It all started when Dani and I went out to dinner and were seated outside on the deck of a local crab house. As we're polishing off the last of the wine, Dani literally rips me out of my seat frantically saying, "GET UP! GET UP!" Thinking it was a boat coming down the waterway, I leisurely stood and turned. Once I saw the raccoon two feet from my chair, I understood her sense of urgency. Not wanting to be eaten alive by a possibly rabid animal, we decided to grab the wine and finish it off at the bar.
Once we were safe inside and joking around with the staff about our new furry friend, we ended up catching the attention of the owner of the restaurant. He came over, introduced himself, and started playing host by offering Dani and I more wine, and asking us the usual questions like "where are y'all from" and "how are you liking it so far?" After almost an hour of casual conversation, and a LOT of wine, I felt like I got knocked over by two back to back, seemingly crazy statements. Mr. Crabcakes, we'll call him, led with, "we have a photo shoot for the travel and tourism bureau of Charleston website happening here tomorrow, y'all should stop by to be in it and meet some good people." Then without batting an eye said, "come on Ciara, let's go get that coon you saw earlier, I've got a pellet gun in the office."
After some hesitation, and even the thought of "I'm pretty sure this is illegal" going through my head, I followed Mr. Crabcakes, pellet gun in hand, outside in search of the "coon." THANK GOD we didn't see any, so I didn't actually have to shoot anything living. However, I did get to practice on the warning sign down on the dock, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
With range practice over, and a photo shoot to prepare for the next day, Dani and I went home. As I climbed into bed, all I could wonder was if this kind of stuff happens to everyone, or if I just attract the crazy into my life. Either way, it was a damn good time and I say bring it on Charleston. We'll see how the photo shoot goes.
