Jim drives the side-by-side like a maniac. I don’t know when I became someone’s overprotective dad, but I really want to tell him to slow the hell down. I know he has these animals all gated in with no escape, they aren’t going anywhere.
We come to a nice wooded area. The perfect home for some deer to raise a family. Jim grabs two hunting rifles from the back and motions for us to follow him. He shows us both how to hold the gun, letting us know to brace ourselves before pulling the trigger.
“It’s as simple as it seems: point and shoot.”
He looks between the two of us. “Who wants the first kill?”
Lily points to me.
“All right, big man. I’ll make sure you’re set up just right when we spot something, and all you’ll have to do is pull that trigger.”
I’ve never held or shot a gun in my life. Now I’m out here about to murder some baby animal’s mom. Some adult animal’s child. What is this?
We hear a rustle directly in front of us, about 20 yards away. Lily’s hands go to her mouth. Jim steps close to me and aims the gun.
“Whenever you’re ready.”
My finger sits on the trigger. My heart pounds in my ears. I’m not ready. I’ll never be ready.
I look over at Lily. She’s staring at me, waiting for me to be a big hunter man. I look at the deer again, and I swear it looks right at me, pleading for it’s life to be spared.
My finger twitches on the trigger. I can do this. People do this all the time. I let out a slow breath and look at the deer again. It’s eating some grass.
Hell, now I gotta take him out while he’s eating his lunch? That’s not right.
I lower the rifle. “Lily, Bambi’s out there eating lunch, minding his business. I’ve never had deer meat in my life. I can buy some if you want some, but I can’t kill him. He didn’t do anything to me.”
Soft ass,” Jim whispers.
I turn to him. “I heard that.”
“I said it loud enough.”
Lily bursts out laughing, one hand pressed to her stomach.
“You laughing too?” I ask.
She wipes under her eye. “A little.”
“That deer was eating lunch.”
Her smile changes then. Still amused, but softer. “I know.”
“I’m not killing anything while it’s chewing.”
“Okay,” she says, looking at me with a softness I didn’t think I’d see again. “No hunting.”
Jim takes the rifles from me and Lily and walks back to the side-by-side.
“You’re adorable.” She places a hand on my cheek.
“I’m not trying to be.”
Her hand moves around my neck. “I know. That makes it sweeter.”
“So I’m sweet and adorable?” These aren’t the compliments she thinks they are.
“Yes, and that’s why I love you.”
