Chapter 59: Murphy House

Monday, January 2nd, Afternoon

Tree Hill Hall was not far from Murphy House, and in normal weather, they would've walked down the hill. Today it was still bone-chilling cold, and they drove down the short dirt access road. Chase looked over to her husband as he drove. She missed the walk, in fact, it was a walk with Brett and Kelly when they came upon the ruins of the old Tree Hill Plantation House that gave Chase the idea to build Tree Hill Hall.

Huck had a stern mask on his face. The years had taken away the brilliant but unfocused boy, leaving the brilliant but serious man. The inner child would still come out, as would his eccentricities, but he was as much a man as anyone she knew. Chase also knew that Huck really didn't want to do what he was about to do.

They parked Huck's pick-up next to Kelly's Wrangler and her mini-van. Chase wondered if the Wrangler was even registered anymore, as Kelly never took it off the property. Everyone on the property had at least one four-wheeler in the household, most of the place was connected by dirt roads, except for a few places with gravel.

The husband and wife climbed out of the truck. Chase was by no means short, she was the tallest of her sisters, but Huck was a giant compared to her. When he played at Georgetown, he was listed at six foot five inches. He was slender but solidly built and was a three-sport athlete in high school. Chase knew Brett inherited a lot from him, her height and hair color were two. Brett even played the same position on the basketball court as her Dad. Chase reflected Huck wasn't a typical jock or redneck.

"There is nothing left for me to do but to go and see General Grant and I would rather die a thousand deaths," Huck said.

Chase looked at Huck, "Why did you say that?" she asked.

Huck sighed, "I don't want to hurt those kids. Holden's the only family they have left, and they'd be put into the system," he said.

"Huck, what use is he to them at the bottom of a bottle?" Chase asked.

Huck shook his head, "I know what it's like to lose both my parents," he said.

"You were twenty-two when Cade died, not a teenager, they can't take care of themselves," Chase said, "It's different, and it a significant difference."

Huck sighed, and they walked up to the porch of Murphy House. Typical for this time of year, no one was out here, so Huck knocked on the door. Kelly came to the door and smiled at them when she opened the door.

"Huck, Chase, what a pleasant surprise, come in, I was about to make some tea and do some work while Rian is having a nap," Kelly said.

"Rian still naps?" Chase asked.

Kelly nodded, "Yeah, gives me about an hour to myself," she said.

"That's always a good thing," Chase said.

Kelly smiled, "Yeah, I almost forgot what it's like to shower in peace," she said.

"Oh god, yeah," Chase said, "It was great when Col finally went to school."

Kelly nodded, "So, what brings you down here on your day off Huck?" she asked.

"Well, it's not like I live too far away not to see my favorite sister," Huck said.

"So, who are you bullshitting, Huckleberry, why did you come down? Need a babysitter?" Kelly asked.

"No, we don't need a babysitter," Chase said, "Let's have some tea."

Kelly smiled, "Sure, follow me," she said, and they walked into the kitchen of Murphy House. Huck and Chase took a seat at the table and Kelly started the kettle. Once that was set, Kelly walked over to the table, "Would you like anything with your tea?"

Chase shook her head, "No, I'm good," she said.

Huck nodded, "No thank you," he said.

Kelly sat down across the table from her brother and sister-in-law. She looked them over and studied each of them. Kelly noted the once youthful face of her brother had taken the weathered and tired look their Dad had. Since their Dad died, Huck took it the hardest, but he grew the most.

"So, what are you two up to?" Kelly asked.

Chase shook her head, "Not me, I'm here for moral support, for this big wuss," she said.

"Moral support? This is most interesting? So, now you have my interest really peaked," Kelly said.

Huck was about to say something, but the kettle started to whistle.

"Hold that thought, Huckleberry," Kelly said, got up and went to pour three mugs of tea. Once Kelly had finished with it, she brought them to the table and set out everything. Kelly smiled and took her seat again.

Slowly they made up their tea as they liked it. Kelly found it odd that Huck was having tea since he didn't like tea. Kelly noted that Chase was an equal opportunity drinker when it comes warm or hot beverages.

Huck took a sip of his tea. Kelly almost laughed from the look on Huck's face as he sipped on his tea. Chase just shook her head to keep from laughing.

"You're not into tea, are you, Huckleberry?" Kelly asked.

Huck shook his head, "No, not really," he said.

"So, don't drink it," Chase said.

"Fine," he said and pushed it away.

"He's always been that way," Kelly said.

"Yeah, I noticed, I've lived with him almost as long as you have," Chase said.

"True," Kelly said, "So, enough with the idle chatter, why are you here?"'

Huck took a deep breath, "I was down on the Kilpatrick's this morning," he said.

Kelly nodded, "As I asked you to," she said.

Huck nodded, "Alright, yeah I got into the house and found Holden," he said.

Kelly nodded, "Did you deliver my message?" she asked.

Huck shook his head, "No," he said.

"Huckleberry, why not?" Kelly asked.

"Well to put it simply he had all the sheets furled and flapping in the wind," Huck said.

"What are you talking about?" Kelly asked.

Chase sighed, "Huck, can't you say anything simply," she said.

"He was drunk at like eight o'clock in the morning," Huck said.

Kelly nodded, "So, Holden Kilpatrick is a drunk," she said.

Huck nodded, "A chronic drunk, he was jaundiced, when I found him," he said.

Kelly sighed, "So, that's why the girls are covering for him," she said.

Huck nodded, "I ran into Marie as I was leaving," he said.

"Does she know what you were doing?" Kelly asked.

Huck smiled, "It's me," he said.

Kelly nodded, "So, what did you do?" she asked.

"I was pretending to stalk the south herd," Huck said.

"They've been good since you put out those feeders," Kelly said.

Huck nodded, "But the Kilpatrick's get their money not from farming the land, so, how would they know about the deer?" he said.

"So, Marie had probably been running that land," Kelly said.

"One would assume," Huck said.

"How old is Marie?" Kelly asked.

"Seventeen, she's a senior in high school," Chase said.

Kelly looked at her, "How do you know?" she asked.

"Brett mentioned they have a class together," Chase said.

"I see," Kelly said.

Chase nodded, "Yes, you can," she said.

Kelly nodded, "Now I have an issue here," she said.

"What would that be?" Chase asked.

Kelly sighed, "I have a tenant who is basically so drunk he's neglecting his four minor children," she said.

"Tell me about it," Huck said.

"What does that mean?" Chase asked.

"I have a duty to act," Huck said.

Kelly sighed, "You didn't see anything, this is my issue to deal with," Kelly said.

"Kell, I can't not be involved," Huck said.

Kelly sighed, "Huck, Holden Kilpatrick is my tenant and my problem," she said.

"Why does it fall on you?" Huck asked.

"Because I'm the Mistress of Murphy House," Kelly said.

Huck nodded and looked down at his tea mug.