"Granny! I'm home." Redd looked around as she shrugged off her bag onto the floor.
"I thought I told your smart-ass not to call me that. It makes me feel old." Granny walked in from the kitchen drying her hands on a rag that she was using to dry dishes. Redd just smiled and gave Granny a hug.
"Sorry Granny. It's stuck. I've been calling you that since I moved in and it's not going anywhere." Redd smiled and snatched the rag out of the air Granny had throw at her and went into the kitchen to finish the rest of the dishes. Granny smiled at her teenage granddaughter. Just like your mother, Granny thought to herself. She walked into the kitchen and set to making lunch and tea.
"Granny… Why is this week any different from any other week this year? Or last year for that matter?"
Granny frowned. She never wanted to have this discussion with Redd. This time last year Redd didn't have any questions about why, but this time. It was every day.
"Because the woods are dangerous the beginning of spring. That's when the animals come back and I don't want you hurt." Or sucked into the mess I was. Granny kept the last part to herself. She saw Redd wasn't satisfied with the answer.
"That's a load of crap, Granny. You taught me these woods. I love it out here. I know every tree every rock every turn of the river by heart. You know that. Half of the football team wouldn't even come in here and yet you say it's dangerous when you and I live here-" She flinched and stopped talking when Granny slammed a cup down on the table.
"Yes Kaite, I know. Which makes it all the worse." Granny sighed and mentally counted to five before continuing. "These woods are home to some things that both you and I together wouldn't be able to track. Just stay on the trail for a few more days. I'll explain. Just not today." Granny dropped into the chair and rubbed her temples as Redd silently finished the dishes. "I'm going to head out. I'll take Sadie." Sadie was one of the two horses Granny and Redd owned. Sadie and Burakku were their names. Sadie was a brown well built horse with a long brown mane and tail and a white diamond on her head between her eyes. Burakku, Sadie's brother, was jet black but calm and collected. His mane and tail were long and soft. Burakku was Redd's and Sadie was Granny's. Granny pulled on her spring jean jacket and went to get her boots. Redd looked down at the soapy water still in the sink. It was a rare occasion that Granny got upset. A knocking pulled her out of her thoughts and she walked into the front room just in time to see Granny pulling the door open. Sam. With his rifle. Who else would it be way the hell out here?
"May I help you?" Granny feigned a smile. Granny didn't like the hunter anymore than Redd did. Although she hid it better.
"Yea'. I was just wan'in' to let you know I'm settin' up some traps." He must have seen the anger flash over Redd's face because he added, "Live o' course." He hoped it would act as a peace offering for the short visit. He found the women of this didn't like when things were killed for sport the hard way. Granny gave a slow nod catching on to the offering.
"Was there something you needed, Sam?" Granny could have sworn she heard Redd roll her eyes at the false kindness she was showing the hunter. Sam nodded and pointed over his shoulder with his thumb.
"Yea' jus' if you plan on goin' out watch out for the traps. Don't want you to step on one or somethin'."
Granny nodded again. "Thanks for the tip." Granny knew the real reason the hunter was here. He may have been a total creeper of an ass but he wasn't much older than Redd. Granny put them at about two maybe three years apart. She went to go shut the door when Sam said, "Oh, one more thing. Got any extra ammo?"
Redd walked up to the door at this. "Granny, go for your ride. I'll get this." She gave Granny a look that said the hunter might not make it out of this cottage alive if he tried anything and Granny nodded and walked out of the back door, put a lead on Sadie which she used as reigns and took off.
Redd turned back to the hunter. He had stubble over his face and shaggy hair which looked like it would really hurt to brush. His brown eyes stared down at Redd. It seemed like for every year he was older than Redd he was taller an inch.
"What kind of ammo? I know you have more than that rifle." Redd was short almost agitated, which made a small smile cross the hunters face.
"Just for my rifle." He walked into the house as Redd walked off the get the bullets. He looked around and saw that the house was as modest as the old lady was in public. Very warm and comforting. Redd came back with a small white box of ammo.
"Why are you really here, Sam?" Redd's honey-brown eyes narrowed on the hunter who just smiled in a way that gave Redd chills.