“Wildflower Ballet” by David Taylor
And A Time to Dance By Dagny McKinley 1911 – Rifle, Colorado “Make sure you have a clean shot. There’s no need to make it suffer,” said Sam “Pop” Perry. Charlotte raised her gun, looking into the bear’s eyes, which were wide with fear. “See, Pop, she’s nothing but a sissy.” Charlotte’s older sister, Marjorie, stepped up and sighted the bear with her own gun. A shot rang out. The bear dropped to the ground. Shallow breaths replaced grunting. Resignation replaced fear. “That’s my girl,” said Charlotte’s father, clapping her on the back. Charlotte watched the pain fade from the bear’s eyes as the life went out of her. “I won’t do it again.” She looked to her father, tears running down her face. “That bear would kill you without a second thought.” “I won’t kill another animal.” “What’s the matter with you?” Sam Perry turned away from Charlotte to Marjorie. “Help me gut it.” They skinned and gutted the bear as the sun set behind the mountains. Charlotte’s friend Portia reached for her hand, squeezing it in sympathy as they tended to their horses. On the ride back to camp, Charlotte’s lagged behind the group, feeling like an outcast. Their guide, Blaze, wasted no time cooking the bear meat with potatoes and beans. “Help yourselves,” he said. As they did, he offered his version of a prayer. “For any food, we must be thankful. Thankful for those who brought us this meat and thankful for the bear who gave her life so that we might live.” “You done good, Charlotte,” said her brother, Bobby, trying to lighten the mood. Charlotte pushed her food around her plate Sensing her sister’s defeat and going in for her own kill, Marjorie cleared her throat. “You know, I saw the strangest thing when I went to fetch water yesterday.”
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