Part 2
Unbob Finch shivered as he opened the door of his shanty and stepped out into the frigid dawn. Though it was Easter morning, winter had not loosened its grip on the northern plains. The snow crunched under his boots as he crossed his yard and headed up the main street of town. He’d have to hurry if he wanted to be in position when it happened. It was almost time, and it was something Unbob would not miss for anything.
Climbing Cemetery Hill, he stopped and checked his bearings. Yes, there it was: the big rock that marked the way. It wasn’t far now.
At last he reached the top of the hill and turned his eyes toward the west. This was it! As if on cue, the sun crested the furthest ridge of the Eastern Front and sent yellow tendrils of light across the valley floor. Unbob had to remind himself to breathe. He’d forgotten how beautiful it would be.
As the light spread in his direction, Unbob removed his hat and turned toward the dead cottonwood snag. It’s top, broken off years before, lay lodged in the crotch of the tree, perpendicular to the ground. Suddenly the tree was suffused in golden light, and in its dead branches Unbob saw a wondrous sight. Slowly he sank to his knees, his eyes riveted on the cross. Unbob bowed his head and prayed, thanking his creator for His tremendous gift.
When he lifted his eyes again, the light had changed, and once more Unbob was looking at a dead tree. Slowly he rose to his feet, put on his hat, and descended the mountain. He had chores to do.
The End
3/2005
Part 1
Unbob sighed as he eased Matilda back down on her nest. The hen hadn’t given any eggs in weeks. Unbob guessed that she was past her prime. But that didn’t mean she was ready for the stew pot. Oh no. Unbob didn’t eat his friends. He did enjoy eating eggs, however, and Matilda just wasn’t doing her part! In fact, all his hens had been rather stingy of late. Unbob scratched his head. Maybe they needed better feed or something. He’d have to see what he could do about it.
As Unbob disappeared back into his shanty, someone was watching. He settled the basket of eggs carefully on the crook of his arm. He’d have to be careful not to break any more. He smiled. This was going to be fun.
Easter morning dawned bright and early, and Unbob’s mouth watered at the thought of his Easter omelet. He still needed a couple more eggs, and he hoped the hens were cooperating this morning.
Unbob opened the henhouse door and waited a moment as his eyes adjusted to the dim interior. As he approached the nest boxes he blinked, rubbed his eyes, and blinked again. There were at least four eggs in each nest – even Matilda’s! But that wasn’t the strangest thing. The eggs were different colors! There were blue ones, and green ones, and pink ones, and yellow ones, and even a couple of purple ones. Some of them even had polka dots and stripes! Unbob stroked his chin thoughtfully as a slow grin broke over his thin face. The Easter Bunny had done this! That had to be it! Unbob grinned and gathered up the eggs. He hummed as he headed inside to cook his breakfast.
Through a knothole in the henhouse wall, a pair of eyes had observed the whole thing. The eyes smiled as they turned away.
Now, I ask you, was it the Easter Bunny, or was it Luther? Well, Unbob doesn’t know, and I ain’t tellin’!
The End
3/2005
Disclaimer:
Characters and situations from Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years belong to Hallmark Entertainment and are used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended. This story or the new characters created by the author are not to be published on any ftp site, newsgroup, mailing list, fanzine or elsewhere without the express permission of the author.
