It was a hot, sunny summer morning. I was walking along the small stream that was in my backyard. That was when I heard Mrs. Strike say, “Rodney, come over here please! I need your help to pull these weeds.”

            Although I am a strong man, my back still hurts me from an accident when I was very young. I’m also used to hard work because I grew up on a farm in Montana. I still have a beard from when it used to protect my face on those bitterly cold nights in Montana. Now, I don’t work on a farm, I work at home for my own business. I still have time everyday to work-out and lift weights. I’ve known Mrs. Strike since I moved here to California. I have only a few friends in the neighborhood. One is by best friend Rob. He moved with me from Montana to California. Most people would think that I would have a bunch of friends, but most of the time I’m shy around people. 

            That was when I noticed the bottle floating in the stream. I bent down and picked it up. It seemed waterlogged, but I could see a piece of plastic floating. I said to Mrs. Strike, “sorry I can’t help you right now, I have to go.”

            I went into my house and I tried to get the piece of plastic out of the bottle. I pulled with all my strength, but I couldn’t unscrew the bottle cap. I even tried to put it in my vice to hold it in place when I tried to turn it. I had the thought that I must cut the bottle open. The bottle was Coke bottle, I was afraid that I might damage the plastic if I cut it. But, my curiosity forced me forward.

            “Rodney! Rodney! Wake up, Rodney!” said Mrs. Strike. “I need your help with these weeds you didn’t pull yesterday.” She then proceeded to walk into my house. That was when she noticed the bottle. “Rodney, what is this cut open bottle doing on your dining table?”