Saturday, March 3, 2012

Families are messy - 3


The Mill Creek cabin was just as Casey had left it, even though it had been at least two years since he’d been there. Cabin was probably a misnomer as it had three rooms plus a full bath, but it was rustic and standing as it did in a large stand of trees just outside the National forest the exterior melded into the surrounding scenery.

Duke bayed in excitement when he was let out of the SUV, bouncing about like the puppy he’d been a good four years before. Casey watched in amusement before unloading everything he’d brought with him, toting it into the cabin. The electricity was on, thanks to a call to the man who checked on the cabin weekly to make certain no vandals had decided to play games there.

After putting the perishable food in the refrigerator and the rest on the shelves in the kitchen, Casey went into the bedroom to unpack. When he’d finished he changed into comfortably worn jeans and a flannel shirt and then went out to see what mischief Duke was getting into. Apparently he’d decided to behave for the time being because he was flopped down on the front porch just watching as a couple of chipmunks capered around the small grassy area in front of the cabin.

Deciding that a quick lunch was in order, Casey threw together a couple of sandwiches, munching on one as he gathered together his fishing gear which was stored in one of the closets in the main room. He finished part of the second one, went out onto the porch to toss the rest to Duke, and then gear in hand and the bag slung over his shoulder he headed down to the creek with Duke capering along beside him.

They walked along the creek until Casey found the spot he’d been looking for. Depositing his gear on the edge of the high bank, he readied his pole and cast the line into the slow-moving water. Then he leaned back against the tree behind him, just relaxing as he watched the bobber float.

“This is the life, boy,” he said when Duke settled down, leaning against his thigh. “No problems, no worries, just you, me and the open air.”

As he leaned over to get a bottle of water from his bag a shot rang out and pieces of bark flew from the tree right where his head had been resting seconds before.

“What the fucking hell,” he cried out, jumping to his feet. “Hey, idiot, watch where you’re shooting. I’m a human, the brown animal is a dog, and damn it it’s not hunting season!”

Duke bayed loudly, his head swinging around as he tried to locate the scent of the shooter. Casey grabbed his collar, ordering him to stay. “I don’t want the fool taking another shot, thinking your God only knows what.” Duke quieted down and Casey listened to see if he could hear the shooter. There was a brief rustling in the brush well off to the east of them and then silence.

“Well that was fun, not,” Casey muttered as he debated staying or returning to the cabin. “The hell with it, he’s probably long gone by now,” he told Duke, the decision made. Settling back down against the tree again he picked up the fallen pole and did his best to relax and enjoy the rest of the afternoon.

* * * *

“And that was the sum extent of the excitement,” Casey said in conclusion as he handed Bing a fresh beer. “Other than that I did nothing but not catch fish and sleep and hike.”

“Sounds like a perfect time to me, well except for the stupid hunter, or poacher probably, although why he’d be doing that in broad daylight is a mystery.”

“Probably figured no one was around, or it was just some kid testing out his new gun.” Casey took a long pull on his beer. “Guess I should thank my lucky stars I moved when I did.”

Bing nodded in agreement before asking, “Any word from Kathy?”

“From her lawyer you mean? Not that I’ve been notified about. The only message I’ve gotten on the legal front was my lawyer’s telling me my new will was ready to be signed.”

“Writing Kathy out?” Bing asked, grinning widely.

“You bet.”

“Better be careful,” Bing told him, chuckling, “that will make the rest of us a lot richer if you were to die suddenly.”

“Hey, I’m hardly a billionaire. Alma’s got more money than I do considering who she’s married to.”

“Good point. Hell none of us is hurting when it comes down to it. We might not be wealthy but we’re not going to the poorhouse any time soon either.”

Casey nodded in agreement and yawned prodigiously.

“You, brother, had better get to bed,” Bing said, finishing off the last of his beer.

“Planning on it, as soon as I take Duke for his walk. I have to be bright and chipper in the morning for a meeting with a diamond dealer from out of town.”

“Sounds like your sort of fun. I’ll stick with what I know best, sporting goods. I should get moving anyway. Sammy’s probably wondering if I ran off with some twink from the local bar.”

“As if,” Casey said with a laugh. “I’ve never seen a more devoted couple than the two of you. Tell him I said ‘Hi’.”

“Will do.”

As soon as his brother had left Casey whistled for Duke and they set off on their last walk of the day. Then he collapsed into bed and fell into a dreamless sleep.

* * * *

Out today - Mélange 

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