HOLDING MY 7mm-08 CALIBRE RIFLE, I was crouching,
walking slowly and moving quietly through the thick eucalyptus woodland. I’d deliberately stop to look around and
would proceed carefully while stepping on top of a pile of soaked fallen leaves
and branches. I was trying to avoid
disturbing the magpies that must’ve been seeking refuge in the warmth of the
canopy after the heavy autumn rain earlier this afternoon. Having been exposed to quite a few hunting safaris in Africa I knew
that birds taking off would scare the game animals away.
She was following right behind me, dolled up in my other
pair of camo-foliage suit—awkwardly mimicking my steps and posture. I extended my right arm and using my palm, I
gave her a signal to stop walking. Then I
peered through the gum tree branches hoping to see a herd of deer but what I saw
was a vast and lush lucerne paddock on the other side of the fence and a massive flock of sheep grazing farther afield. There were no deer...
Though obscured by a few streaks and bunches of hovering
clouds, I knew that the sun was setting behind.
The sky above the western horizon had been gradually painted with magical
shades of pastel orange and black—a beautiful remnant of that watery vapour that decided
to keep sailing up there after the rain.
“James, can we sit down for a moment? I feel so exhausted.”
We crossed the fence, and sat next to each other on a
small bed of rock. I laid my rifle down beside
me and wrapped my arms around her. She rested her head on my shoulder. Underneath
the mud-covered sole of my hunting boots I could feel the drenched soil beneath
the dewy carpet of lucerne.
A flock of wild ducks instantly flew low over the
man-made canal next to the paddock—creating some moving silhouettes against the
final glow of the day. Then she broke
the bad news to me!
“I only have six months to live; my oncologist
discussed the test result with me the other day.”
I was lost for words.
I didn’t want to lose her!
I looked straight into her eyes and I noticed the gleam
of the scarlet sky reflecting off her pooling tears.
A cool, gentle breeze swept through.
.
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