Chance Encounters

Flying feathers

I woke up to the first time in months, Splash jumping on and off me. I opened my eyes and wiggled out of the death grip Mark had on me. I found a shirt and some panties,putting them on I sighed and followed Splash.

Splash was way more than eager to get fed and so was I. I stumbled into the kitchen and filled his bowl of water then gave him three cups of food. Today was going to be a long day of hunting and that requires energy. Thankfully,Kimmy stocked the fridge with eggs and milk,probably because I was coming here. Turning on the stove I sat the cast iron pan on it. Bacon would be cooked first followed by eggs and pancakes. I threw the thick cut Canadian bacon on,and drizzled some syrup on it. Letting it sizzle and cook I made the batter for pancakes and even started my kettle on the back burner. I look behind me and much to my shock and the two eggs falling out of my hand,Mark was standing in front of me. “Sorry I wasn’t trying to wake you up.” I said, Splash was more than eager to be on clean up duty as he licked the egg and ate the shell. Mark looked at me. His track shorts hung off his hips just enough to show how muscular he was. The no shirt wasn’t even fair, showing off his borderline of having abs. “Yeah? Well what if I wanted to watch? I think you look quite cute as you are.” I smiled, and my cheeks turned a crimson color. He sat down at the table watching every move. Continuing on my journey of cooking breakfast, I managed to complete it without it ending up on the floor.

Mark tasted it, and at first I thought he didn’t like it,but then he chowed down. “Goddamn is this what you natives eat all the time?” I shrugged, “Depends if we have any leftover meat sometimes we add that into breakfast.” I finished my breakfast and put the plate into the sink, the clock read 3:30. “We have a half hour to get ready, and be on the water by 4:30,if you want to come if not we can skip morning hunt and go out at night.” Mark shook his head, “Nope,I’m not here to mess with how you do things. I’m here to enjoy them with you.” I smiled and pecked him on the cheek. Slamming down the rest of my tea I gave Splash a hug, “You ready to hunt?” Splash titled his head sideways then bolting to the door and sitting. Mark smiled at me to which he seen the cheesiest grin in return. “Time to get ready.” He got up and put his plate in the sink. I walked into the bathroom and scrubbed my teeth as he followed suit. Finishing and rinsing our mouths we went and got changed. I opened my hunting bag and grabbed my camo coat,pants and hat. Putting on a thermal base layer then my camo. I had gloves in the pockets already so I went into my dresser and pulled out two boxes of 12 gauge bird shot shells. Emptying the boxes in my interior coat pocket,I picked up my duck call and put it in my pants pocket. I grabbed my Winchester off my gun rack and slung it over my shoulder. Mark,had other ideas for hunting. He sported jeans with a base layer underneath. He had a long sleeve shirt and a camo coat with an orange hat. I raised an eyebrow at him. “Orange?” He nodded, “Yeah it’s the law to have orange on.” I shook my head, “This is native land,ain’t nobody going to be here besides us. On state land I would agree,but here no.” He shrugged, “Keeps my head warm.” I giggled. “You ready?” I asked stepping into my muck boots. He nodded, “I suppose.” He laced up his boots and we hit the door.

The boat was underneath a metal lean to. Loading Splash up,I told Mark to get in and let my truck warm up. The boat was a little aluminum one,16 feet long with a 25 horsepower mercury mounted on the back. The trailer was quite small and I was able to drag it out and put it on the hitch. Mark was petting Splash when I got into the driver’s seat. “It’s only two miles away,we will be on Lake Superior so if you do get cold let me know and we will come in. He nodded, and Splash sat in the middle licking his lips out of anticipation. I cracked my windows allowing the cold air in while the heater in my truck ran at full blast. The gravel road took us to the boat launch. I backed up the truck into the water making sure that I was even with the dock. Once I was aligned with the last pole I threw on the E-break and hopped out. Quickly walking to the boat I in hooked the front of it,letting it float while I had the rope in my hand. Mark and Splash were watching from the truck as I tied it up to the dock. With a huff I returned to the truck. Pulling up into a parking spot. “You wanna get the ducks??!!” I asked Splash as he tilted his head and whined with happiness. Mark smiled as we got out. “That lake looks nearly frozen.” I nodded, “Superior is the coldest lake,but that’s why I have a Chesapeake Bay Retriever instead of a Lab, they are bred for the cold water.” Mark looked at Splash who was already swimming in the cold. I grabbed my gun I noticed Mark was already snapping pictures of everything.

