THE LAST POT.

THE LAST POT.

The little fishing boat Lucy bobbed on the choppy sea, her weathered hull creaking with each wave. Captain Joe, dressed in his trusty yellow raincoat, squinted against the salty spray as he hauled up the last pot of the day. The rope was slick with seawater, and his calloused hands gripped tightly as he heaved it onto the deck.

“Careful, Joe,” called Albie from the wheelhouse, his deep voice cutting through the wind. Albie was Joe’s lifelong friend, the navigator, and the one who always made sure the old boat kept running. His sharp eyes scanned the horizon, spotting the dark clouds that were beginning to gather. “Storm’s coming in fast. Let’s get a move on!”

Joe gave a grunt of acknowledgment and leaned over the side to check the pot. His face lit up as he saw the glimmer of movement inside. “Got a good haul here, Albie!” he shouted, pulling out a tangle of wriggling crabs. He set them into the holding bin with a satisfied grin. The Lucy might have been old, but she still brought in the best catches.

The little boat rocked as a sudden gust of wind hit, sending seawater splashing over the sides. “We’d better head in,” Albie yelled, gripping the throttle with a steady hand. The engine hummed as the boat turned toward the harbor. Joe secured the last pot and wiped his hands on his raincoat before stepping into the wheelhouse.

As the Lucy pushed through the waves, Joe leaned against the frame of the door, watching the horizon. The sea was wild and unpredictable, but it was home. The sun broke through a gap in the clouds, casting a warm glow over the rolling water.

Albie glanced over his shoulder and grinned. “Another day, another catch. You think we’ll ever get tired of this, Joe?”

Joe chuckled, his weathered face crinkling into a smile. “Not a chance, Albie. This is the life. Just us, the sea, and Lucy.”

The boat chugged steadily toward the safety of the harbor, her engine humming a familiar tune. Behind them, the sea churned, restless and untamed, but the Lucy and her crew had weathered many storms before. Together, they carried the day’s bounty and the shared love of a life at sea—a friendship as enduring as the waves themselves.