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We’ve taken a number of private cars from the airport to the estate, and it’s just Dad, Karl, and I in the one I’m currently in. The driver takes us around the circular driveway, stopping at the front steps of the estate and joining the row of cars that have already arrived. I step out of the vehicle, taking in the grandeur of my uncle’s. The sweeping lawns and thick forest on the property’s edge are a far cry from the busy city life I’m used to, and the air is crisp and fresh. Out here it smells like evergreen and the underlying, deeper scent of the woods, which tells me it should be a satisfying hunt. We are suitably far away from civilization, my uncle’s estate the only home for miles.
Leopold comes out of the home and down the stairs, his arms open wide to greet his brother with an enthusiastic embrace and hearty laugh. He slaps my father on the back a few times before letting him go and moving to me, where I receive the same treatment.
“Johannes! Sebastian! So good to see you. It’s about time that you come and visit,” he booms.
I have to admit, it’s good to see my dad laugh and some of the ever present stress fall away from his face as he talks to his brother. He reminds me of a younger version of himself; the man who taught me how to shoot a gun, how to drive a car, and how to treat a woman just by watching him treat my mother with so much love and kindness over the years. Now…he’s different. Distant and strung out. But it’s a bit of a relief to see that the better version of himself is still somewhere inside, deep down, showing through now as he reconnects with family.
Karl exits the car and stands next to me with his hands in his pockets and aviators covering his eyes, watching the two older men as well. Leaning closer toward me, he lowers his voice and comments quietly, “He seems happy.”
“I don’t believe for a second that this hunting trip was anything but a way to further the business to him, so this is definitely a positive side effect that I didn’t expect,” I agree, crossing my arms and turning my head to look at Karl. “I guess we should go make sure all of our group is alright and find their rooms okay while the senior citizens catch up, huh?”
Karl snorts, but follows along. “Yeah, you’re probably right. Let’s get to it.”
Leopold’s staff unloads everyone’s things and does a decent job of escorting all of the businessmen to their rooms while Karl and I go with them, shake hands, and answer any lingering questions they may have about the upcoming hunting trip in the morning. Most of them hunt on a regular basis, while others have never held a gun in their lives, but there are a few that land somewhere in between and express interest in having a lesson to reacquaint themselves with shooting a rifle and all the little details that come with such a hunt. Happy to have something to keep myself occupied, I agree to gather with them on the edge of the property right before the forest begins where Uncle Leopold has a few targets set up and go over the basics so that everyone who is interested in hunting is able to do so. It wouldn’t hurt to get some practice in myself, and Karl seems agreeable to helping me. It’s shaping up to be an enjoyable evening, all things considered.
But, on the edge of my mind, like always, there is something haunting me. Or someone, I should say. Julia, her laugh like the ringing of angelic bells, her skin like the softest silk, her hair that smells like vanilla and juicy oranges exploding on my tongue. It’s fair to say that I’m obsessed with the woman, and as much as I want to drown in that obsession and turn myself over to it fully, I know this trip is a blessing because it will give me the time to clear my head and approach the relationship with her in a proper way. I want to marry her, make her an honest woman, and then indulge myself in all the wonderful things Julia has to offer.
That such a smart, clever, and gorgeous girl would knock me off my feet out of nowhere wasn’t something I ever anticipated, but it’s certainly been a pleasant, if undeniably frustrating experience. There is just one barrier that is forever in my wavy: her mother.
I look over again at my father and uncle. Two powerful, influential men, my father especially. He should be more than a match for Margaret Van Dieren, but everyone I meet, Mom and Dad included, seem to handle the woman like she’s a burning hot coal in their hands. When we get home, I’m going to have to put my foot down with Dad and have him help me with the Margaret situation, leaning his importance in society in my favor to help turn the tides. I’ve given him so much of myself for the family business, and will continue to do so, albeit to a lesser degree if I marry Julia, for the foreseeable future. He might not approve of the match fully, but I’m confident he will help me.
I think of my sweet mother reading on the terrace, her beloved face in the light of the sunset, loneliness radiating from her even if she will never speak of it, and decide to leave her out of the situation if at all possible. She’s going through and has been through, enough already.
***
The sun is beating down on us as we make our way to the back of my Uncle’s property where the shooting range is. Everyone has their rifles slung over their shoulders and the energy is relaxed. The range hasn’t been used in quite some time according to Leopold, but we don’t need any bells and whistles to accomplish our task. Just a safe place to shoot and some targets.
Karl and I are joined by five businessmen who will be joining us on the hunt tomorrow. They’re the part of the group that has all shot rifles before, but it's been a while for these five, so we’re giving them a refresher course so the hunt tomorrow can go as smoothly as possible.
I can’t help but feel a bit nervous as we approach the range. Shooting is serious business, and safety is always a top priority. But I remind myself that I’ve been handling firearms since I was a kid and that I know what I’m doing, and from what Karl says, he is a pretty accomplished hunter, too. Surely the two of us can handle five grown men that are at least passingly familiar with a gun.
Karl is leading the group, walking them through the basics of safety and handling. He’s a natural teacher, patient and encouraging. I’m impressed by his expertise and his ability to make the experience fun and accessible for everyone.
“Alright gentlemen, let’s get started.” I speak up once Karl has finished going over the very basics. “Grab your rifles and take aim at those targets over there.”
Karl then speaks up again. “Remember, steady hand and deep breaths. Don’t want to miss and have a buck charging at us.”
There is chatter of agreement from the men.
“Yeah, we wouldn't want that now, would we?” I chuckle, loading my own gun and entering one of the separated shooting booths and pulling my ear protection on.
“I haven’t shot a rifle in years. I hope I haven't lost my touch,” I hear one of the clients, named Ralph, say.
“Same here. I used to be a pretty good shot though.” Another one answers, and I frown, not liking the uncertainty in their tone.
Walking closer to them, I give them a pat on the back in reassurance. “Don’t worry, it's like riding a bike. You never forget. Just take your time and aim carefully.”
“And don’t forget to exhale before pulling the trigger,” Karl adds from the booth next to mine.
“Good point. Alright, let’s get started. Ralph, you’re up first. Take your time and don’t rush.”
As they take turns shooting and giving each other pointers, the atmosphere becomes more relaxed and playful. Even the businessmen who were initially nervous start to enjoy themselves.
“Hey, I think I hit the bullseye!” I hear Ralph say, and smirk. So far, so good. They’re all having a good time already and we haven’t even had our first official hunt.
Karl whistles in appreciation. “Nice shot! Looks like you haven’t lost your touch after all.”
I line up and take a few shots myself, the bullets sinking into the wooden targets covered with paper bullseyes and emerging to thunk into the dirt berm. Each shot of mine rings the center of the bullseye, with two of them hitting directly. “See? I told you guys it’s like riding a bike.”
