LeRoy takes Lee on her first turkey hunt

     LeRoy gently placed Lee on the cool morning ground, indicating with a tough of pointer finger to lip for the continued need for silence.  Lee nodded solemnly, stood as still as any 3 year-old could, and watched in awe as LeRoy prepped for the shot.
     The gobble of the turkeys distracted Lee, her attention was now wholly on the small group of birds who were slowly gaining on their position.  Her excitement overwhelmed LeRoy's silent command, and she reached up and tugged the bottom of his camouflage hoodie.
     "Turkeys." she whispered.
    LeRoy nodded and whispered to his oldest, "Yes, Lee, those are turkeys.  Stay quiet and stay put beside me, like we discussed back at the truck."
    She mimicked his nod, her attention once again captivated by the birds.  LeRoy drew the gun up firmly against his right shoulder, zeroing in on the tom.  He clicked off the safety and had his finger resting on the trigger, waiting for it to come just a tiny bit closer.  In just a few seconds, Lee and he would have their first-
    "TURKEYS!"

    LeRoy flicked the safety back on and reached for his daughter, but she was already tearing off after the fleeing creatures.  He followed in her wake, feelings of disappointment surfaced at the loss of the shot but were quickly broken by his feelings of pride and joy in Lee's unrestrained enthusiasm at being in close proximity to the birds.  Besides which, he thought to himself,  it just gives another reason to come back out another day, with decidedly different results. 
     LeRoy let Lee run until she was so tired she asked for her daddy to pick her up and carry her.  He scooped her up in his arms and she laid her head down on his shoulder.  LeRoy kissed her forehead and headed back to their vehicle, Lee asleep before five steps were taken.