The back door flew open and Fusi felt a chill run up his spine. Fusi turned to see a large man in a brown coat standing in the doorway to the aging elderly home. The man glanced around the room, his dark eyes narrowing as he noticed the fish wrapped in crumpled brown paper sitting on the counter. He closed the door as he stepped inside, his large muddy boots leaving markings on the laminated white floor.
"Can I help you, sir?" Rosie asked, studying the man.
" Yes, I'm here from the fish inspecting company. We had a woman by who claimed to be Mr. Bergman's daughter contact us about his fishing. She told us everything ."
Fusi glared at the man in total shock. This couldn't have been happening. His own daughter had ratted him out. He sat there for a moment, deep in thought. Fusi's eyes had a spark in them as he realized that they would need to catch him the act before they could take his skiff.
" I'm here to tell you that we've known about your fishing for a long time now. We've been watching from the shore since you lost your fishing licence. " The man stared at Fusi, his eyes cold and unhelpful.
Fusi gave a start. His entire world was falling apart as he was given the truth about what he had believed to be his secretive fishing. They had been letting him fish for all these years. It couldn't be true, it wasn't true he thought to himself.
The fish inspector walked across the room and sat down at the table across from Fusi and Rosie. They all sat for a moment in silence, Fusi still thinking, and Rosie looking worried.
" We've decided that it's time to stop fishing Mr. Bergman." Fusi looked distraught at the words coming from the man's mouth. " Some of our employees will be by your house later today to collect your skiff and your net."
Fusi's entire world was crashing around him. For four years he had believed that he had been sneaky, like he had the upper hand on the Fish inspector's, but it was all a lie. They'd known all along. Fusi's eyes darted towards the fish inspector.
" But thats impossible." Rosie put a hand on Fusi's back in support as he started to breath heavily.
"There is more." The fish inspector said, walking towards the fish. He picked up the brown package and put it under his arm.
"We've decided to put you in this home. From what we've seen of you, and what your daughter has told us, it's about time you stayed here." He said coldly. The room fell silent for a second time that day. After what seemed like hours the fish inspector spoke once more.
" You'll have a few hour to pack your things before we come to take you to the home." Fusi still sat silent. He didn't know what to do. After all the years of being independant and working on his own to catch his fish everyday, the truth came out that he was being watched. And now he was being pushed into a home for the elderly. The fish inspector turned and walked out with the package of fish under his arm, the door slamming shut.
Rosie took Fusi by the hand and led him to the front door, his eyes still showing him in deep thought. “ Best get you ready to leave.” She said quietly, and then she led him out the door and to his house. Fusi looked upon his home with a sad look on his eyes. The last time he’d see his own home. This was the last time he’d fish on his own.
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