Chapter 511: Murphy Woods

Saturday, February 18th, Morning

The morning started before dawn; pulling herself out of bed, she shook herself awake. Quickly, she got dressed in socks, a sports bra, and matching panties, after which she went into her closet and pulled out her hunting overalls and jacket. She pulled on some long underwear and wool socks, tucking the long underwear into the wool socks.

Flexing her arms, she pulled on her overalls. Next, she donned her hunting boots, pulling laces tight and tying them. She walked out of her bedroom, carrying her jacket, balaclava, and hunting gloves.

Brett met her dad in the kitchen; he had breakfast and coffee ready. Huck sat at the table eating. Brett took a seat in front of her plate. Slowly, she ate her food and looked at her dad.

"We're heading to the South woods; the herd needs culling," Huck said.

"How many bucks?" Brett asked.

"Quite a few, several of them are large," Huck said.

"How many do we have to give to the main house?" Brett asked.

"The usual, one deer," Huck said.

Brett finished her breakfast and cleaned up after herself. Huck followed soon after and cleaned up; he walked over to the gun room and unlocked the door. Brett watched as Huck disappeared into the room; he returned, carrying two rifles.

Huck offered one to Brett. She took the rifle and checked the chamber to ensure it was empty. Brett slung it over her shoulder and held out her hand; Huck handed her a box of ammunition. Brett looked through the box, counting the rounds.

Huck put his rifle down and locked the gun room. He pulled on his hunting jacket, orange vest, and balaclava. Next, he loaded his rifle and carried it outside.

Brett finished getting dressed and loaded her rifle. She walked outside and met Huck by the gator. Brett loaded her rifle into the back, next to Huck's. She climbed into the passenger seat of the gator. Huck got behind the wheel and drove off.

"So, what's bugging you?" Huck asked; typical for him, he cut to the chase.

"Everything just seems out of balance," Brett said.

"How so?" Huck asked.

"It felt weird being pampered in New York, plus the stress of basketball, college, and well Garvan," Brett said.

Huck sighed, "You know; I won the state championship when you were two," she said.

"I remember Daddy James telling me that," Brett said.

"Yeah, it was me; Daddy James, Keith Scott, Reverend Howard, and Cole Brown were the starters; Uncle Andrew was also on the team. We won it the same year your mom and Auntie Tall did. We were on top of the world then," Huck said.

"Why is there more to this story?" Brett asked.

"Only your Daddy James is the only one that won after that," Huck said.

"So, your point?" Brett asked.

"Enjoy things because it might be the only time you have the chance. Considering what you've been through, well, if Brooke wants to spoil you, then enjoy," Huck said as he parked the gator.

They got out and finished gearing up. Huck and Brett grabbed their rifles and headed out into the woods. Huck stopped, knelt, and looked at the ground; Brett took a knee next to him.

"A regular trail," Brett said.

Huck nodded, "Yeah, I've been watching them for a few weeks," he said.

"So, where do we set up?" Brett asked.

"Up ahead," Huck said.

Brett nodded; they stood up and headed down the trail. Huck showed them the spot and set up. They waited, hunkered down and quiet.

They walked out of the woods a while later, each scoring a buck. They loaded them up into the bed of the gator and secured their rifles. Brett got back in the passenger seat while Huck got behind the wheel. They drove off, heading towards Tree Hill Hall.

"Momma said you and her momma didn't get along," Brett said.

Huck nodded, "Your Grandma Maddie and I never saw eye to eye," he said.

"Why?" Brett asked.

"Well, your Grandma Maddie was a particular woman, and me being raised Catholic," Huck said.

"So, she was a bigot?" Brett asked.

"Among other things," Huck said.

"What caused their fall out?" Brett asked.

"You want me to be blunt?" Huck asked.

"Sure," Brett said.

"You," Huck said.

"Me?" Brett asked.

"When your mom got pregnant with you, our Grandma Maddie seemed to have had a mental break, it was crazy, and I hardly understand what happened," Huck said.

"I don't get it," Brett said.

"Nothing to get; that's the meaning of crazy," Huck said and parked the gator. Brett noticed her Aunt Bobbi-Lee was standing by Huck's truck. Brett saw Bobbi-Lee was dressed for being out in the woods. Bobbi-Lee wore jeans, a turtleneck, a winter jacket, and hiking boots.

"Aunt Bobbi," Brett said.

Huck nodded, "Bobbi," he said.

"How are things going?" Bobbi-Lee asked.

Huck picked up one of the deer out of the gator and carried it to the truck. "As good as can be expected," Huck said.

"Alright," Brett said.

"Deer therapy?" Bobbi-Lee asked.

"Yeah," Brett said.

"I remember when your grandad used to take me out into the woods deer therapy," Bobbi-Lee said.

Huck carried the second deer to the truck. He looked at Brett and Bobbi-Lee.

"You used to go hunting?" Brett asked.

"Yeah," Bobbi-Lee said.

Huck grunted, "Yeah, she did," Huck said, dropping the second deer in the truck's bed.

"Brett, I talked with your mom, and if your dad is cool with it, you could stay with me next week," Bobbi-Lee said.

"I already offered for her to stay here," Huck said.

"It's just an option, Huck," Bobbi-Lee said.

"Don't I have a say in this?" Brett asked.

"You do," Huck said.

"Of course you do," Bobbi-Lee said.

"Okay, but we need to talk about this," Brett said.

"Of course," Bobbi-Lee said.

"You can talk, but first we have to clean up and make sure the rifles are taken care of," Huck said.

Brett nodded, "Yes, Dad," she said.

"Start by hosing out the gator," Huck said as he took the rifles out of the gator and headed to an outbuilding.

"Yes, Dad," Brett said.

Bobbi-Lee nodded and followed Huck as Brett stretched out a garden hose to wash out the gator's bed.