Ratification

The piercing sound of a single shot rang out, followed by a grunt and then the saddening wail. A mass of black dots flashed up against the blue sky, now littered with tiny birds. Suddenly the wind stirred me and my phobia of seeing the beautiful animal destroyed shook me. I was chilled not only by the breeze but the sight before me.

What level of desperation must I seek to please my father? Accompanying him on his weekend hunting trips was one of the keys to satisfy him. Why did I need his stamp of approval at the age of twenty?

These questions flooded my mind as I leaned on the fence rail awaiting the nausea to pass. The sight sickened me as always, but he knew that. He pulled up the head of the deer, insisting I look. Laying it back down on the leaves, he stroked its head as if to offer some type of appeasement. I wondered if it was for the deer or me.

***

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