A Disturbing Nature by Brian Lebeau

Author:Brian Lebeau [Lebeau, Brian]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Tangent Inspired Stories, LLC.
Published: 2022-03-24T04:49:30+00:00

-46-

HUNTING WITH CLOSE FRIENDS

Tuesday, 23 September 1975

Palmer grips the cold, hard steel of the handlebar. He follows Osmond and Ross along the cemetery path in his only suit—black for all occasions, black for today. Along with three family members, they rest Murphy’s casket on the bier next to the grave. Huddled under a temporary canopy, he watches mourners struggle through the short memorial, raindrops beating like solemn drums on the canvas above. When the time comes for him to toss dirt on the coffin, he pulls loose tobacco out of his pocket, mixing it with soil before dropping it in.

After the service, Palmer follows the parade of vehicles making their way to Murphy’s wake. Family, friends, and former coworkers listen to clicks of Murphy’s life spin through a projector, each slide offering a stationary point in the arc of a man’s measure. For Palmer, the images blur as he reflects on the past twenty-five years, wondering who will attend his funeral.

Osmond would be there. Ross, too, along with a few others from the office. Maybe Otis. Would Marilyn fly in with the girls? Palmer has no parents, no brothers or sisters, and just a few aging aunts, uncles, and cousins he hasn’t seen since his father’s funeral a quarter of a century earlier. Outside of work, he has no friends, no drinking or hunting buddies, and just a few neighbors with whom he’s barely acquainted.

Refocusing on the projected 35mm images, Palmer knows Murphy had many friends, part of a colorful life. He also knows his own life is gray—gray like the newspaper print reporting the monsters he’s hunted down. And he knows he’s increasingly surrounded by darkness, allowing the color to seep out and turn black—black like the headlines he’s tried to avoid. His obituary will be unavoidable. He wonders how it will read and how many people will remember his name for his professional accomplishments rather than his personal life. The alcohol in his glass turns bitter.

When the celebration’s over, Palmer walks with Osmond and Ross to the parking lot. Standing near Osmond’s car, they chat for several minutes under ominous but temporarily dry skies.

Ross pats Osmond on the shoulder. “When’s the date, Harry?”

“Friday. It was supposed to be next Wednesday, but Humphrey’s leaving for a trip with his family Friday morning. I think he had enough of filling the acting role. Wanted a break before returning to his old job.”

Ross nudges Palmer’s elbow. “Probably a little pissed off he didn’t get the promotion, too. Right?”

Osmond opens his driver’s door. “I don’t think so. Jack seemed pretty upbeat during the turnover this past week. I’m not sure he liked the hours or the stress.”

Palmer and Osmond exchange a few knowing glances while Ross shares some information about his upcoming weekend getaway.

Osmond settles in the driver’s seat. “What about you, Frankie? When you headed back to Salt Lake?”

Palmer lights his first cigarette in over two hours. “Next Monday. I want to be there for the lineup late next week, maybe stand in it myself right next to the smug bastard.

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