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Show 16 When I came back, the loss of the honeydew had been discovered, and everyone was wondering where it was. All day I wondered if anyone had seen me eat the melon, and the guilt made focusing on walking easy. At the fireside that night, Brother Peters told us about the massacre at Haun's Mill, where pioneers had been attacked by a Missouri militia. "Those they didn't kill they assaulted and left destitute. Some of them they hacked apart with a com knife," he said, making hacking movements with his arm. He was just getting to what happened to the children when he heard laughter from the back. Brother Peters walked back to Bryce and Chad, the laughers. "Do you find something funny about the brutal massacre of your ancestors?" They didn't say anything. "Maybe you think innocent babies murdered is funny." He grabbed the lake baby from Amy's hands. "Is it funny to you if I bash this baby's brains out on these rocks? Is that something you would find amusing? All right then. Show a little reverence and respect." The next day instead of talking to Cody again I lost myself in a familiar fantasy. I played the guitar instead of the trombone and with great passion. The playing was too intense and I would have to take off my shirt mid-show, to the delight of the many women in the audience, as I was muscular and attractive in this fantasy. Afterward those women asked if I wanted to come home with them, but I'd say, "Sorry girls, you're all very beautiful, but I'm married." |