The Disappearing Lake

The lake retreated. The mud that appeared had a sick reddish glow. Jim could see fish jumping, probably for insects that alighted on the surface, or perhaps because more and more of them were shoved together. Jim hated the government. He hated its apathy. He hated its insincerity. He wondered how long he could stand living in this country. He wished he could leave but he had no money and no way to earn enough even for plane fare. He also knew that Laurie would not be able to go with him, not yet anyway.