09/13/2026
WHISPERS OF THE CRICK
The Watcher of Hooker’s Nook
Nobody knows much about the man who stays back on Hooker’s Nook.
And that's mostly because he prefers it that way.
Some say he came up the crick years ago and just never left. Others will tell you his people have been around these marshes longer than anybody remembers.
Me? I don't ask too many questions.
I know he's got a few bee hives tucked back in there. Keeps himself in honey, grows a few herbs, catches what he eats and seems to know every bird, muskrat and turtle that calls that piece of marsh home.
There's an old copper still back there, too.
Now before anybody gets excited, I never said it worked.
I just said it's there.
The Watcher claims he found it years ago, half swallowed by the woods. Who it belonged to and what they were making in it depends entirely upon who's telling the story.
He keeps it around anyway.
Says old things deserve somebody to remember them.
That's about the most I've ever heard him say at one time.
He don't take much to strangers.
Matter of fact, last time I talked to him he said,
“Donna girl, if you're gonna bring them people up the crick, least give me a heads-up.”
So we do.
We don't dock.
We don't go wandering.
And we don't holler into the woods trying to see if he'll come out.
We just ease the boat down a little as we pass Hooker's Nook.
And every once in a while, if you look back toward the trees...
you might see somebody sitting there.
Then again—
maybe you didn't.
Whispers of the Crick
Evermore Trading Co.
Teller of Tales. Trader of Goods. Keeper of Places.