Rifle

At the height of tax season, when in years past Lenny would have worked straight through lunch, he daily stopped preparing his clients’ returns and crossed the street to visit Dale’s Guns and Ammo. He was a welcome patron at first. Though after he admired the merchandise for two weeks without buying a thing Dale, the owner, became uneasy. Lenny’s fascination began with all the guns, then it was just the rifles, then it was just the Sig Sauer 556 with the quadrail foregrip and the telescoping stock. For several days Lenny regarded it from the counter as if it were a museum piece. Finally he asked if he could heft it. After exploring its weight he quickly laid it on the glass countertop as if he were afraid to get fingerprints on it. He placed his hands on his waist and looked down the barrel. He placed his ear against it. He sniffed the length of it. He presented his id and registration. Ten days later he purchased the rifle. Dale watched Lenny cross the street to place the rifle in the trunk of his Acura Integra. Dale removed the printout taped to the post behind the counter that read “We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.” He replaced it with a printout that read “We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason”. At least Dale hadn’t sold any rounds to Lenny. A week after the end of tax season Lenny returned to the shop with the rifle. Soon as Dale saw the orange trigger lock still in place he knew the rifle had not been used. Lenny asked Dale if he sold plaques for displaying game. We can recommend a taxidermist, Dale replied. Do you think he or she can make a long plaque? How long, asked Dale. As long as this: Lenny enthusiastically held up the rifle. The tag dangled. You want to hang it up on your wall? A smiled poured from Lenny and he nodded. Let me call my guy. Dale moved toward his phone.

BIO: James Moran is a professional astrologer who regularly publishes articles, fiction, and poetry.

Follow his published work here: https://jamesmoran.org/newsletter-sign-up-2