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confluence /kɑnfluəns/. n. the place of meeting of two streams; a coming or flowing together, meeting, or gathering at one point (Merriam-Webster)
Sam sits against a bush by the river, tying a blade of grass into knots. He had been doomsrcolling through war news on his phone, but then a particularly bleak article had popped up on his timeline, and he had all but thrown the phone onto the ground next to him and exchanged it for a handful of grass.
Now he stares at the river and nervously ties the blade of grass into knots over and over, like he's making a wonky sort of friendship bracelet. It's hard because the grass rips in half when he pulls at it too tightly.
His attention is caught by a sound nearby. He looks and realizes that someone else has chosen this particular bank of the river to sit on, without realizing they had company.
It's the new girl who recently moved into that old, run-down farm on the outskirts of town, the one that he had always thought was just unincorporated land, based on how run-down and overgrown it looked when his family passed it on the way into Zuzu City for a day out.
Sam had been excited to meet her—she had been friendly, tall, just a couple years older than him, and most of all, new. They hadn't had anyone new move into town for years—that writer guy who had moved into the little shack on the beach had been the last one. Ever since Sam had been a kid, people only ever seemed to move out of the Valley.
Anyway, Farmer Girl is fishing on the bank of the river. She wears old jean shorts and an oversized flannel, floppy sunhat drooping on her head. A tackle box and cooler sit next to her. What had gotten his attention was her grunt of effort as she tried to reel in what was on her line.
As Sam watches, she finishes reeling in her catch with what looks like no small amount of effort. He can see a shade of her eager smile as she reaches down to take a look at what she's caught—only to stop short at what's on the line.
It's a can of Joja Cola.
Farmer Girl holds the can up, then brings it close to her face, eyes squinting in examination like she can't believe what she sees. She bursts out with a laugh in a surprised, slightly manic way, then looks around her like, Did anyone else see that? Her eyes stop on him.
"Hey!" she calls. "Sam, right? Look what I just caught!"
Sam has to clear his throat to get his voice out clearly, not expecting to be addressed. "Yeah, I see it!"
Farmer Girl holds the can out in his direction, and he moves closer to take a look. The can is wet and a little scummy, but otherwise in perfect condition. Farmer Girl exclaims, "A whole can of Joja Cola! It doesn't look like it's been opened! Who throws an unopened can of pop in the river?"
"How did you even manage to catch it?" he asks.
"It looks like the tab got caught on my hook."
Sam shakes his head. "What a waste of a good soda."
Farmer Girl grins suddenly, eyes crinkling at the corners. "You want it?"
Sam thinks for a second. The can looks intact. He'll just point it away from him when he opens it, and… "Sure, thanks! I like this stuff."
Farmer Girl's expression drops. "What, really? I was kidding. Who knows how old this is?" She examines the can again, turning it around and around. "I don't see an expiration date on here. It's probably best if I just dump out the pop and recycle the can."
"Nope." Sam plucks the can out of her hand. "You offered. I'm thirsty. I'm gonna drink it."
Her brow furrows in concern. "I don't know..."
He goes closer to the river, holding the can away from his body and beginning to pry at the tab. "What's the worst that can happen? It explodes? A little flat soda won't kill me…Got it!" He manages to pop open the can, which, to his surprise, does not explode, but does fizz over a little.
Sam holds the can out in Farmer Girl's direction and grins. "Cheers!" His view of her grimace is obscured by the can as he takes a big gulp.
"Well?" she asks after a few seconds of his consideration.
He shrugs. "I mean, it's not amazing, but I've had worse Joja Cola that was straight out of the fridge," he decides, before accidentally punctuating his statement with a belch.
"Gross." Farmer Girl wrinkles her nose.
Sam feels his ears turn red. "Oh, 'scuse me. That wasn't on purpose. I—"
"You're good. I meant the…River Po—Soda."
He catches the slip. He wonders where she's from. Maybe she told him the first time they met? "Got it." He takes another sip. "Thanks again."
She laughs, beginning to walk back to where she left her fishing pole on the riverbank, tossed aside in her excitement. "No problem. If I ever fish up any other junk food, I'll let you know."
He laughs, then begins to head back to his spot by the bush. The sight of his phone makes him stop short. He had completely forgotten about the war news with the Joja Cola incident. Now the anxiety creeps back in, and—
"Hey, you want to join me?"
Sam spins back around at the sound of Farmer Girl's voice. "Huh?" he answers dumbly.
She's looking a little awkward, now, reaching up to scratch at the back of her neck. "It's a nice day. If you want some company, you could join me."
Sam blinks. He looks at his phone. Then he looks back to Farmer Girl, her beat-up sneakers, the shadow her hat leaves on her face.
"Yeah, that sounds good," he says. When he takes a seat in the grass by her, taking off his shoes and socks to soak his feet in the cool water, he leaves his phone by the bush.
The news can wait for a while.