CHAPTER 33 34 35 36 Epilogue
895
900
905
910
915
920
925
930
935
940
945
Bruno comes inside and sees this Rep poking me in the chest with a bony finger. He asks the guy to please stop. Bruno is still a little keyed up. When the Rep ignores him, Bruno accidentally dislocates his finger. Now I gotta take the rep into the office, get some ice and play Florence Fucking Nightingale. He starts screaming about lawsuits. Bruno goes out to the floor and asks a chronicle reporter if he wants an exclusive interview with a state representative. The reporter practically knocks over two girls getting to his feet. Bruno makes the introductions and the reporter notices the ice. Bruno tells him“ Kegels”. I give Bruno a look because he knows I can’ t start laughing when I’ m brokering a deal between these two fine gentlemen. We were all buddies after a few choruses of“ Let it Be” and we broke camp.
This happened a few weeks ago. So I read the report on the shooting and called the Rep. Of course he remembers me. I’ m unforgettable. When one of his constituents gets a gun pointed at him in his skivvies, by one of our boys in blue, he just has to stand up for the little guy. The Rep loved making the call. He said he could hear the hoops being brought out of mothballs and set up on tall stands. Son-of-a-bitch thanked me for bringing it to his attention. I gave him a bigger hard-on than that pretty little wife of his ever dreamed.” George finished.“ Thank you, George,” Sam said.“ Thank Bruno next time you see him. He’ s the one that noticed the reporter and he still asks about you. Now go take care of business. I know you have your hands full.”“ Bye Florence,” Sam said.“ Yeah. I’ m really cute in my little white hat, uniform and rubber soled shoes. Makes me look virginal.” That picture was too vivid and George managed to take her away to his world where she was allowed to laugh.
The paper bag was thick and felt heavy in Eddie’ s hand. He opened the tool room and found a five pound sledgehammer and a leaf rake. He carried the items to the spot where the oak had been removed. The damage from the lightning was too extensive. What was left standing looked ugly and Sam had called the tree service. The stump had been ground below the lawn’ s surface and covered with sawdust. Eddie removed the layer of shavings with the rake. He took the gun apart and set the cylinder separate from the body of the hand gun on the wooden surface. The bullets were in a separate envelope that he set aside. The sledgehammer shattered the walnut handle with the first blow. The tree refused to accept the foreign object. Eddie and the huge hammer convinced it otherwise. With each swing he said,“ Thanks Dad,” until his arms could swing no more. He raked the sawdust over the carnage.
Eddie opened the envelope holding the cartridges. Five bullets and one empty brass shell stared back accusingly and tore a hole in his heart as the sun set. From the window in the master suite, Sam and Tanya watched and cried as Eddie swung the hammer. Tanya wanted to stop him. They could feel the hatred he poured forth with every swing.“ Let him finish and leave his anger out there,” Sam said. Tanya knew she was right, but it was none the less painful to watch.
The dining room was set and the family gathered. Sam had been invited to her mother’ s home for the celebration but had passed when Tanya insisted she come to their house. Sam felt she was where she belonged. Eddie’ s father offered the blessing because Eddie was having issues with God at the moment. He stopped being angry with his father. His arms and back were constant reminders that there was no more fight left inside.
After a quiet dinner, Sam pulled Tanya aside.“ My period should have started two days ago. I have been as regular as the phases of the moon since I can remember.”“ That’ s wonderful!” Tanya said hugging her. Eddie showed his father and mother around the home and explained they planned to move in this summer.
Eddie and Randolph went for a walk. They ended up at the garage and Eddie showed his father his car. Randolph was impressed. They sat in the car and Eddie explained the whole situation. His father listened.“ Not very conventional,” he said when Eddie finished.“ You and mom had separate bedrooms from the time I could remember. Talk about unconventional. When was the last time you two made love?” Eddie asked.“ Our wedding night. The night you were conceived,” he stated without hesitation.