The Other Girlfriend

Thanksgiving

Liam’s POV

                “I wonder what my dad will be greeting with you today?” Sarah asked awkwardly.  Right now, we’re on the road to her house in Nashville to celebrate the long break together and for me to meet more of her family.  I’m driving this time since I know how get there generally.  I’m looking forward to the good times ahead with her family, but then there’s her dad…

                “I’m not sure.  I don’t think it can get more intimidating than loading a shotgun,” I told her.  Sarah then starts bursting out laughter.  I look over and I see she’s still laughing.  I, more or less, am quite confused by what she’s doing.  “What’s so funny?”

                “Liam,” She starts laughing again, but then she calms down to resume what she was saying, “I can imagine worse.”

                “You can?” I asked mortified. “Like what?”

                “Well, he could be ‘practicing’ his shooting with any of his gadgets he has whether it’s a rifle, a bow and arrow, and don’t even get me started on his BB guns,” Sarah resumed, “I could see him also proudly displaying his catch of the morning from hunting in some form or fashion.”

                I’m not sure if I want to ask what he hunts necessarily.  So I drop it at that, so I decided on a happier subject.  “I’m looking forward to this break though.  If I have to deal with your dad to be with you the entire break, I am more than willing to do it.”

                Sarah smiled her shy smile that I find extremely attractive. “I’m glad you’re willing.  I think he will better this time since it’s the second time around.  I hope.”  Sarah paused as she looked around to see where we are. “Oh, we need to get off the road soon, we’re close to the house.”

                For the next ten minutes, I follow Sarah’s instructions as we navigate the back roads and small highways to her house.  Finally, we pull up into the driveway and to my surprise I do not see Mr. Carlton outside.  It’s not until I open the door that I realize he is doing something outside as I hear something heavy drop to the ground.

                “Dear Lord, why does he have to do this?” Sarah said agitated. “I think I know where he is.”  Silently, I followed Sarah around to the back of the house.  After we walked closer and closer to the back, we did find him.  I flinched as soon as I smelled what he was doing.  The smell of raw meat and blood filled my senses as I approached him gutting a deer carcass. 

                Apparently the sound I heard was him removing the guts of the deer I assume he killed earlier today.  The deer is already skinned as Mr. Carlton removes the nasty part of the deer. “Sarah,” He said gruffly when he looked over his work.  He dropped his giant machete that he likes a little too much for my liking and proceeds to a hose where he washes the grim off his hand.  “Are you doin’ good?”

                “Yeah, we’re done with school for the week so we’ll be here for the whole week!” Sarah said happily.  I’m trying to decide if the smile she has is faked or genuine.  I think it’s a combination of the two sides.  Is that even possible?

                “Great!” Mr. Carlton boosted. “I should take Liam huntin’ one day.  Every Carlton man must have gone huntin’ and fishin’ at least once in his life.”

                “I’ve been fishing before,” I told him. “I do like it. I can’t catch much in England though,”

                “You can catch good stuff out here, boy,” Sarah’s dad responded back.  The conversation is distracted when I see Sarah’s older brother Sam is here as well.