CityView Magazine

CityViewNC .com | 11 Locally Owned JOHN MCCAULEY ALBERT MCCAULEY BRIAN RAYNOR Parking Lots • Driveways • Subdivisions • Complete Site Work • Sealing • Striping • Patching • Paving • Grading OFFICE: 910-485-5790 FAX: 910-323-4163 OFFICE: 910-485-5790 FAX: 910-323-4163 www.highlandpaving.com Plant: 1351 Old Wilmington Road Office: 2031 Middle Road Insured NC License #55505 Parking Lots • Driveways • Subdivisions • Complete Site Work Sealing • Striping • Patching • Paving • Grading Locally Owned JOHN MCCAULEY ALBERT MCCAULEY BRIAN RAYNOR FREE ESTIMATES toward me, watching me battle like Little David against the Philistine. Aer many minutes, a tail emerged above the closest froth of waves. en my leader was visible. And then, a giant! It was a beautiful specimen of the State Fish of North Carolina: the Red Drum. She was about 30 or so inches long and was the first fish I ever caught in the surf. e men were laughing again, only this time with admiration that rendered me much taller. As I cradled the thrashing behemoth in my arms, they pounded my back. ey held e Bay Rod for me, passing it one to another. As their congratulations ebbed and they resumed their own pursuits, one more came to congratulate me. It was the man who showed to me such kindness and paternalistic care. "at a boy." I think I said – I hope I said – "ank you." It became known to my family over the years that the man with the fatherly way was named Kenneth Royall of Durham. Google him. You will find that he was a state senator. He was the majority leader and the head of appropriations. He was important. Kenneth Royall taught me how to rig mullet minnows. He made me a hero on a beach crowded with fisherman. He did it because he wanted to help me succeed in spite of my ignorance. Without reward to himself. Twenty some years later, it occurred to me that perhaps I had not said "ank you" to Mr. Royall as I stumbled off toward home that morning. So this former boy walked down to his cottage to tell him for sure. A family member was in the driveway. I shared an abbreviated version of why I was there. Kenneth Royall was still alive, said she, but he was suffering from dementia. Any opportunity to reminisce with him, to confirm to him my gratitude, had passed. I had waited too long. I love to surf fish. I went seven times this past autumn, but it was not enough. Oen I find myself at my desk in the office daydreaming of it. I can hear the waves and smell the salt. Birds circle and dive. It has probably cost me sales - that propensity to daydream of fishing by the shore. When next I go, I will be looking for a boy in a canvas coat with a cheap rod and reel. I have something I need to share with him. Bill McFadyen can be reached at propertybill@ncrr.com. Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and joyful Holiday Season! Merry Christmas from Gill Security Systems

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