Everett sat in the barn. He had lost all track of time while cleaning the sadle that had transported the elk meat. He didn't know if he had been there for ten minutes or an hour. He just knew that he wasn't happy. 

He didn't know how to feel about Nina. Yeah he liked her… A lot. But the idea of talking about his feelings or trusting someone was a bit more than  he could handle. More than anything he wished his parents were there to talk to him. Just point him in a direction, something that would tell him what was the right thing to do. For all he had done and accomplished in his short life, this was gonna be one of the hardest. 

When he was done Everett put the saddle away and went back to the house. Aunt Lou had just hung up the phone. “That was another college wantin to talk to you about play for them. Can't put them off boy.” she told him disappointment I her voice knowing he WA gonna brush this one off like he had all the others. 

“Who was it this time?” He said distracted. 

“Texas. Could be big for you. Really big.” She was  trying to get some kinda reaction out of him. 

“They're gonna be down for the next few years. Charlie Strong has kicked the best players off the time for whatever. Any calls from the SEC? “ He knew the answer before he asked. He was a top ten player in the state, but that didn't mean much as Washington wasn't exactly known for putting players in the pros. 

“None you wanna go to. Ole Miss, Vandy, South Carolina, Kentucky and Missouri.” She knew he didn't wanna hear those names but he was gonna have to pick one before too long. 

“Ole Miss could he fun. Don't keith that I'd ever win big there  but it might be fun. Let me know if Tennessee or Alabama calls. Hell I'd consider the Pacific, if the right called. Stanford should be good this year” He said staring off into space. 

“Maybe after the season. You know how it is back home.” 

“Yeah, another season like last year and a state should get me some looks, I know I can't work but I don't know what they're gonna say about me owning this place. Hell I don't know that we can survive that long without the hunts.” Everett said rubbing his temple. 

“We'll be good son, don't you worry.” Aunt Lou was trying to comfort him.

“Yeah… Yeah, Imma go see Momma and Daddy. You need anything while I'm out.” Everett said with a certain amount of heart arc and sadness in his voice. 

“Don't get hurt. Imma need that NFL money.” She said with a laugh. 

Everett just waved and got his riding gear on. On his bike he took off. Back to the graveyard his parents were buried in. He had made one stop on his way there. A gas station, full for his bike, a pack of smokes and a six pack of cokes. The kind made with real sugar. The kind his mother loved best. 

Just as before he sat in his helmet. This time he lite a cigarette and opened three of the coke bottles. Placing on each gravestone. They had done this a lot, drinking cokes on a cool summer or fall day. 

“So uh, how you guys doing… Yeah I know, I've seen you guys a lot lately. Once is an instance twice is a habit. Right Daddy?” Everett said before a drag. 

“I know Momma, you hate when I smoke. You gotta work with me. This ain't easy. Grandma and Grandpa are still alive… You guys ain't… I ain't mad about it. Salty as Aunt Lou would say…  She's doing good though, bout as ornery as ever. You'd think the old bag would have calmed down but she's still as mean as ever.” He tried to force a smile as if they were right in front of him. He took a drink from his bottle and chased with another drag.

“I wanna… I came to tell yall… I met a girl, Nina. Her Daddy's a lumberjack. They got much, Momma you if you saw her I'd brake your heart. Girl's clothes as ragged mine, but… She ain't got a choice on the matter…  I wanna ask her out but ain't I gotta talk her Daddy or the like…. Man alive, I've staired down and killed just about every animal in the northwest but that girl just worries me something awful.” Everett took another after killing his cigarette and lighting another.

“...Ole Miss called the other day. I ain't called em back yet. I'm still holding out for Tennessee or Alabama. I'll worry about it at the end of the season… I know you'd be proud of me, just wish yall could be here to tell me.” He took his last drink and wiped a tear away from his. That last part hurt the most. Knowing wasn't the same as hearing it. 

“I gotta run but I love you guys. I'll come back after while and let you know what happened with Nina. You guys would love her.” Everett kissed their gravestones and got on his bike. He noticed that he had a text message from Gerard. Rowdy as Everett like to call him. He wanted another ass kicking. Who Everett to deny that? 

To: Rowdy. 
I got drum of ass whuppin I can open up . All you got to do is say when. 

Everett hint  the send button and strapped his helmet on. He wasn't ready to go home. He just wanted to ride anywhere. Stopping to think about everything going on right now was more than he wanted to do. 

As he pulled out of the graveyard, he pointed his bike north and hit the gas.