Lord, how did I get here?
I let go of the rope to let Wendy lead him off to the jail. This one started a fight at Charlie’s Place, smashin’ a mug over some guy’s head for a dollar.
Anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
I stand outside for a moment, giving a stretch to my back after hauling the man down the street. In doing so, the light flashes across the star pinned on my jacket. I smile slightly as I remove it.
It’s a strange little thing … proven time and time again to be heavier than it looks.
If any man will come after me, let him take up his cross, and follow me.
I promised Pa I’d carry this old cross ‘til the day I die. But these days, this badge is the real cross I bear. I never aspired to this, that’s for sure. The chapel is where I belonged. The smell of the pages of the book before me and the glorious sound of hymns in my ears was for me heaven on earth.
Thinking back now, I guess that’s why I came out here. Didn’t seem right that I had what so many didn’t. I’d hear stories about the frontier … hard times, harder locales, and many without hope. That’s all I wanted to bring, but, Lord, I guess you had other plans.
I still remember the face of that girl, black and bruised, blood matting her auburn hair. The time for hope had run out for her, and as she rested in the arms of the Lord, all I felt was the need for justice.
That which is just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the Lord giveth thee.
I pin the star back onto my jacket, my eyes shift to the sword hanging at my side. Suppose that’s why He gave me this. I never would have figured myself for any blade until I needed one. That … thing, whatever it was, should have killed me. Had me cornered in that railyard with not a bullet left. As I scrambled in the dirt for survival, the Lord placed it into my hand.
Blessed be the Lord, my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.
It always seems to come back to you, Lord. You led me here. As long as You are with me, I’ll protect hope for those who seek it in this place, and I’ll serve You in justice as long as there’s work to be done.
“Excuse me, Deputy?”
I turn to the voice that bids my attention only to be met by tinted glasses and wild hair contained beneath a purple bowler. The man’s lips part to a sharp smile as he presents a stuffed toy bunny.
“Ever perform an exorcism before?”
Odd request … fits the man… may be time to get back to work.