Easter Is Almost Spoiled by Michael Schlamp
By Michael Schlamp
After finding all the Easter eggs, Billy was ruthlessly cajoled into going hunting with his father. Ever since his father landed the new job, Billy rarely got to see him. According to his parents, he couldn’t pass up the opportunity for quality time. Sitting around and eating the candy would have to wait, the outdoors were calling.
The peacefulness of the woods made Billy almost forget about chocolate treats. He and his father didn’t disrupt the quiet to talk. Their footfalls were their only sounds. Billy knew better than to complain about the growing burden of toting the 410 shotgun, his unexpected Christmas present. “That used to be your grandpa’s,” he was told. “You can give it back to him,” he responded.
Billy froze a moment after his father. The rustling of the brush banished his fatigue. Out jumped a rabbit. Abiding by the philosophy that animals didn’t harm him, so why should he them, Billy leisurely raised his gun’s barrel. There was no hesitation beside him. His father raised and fired. Twenty-five feet away, the rabbit ascended, dropped, and stopped moving.
Trotting to his prize, the father held it up for his son to see. Beaming, he celebrated, “Looks like I shot the Easter Bunny.”
Billy’s jaw and heart plunged. No more Easter Bunny. No more baskets and candy and eggs for every little kid. With tears streaming from his eyes, he aimed and pulled the trigger. His father spun sideways, teetered, then collapsed to the ground with the lifeless Easter Bunny.
Fueled by devastation, Billy ran all the way home and into the arms of his mom.
“What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
Looking up into the loving eyes, Billy sobbed, “Father shot the Easter Bunny.”
Tightening her hug, the mom smiled and assured, “Your dad didn’t shoot the Easter Bunny. He was only teasing. I guarantee you he just shot a regular rabbit.”
Since his mom never lied, Billy laughed and leapt around in glee.
“Hey Billy?”
“Yes?” the son inquired, pausing his celebration.
“Where’s Daddy?”
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