Fish with Earth

"Is the earth being swallowed by the world?" he asked out of the blue while we were driving past the shipyard. Boats flying by with their hulls nestled in blocks and stands, it was almost time to paint. I smiled and said, "I don't know, Dad," looking at him for a hint. He had a very dry sense of humor, so I thought he might be joking. But staring straight ahead with his hands on the wheel, he wouldn't say any more, and neither did I. We were on our way to the bridge, so it must have been a long drive ahead, but I don't remember where we were going. I just remember looking at him and thinking- I have to write that down. It's been 20 years and I still don't know what he meant.