Rabid Recall: CH3 - After the "Accident"

Third prompt.
Today, a gun has to be a part of the story. If you can't have guns because of period, dimension, space travel issues, invent another weapon and tell me about it. You do not have to hurt anybody.
Have any character in your story say or think a profound philosophical phrase.
Remember to highlight the prompt words/phrases in bold, or ALL CAPITALS, or color.
Due on or before October 21, 2009; 11:59PM WDC time.


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Rabid Recall

Chapter 3 - After The "Accident"

by Indelibleink

Eddie turned off the chain saw just after he had finished cutting about half of the branches that were strewn around the perimeter of the tree stump that was destined to be Eddie's "easy chair" for the next fifteen or twenty minutes. It was unusually warm for the day after Christmas, and, as did many folks, Eddie had the day off. He took a seat and watched Shaun throw some of the smaller sticks for Happy to go and 'fetch'; marveling at how big the little Lab had gotten in roughly six weeks. Happy was in such a growth spurt that he was incredibly clumsy, and it wasn't unusual to see him trip over his own paws while in full stride. Knowing that it typically takes a Lab about six months to reach full size, including a weight of anywhere between 80-120 pounds, Eddie figured Happy had to be about 55 pounds already. With about four months of growth to go, based on the stated birth date of Oct. 31 on the dog's papers, this dog was going to be a monster. Just as Eddie was about get up to resume cutting, he noticed Lizzy heading his way, with a couple of drinks for the two of them.

"Perfect timing." Eddie was pretty thirsty from the work that had consumed most of his morning. With a sly grin, he added, "I'm glad you came out to help me carry this stuff...It's heavy," wincing emphatically as he said the last word. He moved over, and motioned for his spouse to join him on the wooden seat, which she did.

"Nice try," Elizabeth countered, but with only a trace of a smile. You know, every time I 'd looked out the back window since Larry's...accident...all I ever could see was Larry...and the rope..." Elizabeth's voice broke off into an inaudible whisper.

"Lizzy! I know it's a terrible memory. But think how horrible it might have been. Thank God that branch broke and the other branches helped break his fall. Really, it was sort of lucky he picked this tree." Instantly, Eddie regretted saying that, as he immediately felt Elizabeth's eyes penetrate his. "I didn't mean there was anything lucky about that day, Lizzy. I just meant that we could have easily been left without our oldest boy if things had gone differently. It really is fortunate he only has a broken ankle and a broken wrist."

"I know what you mean, Eddie. But what do we do now?" Elizabeth's feeling of despair was rapidly increasing. "What are you going to do after you're done with this tree, Eddie? We have probably another fifty trees on our lot. How do we make sure this doesn't happen again? Are you going to cut every tree down, Eddie? And the neighbors have trees. What do we do about that? Are you going to cut..."

"Lizzy! Stop! I know!" Eddie felt that this was a critical time for he and his wife, and that the only way the family had a chance of weathering this storm was by Lizzy and Eddie keeping it "together" at all times. "The good news is that Larry doesn't remember anything about the incident, Liz. The psychiatrist hasn't seen any indicators that Larry might repeat his actions."

Eddie leaned over and gave his wife a reassuring embrace.

"Eddie, I don't know how I'm ever going to feel relaxed when Larry comes home. Every time he disappears, I'm going to wonder where he is, what he's doing, what he's gotten into..." Elizabeth stopped in mid-sentence, as a new thought took over, "Eddie. What about your old hunting rifle? You don't even hunt anymore. There's no need..."

"Don't give it another thought, Lizzy. That thing is as good as gone. In fact, if I get this mess cleaned up in time, I'll run it down to the police station this afternoon. They'll dispose of it."

"Thank you, Edward." Elizabeth turned and grabbed Eddie's arm. "Eddie, how did we let this happen? How did we not see the warning signs with Larry?"

"I've been thinking about that, Liz. There were plenty of circumstances: the baby, me working more, the arrival of Happy, Shaun spending all of his time with the dog...You know, I think it was Thoreau who said, 'The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer.' No, wait. It was Edward R. Murrow, not Thoreau. Anyway, we were just way too busy to see it. But the signs were there. We all became preoccupied with our own lives. Sort of ironic that the preoccupation almost cost us a life, huh?"

Eddie got up and moved over to the chainsaw. Elizabeth followed him, and gave him huge hug before turning and heading back towards the house. 


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