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It was already an unusual Monday morning in Ash Falls. The
town seemed busier and more alive than ever. Talk of yesterday’s church
service was still on the tip of everyone’s tongue, and the shocking news of
Stone and Josie’s engagement was spreading like wildfire.
Stone was at the general store getting supplies and, of
course, taking a moment to visit with Josie. They spent much of their time
planning their upcoming wedding, which couldn’t happen soon enough for both of
them.
The schoolyard was bustling with a mob of excited children;
today was their last day before summer vacation. Daniel would be part of the
graduation ceremony that would be taking place later on that morning, which is
probably why he was feeling mighty full of himself. Though he was wearing a fine
suit and dressed to the nines from head to toe, that didn’t stop Daniel from
horsing around with the other boys.
“Come on, show ‘em what you got,” Nathan urged his
brother. He had been pestering Daniel ever since they got there to share his
secret, but Daniel had kept putting him off.
“Would you just keep your trap shut,” Daniel said,
growing tired of his brother’s nagging. “I don’t want to get in
trouble.”
“What’s the teacher goin’ to do, send you home? Just
show ‘em.”
Finally, Daniel gave in. He dipped his hand into his pocket
and slowly drew out a six shooter. He kept the small group of fellas huddled
together and was careful not to attract attention.
“Is it loaded?” Cody asked as he slid his finger along
the barrel of the sleek gun.
“’Course it’s loaded,” said Daniel as he jerked it
from Cody’s reach.
“Is it yours?” asked another boy as they all looked at it
with gleeful envy.
“Nah, it’s my pa’s. He keeps it right by his bed. Says
he wants to be ready in case someone comes to steal his money.” They all
laughed at the absurdity of a dangerous bandit lurking in Ash Falls.
“What’d you bring it for?”
“I thought maybe we could do some shootin’ out at Mr.
Hawkins’ place later. You know, sort of a celebration and all.”
“Yeah, we could play outlaws,” declared Cody. He started
jumping around Daniel, pointing and shooting his finger like an imaginary gun.
Daniel and the other boys played along, crouching down and running around, like
the game was on. “Here, let me have a turn,” Cody demanded as he carelessly
grabbed the gun.
An instant later the children all covered their ears, while
the citizens and patrons of Ash Falls felt their hearts leap from the deafening
sound of a gunshot.
For a moment the townsfolk looked about, searching for where
the shot had come from, but the screams rising in the schoolyard were an
immediate tell tale sign. People flocked to the school, finding Cody on the
ground, bleeding, while Daniel stood near him, still holding the gun and
paralyzed from the shock.
“I didn’t mean to…it just went off,” Daniel tried to
explain with difficulty, but it seemed that no one heard him; their eyes were
feasting on the injured child.
Stone pushed his way through the gathering crowd, with that
sinking feeling that one of his young friends had been hurt. He scooped up Cody
and Josie quickly led him to the doctor’s office; the stunned audience
couldn’t help but follow.
Brock Johnson worked his way against the moving mass, toward
Daniel and Nathan. As the reality of the situation began to sink in, Daniel
collapsed to his knees, letting the gun slide down into the dust, and though he
didn’t feel it because he was numb all over, Daniel had fallen into the
strange arms of his father. Tears and sobs consumed him.
“Good Lord, Buck, are you hurt?” Brock asked anxiously as
he took his son’s face in his hands.
“I didn’t mean to…it just went off,” Daniel repeated
through his wails.
“Oh thank God you’re all right. Don’t worry,
everything’s going to be all right. I’m here for you, son. I’m here.”
And Brock held his son tightly.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” Brock whispered in
Daniel’s ear.
Nathan threw himself across his father’s back, and
the three wept softly in the empty schoolyard.
©2004 StoriesByEmail.com
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