Just a Regular Guy

Snow blanketed the ground. The trees, frozen in the cold, clacked like old
bones in the frigid wind. In the distance, I heard the howl of my hound as he chased
a rabbit.

His bark drew closer. I got my gun ready. We’d have rabbit stew that night.

I felt a need for relieve myself. The dog’s howl faded away. His quarry turned in a new
direction. I had time to take care of my needs.

I dropped my pants. They nestled in the snow around my ankles, as I reached out
with both hands, and grabbed a branch for support. I leaned back. The branch held me
up, as I relieved myself. My release steamed in the melting snow. In the distance, I
watched cars pass on the highway. It occurred to me, if I could see them, they could see
me, especially when wearing hunter orange. There was nothing I could do but wave.

The dog’s bark grew louder. I needed to get ready. He was leading the rabbit my
way. I let go of the branch with my right, while supporting myself with the left. I
searched my pockets for tissue. Surely I brought some.

My left hand held the branch. My right completed the search of that side. It
crossed my body to investigate the left pockets. There was a snap. The branch broke
and my butt landed in my own steaming mess.

I sat in my own fudge dessert, cursed as the snow froze to my bottom, and
watched the rabbit hop pass with my hound on the chase.

Yeah, I’m just a regular guy.

Michael T. Smith

Story ID:	6657
Written by:	Michael Timothy Smith (bio, link, contact, other stories)
Story type:	Musings, Essays and Such
Location:	Caldwell Idaho USA
Year:	2010
Person:	me

Just a Regular Guy - Part Two