We piled into the boat, I sat in the back so I could drive the boat,Splash sat in the middle and Mark sat in my favorite seat which was the bow. I tossed the hay on the side of the boat. Then after untying the boat from the dock we set off on the coast. We came into a small inlet with the shore about 150 yards behind us. Fallen trees were ahead so I tossed the anchor out, along with the decoys that were stored in the boat. Cutting the engine I handed Mark my gun. “I’m guessing you know how to shoot.” He nodded. I handed him the shells that were in my pocket and I pulled out the duck call. I began to blow into it making the sound of a hen. Then silence. We sat and waited looking off into the horizon of Lake Superior as the sun was rising. I blew into the call again and waited.

Just when I was about to move spots a flock of ducks came flying in. Looking at the decoys then stopping to float by them. Mark shot me an unsure look and I nodded as he began to pick off the ducks. There were six floating and when I was sure that there wasn’t going to be anymore coming I sent Splash out. He jumped out of the boat and swam to the furthest one first. Gently grabbing it he brought it to my hand dropping it then turning around to get the rest. His muscles and body were well conditioned for the cold as he retrieved all six ducks without tearing any of the meat up. The curls that laced his back were doing their job of repelling the water. Once Splash handed me the last duck he hopped into the boat. I pulled in the decoys and drove on the south coast. Splash laid on a towel,as he was scanning the now pink horizon. The sun was starting to come up which meant that hunting would be over in a few hours. I turned the throttle stick in my hand as I picked a shady spot on the coast. There were a bunch of weeping willows on the bank casting out their leaves into the water. I cut the engine and threw out the anchor. Choosing not to throw the decoys,I opted for just using my call. There was another flock flying over head. Mark shot all,but three of them totaling another four ducks. Once all had fallen I sent Splash out again. He retrieved all of them flawlessly. I was grinning, “Ten ducks isn’t bad at all! Hell yeah!!” I screamed thanking my father and ancestors for the hunt. Then thanking the ducks for giving their life so we could eat. I picked up an empty shell that was in the boat, “I’m keeping this so it can remind me of our first hunt together.” Mark smiled and kissed me on the cheek. Splash had a feather sticking out of his mouth and Mark took a picture of that,along with a few of us and Splash. The lake was now lit up as we headed back to the dock.

I pulled into the dock tying the boat up I told Mark and Splash to wait there as I backed the truck up. I hooked the trailer latch to the boat as mark untied it. I cranked the hook in and the boat slid into place on the trailer ramps. Mark hopped out and I made Splash sit in the bed. The ducks were sitting in the boat. Turning on my truck we headed back to the rez.

Everyone was already up and moving around,word of us going out was circulating as we pulled up in front of my house. “Did cha get any?” Tom asked as we hopped out. “Sure did!” I said with a smile, “Mark is a pretty good shot all things considered.” Tom smiled as Splash hopped out of the bed greeting him. “Ahg,you’re all wet dog.” I shrugged, “Where do you want the ducks at?” Tom pondered for a minute then replied, “How bout’ ya take em over to Redhawk, he’ll prep em and prolly’ make some for dinner.” I nodded Mark and I each carrying five. Splash joined us, his tongue was hanging out of the side of his mouth as he trotted along. “Redhawk is my great uncle,really cool guy.” Mark nodded as we made our way to his house. I knocked on the door and he answered. “Ahh yes, I see you’ve got some.” I nodded handing them to him. “Wonderful colors and not too many holes,we can work with this.” He said as Mark handed over his five. “I’ll prep them and we can have smoked duck for dinner?” He asked, I shrugged, “However you want to make them is fine with us.” Redhawk gave Splash a pat on the head, “You there dog bring very good luck.” Splash licked his hand as we told him goodbye.

We opened the door to my house,Mark threw some logs into the Franklin stove as I washed the dishes. “Something about a morning hunt always seems to wear you out.” He said, I smiled, as I put the last plate in the rack to dry. “Yeah,it’s the cold weather.” I responded. We took off our top layer of clothing as Splash decided his spot would be directly in front of the stove. I threw some logs into the fire place and lit a match. I stripped my pants and shirt, “What do you say to a little nap?” Mark was in the process of taking his shirt off, “Absolutely fine by me.” He said picking me up in his arms. He walked to my room laying me gently on the bed climbing on top of me, starting to plant kisses on my neck. “What do you think about going all the way?” I nodded and replied, “Only if you want me like that.” A devilish grin appeared on his face, “Of course darling. I do.”