Gunshot To the Head

While Baby Doll sits in the kitchen with the TV on for background noise, Ricky the young sheriff’s deputy is making his way up the long, gravel driveway on foot. He had seen that unfamiliar car leave this cabin a number of times but he never went to investigate, partially out of fear, partially out of politeness. The law never showed up unannounced at one’s home in those parts, it simply wasn’t done. But Ricky’s curiosity was an itch he needed to scratch and his cop instincts told him something was up with the people at this cabin. The APB which he saw posted to the station’s bulletin board showed a picture of Baby Doll and Beau and they seemed to be staring back at him every time he looked at it: “Armed and Dangerous”

As he got closer to the house he could hear the television blaring, doing the best it could to drown Baby Doll’s thoughts. He pulled out his service revolver and exhaled as he got closer to the house. He moved in a semi-circle towards the kitchen window where he saw Baby Doll sitting down, smoking and chewing her nails. Two hand guns sat on the table that were definitely within her reach. Suddenly she turned her head to look outside and their eyes met. In one quick, panicked motion, with the words “ARMED AND DANGEROUS” flashing in his mind he raised his weapon and fired a single shot.

The bullet exited out the back of Baby Doll’s head and she fell forward on the kitchen floor. Adrenaline was coursing through Ricky’s veins and he continued to circle the house, unsure if anyone else was inside and perhaps was preparing to kill him. It was at this time Beau returned from getting provisions when he noticed the sheriff’s vehicle parked near the driveway. Beau decided to drive up the road a piece. He pulled over, got out his shotgun, and started to make his way towards the cabin through the woods. He moved like a wolf, silent, ever mindful, willing to kill whatever he found threatening. After a few minutes of circling, it finally dawned on Ricky to radio in for help. His gun seemed to be superglued to his hands and he had a tough time reaching for his radio, as if releasing his weapon meant certain death.

After working up the courage to holster his revolver he grabbed the radio from his shoulder. Just as he pressed the talk button and said, “This is Ricky,” Beau let loose with the shotgun and put Ricky down. He silently circled the cabin just as Ricky had a few minutes earlier to make sure no other lawmen were laying about. Confident that Ricky was by himself he entered the cabin calling out to Baby Doll. He heard no response and figured she must be hiding. He first went upstairs and then he checked the closets before moving to the kitchen.

When he saw her his mouth fell open but no words came out. Tears welled up and he dropped to his knees and crawled to his beloved. He couldn’t believe it. He knew he brought this on her. On them. He never imagined this is how it would end up perhaps due to his lack of imagination. Just as he was about to be totally overcome with grief he found hope. In his eyes, she had stayed completely true to him. Not only when he was away in jail, but she kept their vow of never being taken alive. He felt like the most fortunate man on the planet, to know and experience a love so true. He had no idea she was about to roll him in exchange for her freedom. He held her tightly, her warm blood smothering his chest as if to physically comfort his heart for the last time, and kissed her goodbye. He gathered what he could and made his way back to his truck. He turned it over and the tires spit rocks and loose dirt as he kept moving.