing so I put the crap in the back out of my mind and tried to zone out while we drove, thinking about Jim and wondering where he was, if he was alright.
It soon became clear we were going back to the lake today as we turned down the lake road and sure enough before long we were there.
Dad hopped out and busied himself getting the crap for whatever he had planned ready while I moped in the cab.
"I wish you'd make some effort Jim, but you're gonna like this today son. I'm sure you will. We're fishing, nice and relaxing."
I almost felt some connection when I saw his hopeful face come round the side of the truck with the now set up rod in his hand and watched him cast the line. Almost that is least until my eyes went to the end of the rod in his hand's dangling line and a sensation of agony ripped through my guts.
What I saw felt like a big metal hook eviscerating me: hooked up right there in front of me was Jim, squirming as he flew towards the lake.