h2>Dating : A Visit from the Old Man
for Mark Seidler
Funny story. So, I’m in the woods, minding my own business, chewing on some bark, you know, facing a new day. I’m feeling good, with minor aggravations, the right front hoof is not what it was, I am NOT looking forward to sparring with young bucks this spring. Like I said, minor.
Then it comes in over the wireless. The antlers tingle, I reach for it, yes, I’m definitely getting something from HQ. So I follow, I go down to the road, the big one, and I’m definitely getting — ‘CROSS.’ Oh boy. Right? But it’s quiet, still pretty early yet, and so I go. Without incident. ‘Keep going,’ I get. Okay, so it’s not that. Today’s not the last day, I’m thinking. So I go on. What the hell is it then?
I’m walking and I start to get this funny feeling. The antlers are going crazy, this real deep thrum. I’m getting it real clear, like not since I was a kid.
At this point, I just let the antlers lead. They say right, I go right, they say left, I go left. And I’m walking, I see, straight into buildings. Crossing roads, parked cars, the whole bit. I keep going like I’m pulled. So I see the one with the blue pond inside the glass. Never understood those, but I’m thinking now — this is about a sighting. Somebody needs to see deer right now. I’m guessing a kid, some noisy tyke is due for a wildlife sighting. But it’s empty, water still, and I can’t figure out what’s next. So I walk around the side — they got some nice shrubs over there, by the way, if you ever get the chance.
Then I get it, boom, on the wireless. “This is Hy.” And a man gets in, old guy, not from around here originally, no Indian, that’s for sure, but he’s all right. Just wants to see something. So I say okay, I’ll be your pony, let’s go.
So now we’re right up to the glass. They’re huddled inside, the people, a big herd of them, low down. Oh shit — legs say, Bolt! — but there’s no orange. My heart was thumping, I’m just saying. And there’s one at the front of the herd, higher up, making with the voice, and it’s clear this is the one Hy came to see. Eyes lock. “This one. This one’s mine,” he says. And I can see the one inside finally focus, you know how slow they can be, and I feel something get passed. Family stuff. Then, heads start to turn and Hy vanishes, pfft! And it’s time to get the hell out of there.
And on the way back, I’m feeling real good, up for anything. The antlers are still buzzing and I feel strong, could run for miles. And in the spring, any young buck that wants to make a play is gonna get spanked, let me tell you. Then I think about going round to see the kids today. It’s been a while and a little time with the young ones — not a bad thing, you know?
