Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 1 9 42 "Damn," she says, "is is one of them ten millimeter jobbies." "Colt Delta Elite," I say. "I can't even cock it." "You mind if I try," she says. "Be my guest," I say, but I'm thinking Jesus, make her go away, and then, just like that the rain stops and the sun comes out. "Damn," she says, "this sucker really IS hard to cock," so she steps out of the car, puts it down between her knees where she can get some leverage and cocks it. "I guess it's locked and loaded now," I say, stepping out again. en Daddy surprises us both, walking up the bank with a big rainbow. "Who's your friend," says Daddy looking at me then the warden then the gun. "I'm Bunny Bell Doe Nose," says the warden. "I suppose you'll be checking our licenses, Officer Doe Nose," says Daddy, reaching into his vest. "I'm sure you got one, no need to bring it out. is here's a beautiful gun. You mind if I shoot it?" says the warden. "You're the warden," says Daddy. en she takes it in both hands, points it up and shoots it right at the sun so that the recoil knocks her back against the truck." "Damn," she says, "what you use this thing for?" "Nothing in particular," says Daddy, "I just like owning it. You'd better put it on safety. You've got another six rounds in there. "If you don't mind my asking, how much did it run you," says the warden, flipping up the safety. "About six hundred," says Daddy. "Shit," says the warden, "I wouldn't pay no six hundred for no gun, even if I could knock down a barn with it. is here 357 is all I'd ever need," and she pats her holster then puts our gun back in the truck. Now that the sun is shining, and she's dried out a little, I can tell that the warden is really pretty, and I want to tell her how it was my mom that bought the gun. I want to tell her how Daddy made the sheriff give it to him after the inquest and how he keeps it in his truck even though it makes him sick to look at it. I want to tell her that this is only the second time it's been fired. "at's some rainbow," says the warden . "I'll bet it's four pounds," I say, and Daddy says, "More like three." "No," says Bunny Bell Doe Nose, "I mean THAT rainbow," and she points up in the sky over Daddy's shoulder. Daddy puts his rod UNDER HIS ARM AND HOLDS UP A LITTLE BLOB. ww w.flybillings.com B I L L I N G S L O G A N I N T E R N A T I O N A L A I R P O R T BIL Seattle Portland Salt Lake City Los Angeles Las Vegas Phoenix Denver Chicago Minneapolis Havre Glendive Sidney Wolf Point Glasgow BIL Dallas Daily Direct Flights Weekly Direct Flights Seasonal Direct Flights Daily Flights in Montana Montana is a 4-season adventure! Fall opportunities start with exceptional air service and accessibility. CREATE A MONTANA MEMORY. Start your adventure with us!

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