The rattlesnake in the sack was singing as I came up to the driver's side. I tried the door and it was locked. I went around to the passenger's door and it was also locked. I looked around for a big rock before I noticed the window was down an inch or so. I'd once seen a snake slither under a porch door through a gap tighter than that.
I undid the wire and worked the end of the thrashing bag between the window and upper door frame until I felt resistance. Then I shook the bag. I felt the creature inside balk momentarily before it decided that opening was the way to freedom. I pulled the empty bag away and pressed my nose to the glass.
In the moonlight I could see the snake stretched across the seat, its head bobbing as it checked out its new digs. When the singing stopped I turned and looked at the cabin. They'd painted it white and added a small front porch with a swing. I didn't like the music they were playing inside.
I thought about what I'd just done. I pictured those two brothers getting into the pickup in the early morning and disturbing that rattlesnake. I felt a twinge of remorse and walked toward the cabin with the idea of knocking on the door and confessing. I got almost to the porch before I remembered how they'd both smiled that day down by the creek. I reminded myself there are some crimes that cannot go unpunished.
I went on down the lane to the pickup, tossed the empty gunnysack in back, and slid in beside Merlin.
"What the hell you do that for?” he asked. “That snake was gonna win a prize."
I pulled my wallet out, found two twenties and a ten, and dropped the money beside him. I'm not a nice person, but I like to pay my way. I looked at Merlin and said, “The opportunity presented itself."
Copyright © 2010 Bill Pippin
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EQMM, May 2010 Page 19
