Deer In The Headlights - Part II

Deer In The Headlights - Part II - A Ride In The Clouds

Sheriff Lowell stopped his Jeep one hundred feet from the cabin. He sat and stared straight ahead. After more than twenty years he still found himself spending many sleepless nights after performing this part of his duties.

As he approached the door, Susan, a forty three year old ex-dancer appeared in the doorway. Sheriff Lowell started to speak “ I don’t know how too…” Susan held up her hand and stopped him. “Yes, I know “ she said. “I felt it”. Susan motioned for him to sit on one of the tree stumps next to the door. She explained that she had meet Shotgun twelve years ago while working. She rode with him to his cabin one night and they had stayed together ever since. It really wasn’t much of a cabin. Two rooms and a woodstove. But it was all they had needed.

Sheriff Lowell had listened in silence. He was still trying to make sense of what had happened. As he started to speak he noticed a very peaceful look on Susan’s face. “We’re still not sure what happened,” he explained. “When we arrived at the scene, the motorcycle was almost literary wrapped around a tree. There was a pile of bloody clothes on the ground”. He looked at Susan, but her expression remained calm and peaceful. Continuing, the Sheriff said, “But the strange part is there was no body. No bones. No nothing”. We brought the dogs out and they found nothing either. The only thing we found were deer tracks on the soft shoulder. Two sets. Probably a Doe and her Fawn”. The sheriff paused and looked again at Susan. Still no change. “The investigators think that animals took him. I’m sorry Miss”. Susan just smiled and thanked him.

After several moments of silence, Sheriff Lowell said his condolences and headed for his car. Susan sat on the stump and watched as he vanished down the road heading away from the cabin. After the Sheriff was out of sight, she stood and walked toward the cabin. Susan stood in silence, smiling as she watched Shotgun roll the brand-new 53’ Chief, fully packed for the road, out the door and rest it on the kickstand. “Get into you riding clothes” Shotgun said. “We’ve got a three thousand mile ride to do”...

Having served many years in the military, mostly in communist countries, Shotgun was appalled at how Man could treat Man. When he got out he vowed to never harm anyone or anything that could not defend itself. When he saw the deer’s in his headlight, his decision was made. The only way out was blocked by a tree. Shotgun instantly made his peace with himself and headed toward the tree…

As Shotgun approached the Pearly Gates, the Gatekeeper was so taken with his act of unselfishness, that He gave him two options. Option one: He could stay there and ride the clouds for eternity. Or. Option two: Shotgun could return to Earth. But the Doe must take his place, thus making the Fawn an orphan. Shotgun took option one. The Gatekeeper hesitated a moment studying Shotgun, then said, “ Option three it is”. Before he could ask, Shotgun found himself engulfed in a blinding light. Moments later he was in his cabin next to Susan, sitting on his new bike.