Bryce Angell is a cowboy poet. Angell was raised on a farm/ranch in the St. Anthony, Idaho area with approximately 75 head of horses. Horses remain an important part of Angell’s life.
Angell shares his poetry with Cache Valley Daily every Friday.
My wife declared, a while ago, “I’d like to have a gun.” I asked her, “Are you
scared or do you want one just for fun?”
I told her she could use my guns if she was feeling scared. But she wanted
something smaller, one she wouldn’t have to share.
I hoped that she could shoot a gun. She’d practiced with a few. But my wife’s
request that made me wince: She wanted bullets, too!
With nervous hesitation and a checkbook in my hand, I drove on down to Harold’s
place. I knew he’d understand.
Harold sold guns and gear and recognized my plight. He said, “She’s asking for
your help. So buy one, make it right.”
I trusted Harold’s judgment dang near like he was my kin. Then he showed me a
revolver that was in his clearance bin.
I asked to get a better look. He handed me the gun. A Smith and Wesson .38. My
shopping day was done.
I paid the price. He wrapped it up with bullets, too, of course. I took it home and
really hoped I’d never feel remorse.
I showed it to my wife, and now she had her own defense. We went out in the
yard and nailed a target to the fence.
I thought I’d show my prowess. I knew how to shoot a gun. When I was young my
cousin taught me how to make it fun.
I aimed, then shot. Where did it go? I fired the second round. I hit the target
then it ricocheted right off the ground.
The proof was in the pudding. I hadn’t practiced near enough. But I told my wife
the barrel sites weren’t nearly up to snuff.
Once again she gave me a wifely understanding smile. That seemed to soothe my
manly pride, but only for a while.
My wife reloaded. Then she aimed and fired a single shot. She waited and then
fired five more. It seemed she knew a lot.
She never missed the target. She’d been shooting on the sly. Each bullet had
been placed just right. Two hit the darn bull’s eye.
So, I guess I should be happy, since my wife was tickled pink. And life couldn’t get
much better, ‘cuz I got that special wink.