Ryan Lockheart stood by the doorway deep in thought. It was a cold autumn day with a slight breeze which shook the leaves from the trees. The beech trees held steadfast as they always did. This obstinate problem plagued the hunters throughout the Adirondacks who wished for clear views of vision and equal shooting lanes as they sought the elusive white tailed deer. The vary same prey that Ryan would pursue on his mini vacation in the Adirondacks.
“What’s wrong Ryan.”
Ryan quickly snapped out of the daze he was in, and turned his gaze onto his loyal girlfriend.
“Nothing babe. I was just thinking about what I had to pack still.”
“I don’t know why you insist on going to that rat infested cabin of yours. Are you sure you have to go up there all by yourself? I would rather have you here with me.”
“I’m sure babe. It’s been forever since I have been to camp, and it’s about time I go. I’ll be safe and sound. I always am babe. You know you could always come with me.” Ryan knew what the answer would be immediately. The only reason he asked for her to go was to fulfill the obligatory request expected of all boyfriends.
“I’ll take a hard pass on this one.” Lindsey didn’t seem placated by his answer, or his request. However she knew better than to argue with him. He was going and that was that. Men never liked to be told what to do, especially a Lockheart. They were as stubborn as an ass. A befitting description for many of the Lockerhearts. However, Ryan was a gentle soul, and she couldn’t deny Ryan his freedom. The only thing that concerned her was that something seemed to be eating at him lately.
She couldn’t put her finger on it, but she knew something was wrong. Ryan was a private man and dealt with his issues in his own way she knew. A week alone in the Adirondack woods would be therapy for him. Highly effective without the copay she mused to herself.
Ryan started piling the copious amount of gear he needed into the truck. He packed away an old cot, two five gallon jugs of water which he filled in the garage, and other essentials he would need for a week alone at camp. The last item to go into the truck was the large gun case. In it were his deer rifles. His .308 Remington outfitted with a scope and sling for watch, or times he would be sitting for long periods of time. The other rifle was a 30-30 Winchester which he preferred to have when making drives, especially through the thick brush. Many afternoons were set aside for walk throughs of the property and adjacent state land. The 30-30 was light and small, perfect for quick maneuvers in the tag alders near the river and swampy areas. Combined the rifles boasted an impressive record of deer and porcupines. The later being hunted mercilessly in his sugar bush after a bad year where a few porcupines damaged many of his best producing maple trees.
Once everything was accounted for and rechecked, Ryan turned towards Lindsey to say goodbye. He held her close in a long embrace while smelling her hair. The lavender shampoo she used drove him nuts with lust. Today it filled him with sadness. The kind of sadness from deep within that can paralyze you with a flood of emotions. Fortunately he was able to hold it together. This way Lindsey wouldn’t worry more than she already was.
“Be safe and bag the big one, oh mighty white hunter,” Lindsey said with a muffled laugh. Since she started dating Ryan she knew he typically didn’t bag anything unless you counted all the sleep he did on watch. She was clearly trying to hide her worry from Ryan, all the while failing miserably.
“I’ll text you how I am each night honey as long as service is good.” Ryan said this is a soft voice meant to assure Lindsey but it clearly did little to help.
“I have to get going if I want to make watch tonight. I’m going to stop by the wood pile on the way out to to get some wood in case the wood at camp is useless.”
Although Ryan cut a few loads of firewood for camp a couple years prior. It was probably dry rotted by now from years of constant exposure to the elements on the decrepit porch connected to the camp. The North Country was in the midst of a cold snap in mid-November and traditionally it was 10 degrees colder at camp because of its location in the deep woods surrounded by ancient ledges carved out of the land by receding glaciers from eons before.
“Ok hunny, I love you and again be safe.”
“Bye babe. At the latest see you in a week.” The promise sounded so hollow to Ryan that it made him uncomfortable in front of Lindsey. It was time for Ryan to go before Lindsey questioned him about why he seemed so distant. Ryan of course knew why but it was important that she didn’t know yet. Ryan needed the time alone to think. To get his bearings and to find true north again.