The Bridge
#1 of Calling Out
"You know this is the first time you ever asked to get your truck washed?" Gery an aging brown bear asked over the phone as his driver Andrew finished filling out the com-data check he was going to use to pay the clerk.
"Really, well it's caked in dust and really needs to get it done." The black and brown striped ferret answered his manager.
"True, but it's just that you never asked to get the truck cleaned before." The brown bear informed his driver, "Everything going o.k.? This is the first time you've been home in like two months?" Handing over the check to the white rabbit shop owner after it cleared Andrew headed back to his now clean truck.
"I just needed to save up some home time, got a lot to do this week." The ferret replied as he jumped up into the cab of his 2006 white Volvo. "Well take a good rest you sound like you need it." Gery encouraged his driver with concern, "If you need a couple more days you got vacation time you can use."
Pulling the door closed and inserting his keys into the ignition the ferret finished his call. "No, I got all the time I need for this. You take care." Once the bear said goodbye Andrew started his truck and started down the road for home.
Arriving behind the tiny Citgo gas station on the outskirts of town Andrew shut down his rig and closed out his log book for the week. After that the ferret sat still with his eyes closed silently debating his next course of actions. Pulling out his cell phone from his right pocket Andrew flipped it open noting the flashing light indicating a large number of waiting messages he had yet to listen to. Frowning disapprovingly he held down the end key until the phone turned off, the ferret sighed in time with the musical tone emitted by its speakers.
Getting up and stepping into the sleeper cab the ferret began cleaning up his belongings and putting them into his laundry bag. Next he gathered up all the trash into a single bag and placed it next to the driver side door. Grabbing a bottle of Windex the driver then proceeded to clean all of the windows removing months of built up grime and dust. Once the interior of the truck was as clean as the outside, the ferret pulled out his laptop and CD case. Placed them onto of the counter the ferret then pulled out a CD marked ‘sin' which he inserted into the driver, then pulled out a bible which he paged through until he got to John 14:6.
Grabbing a highlighter from the overhead dash compartment the truck driver marked the passage "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Next the ferret pulled out a post-it note placing it next to the passage and writing upon it "then he never heard my cries." After that he laid the bible open next to the laptop and pulled out a black case from under the bunk.
Opening the lid revealed an old model 1911A1 45 Caliber automatic hand gun and a box of rounds. Pulling the gun from its case the ferret pulled off the slide and barrel and began cleaning it with a rag and bottle of oil from the case. Once the firearm passed inspection the truck driver reassembled the parts and pulled the slide back cocking the weapon to test the trigger mechanism. Aiming at the floor even though he knew the weapon was unloaded the ferret pulled the trigger hearing a satisfying click as the hammer fell.
Placing the gun down the driver took a magazine and cleaned it like the side arm. Testing the spring for resistance and wiping away the dust that had collected the ferret then loaded a single round into the clip. Taking up the pistol once more the driver slid the magazine home and pulled back the slide before letting it ride home chambering the round. Removing the clip once the gun was loaded the ferret then place the fire arm into a under arm sling and strapped it on.
With his preparations complete the ferret pulled on a faded blue jeans jacket and grabbing the trash bag then exited his truck and headed down the street. Depositing the trash in the first bin he came to the ferret headed off into the approaching twilight. Working his way downtown the ferret avoid eye contact from bystanders out enjoying the festivities of the fall night in the small city he called home. Making his way to the bridge that ran over the Sheboygan River, the ferret was glad he made it without running into anyone he knew. Stepping up to the rail of the stone bridge the driver looked out over the calm waters taking in the park on the other side as the setting sun cast fading orange hues upon it.
The street lamps where turning on setting the river to sparkling in the night as a cool breeze set the autumn leaves falling placidly into the river. As beautiful as the site was no one was there with the ferret leaving him feel very much alone. "This is not my world. I'm only watching from the outside. They wouldn't let me in. They don't want to understand." The driver said as a single tear ran down his face setting his fur to shining. Pulling the side arm from his coat he let it hang from his side. "If you won't hear me then what else can I do?! I just need one answer! That's all I want!" The ferret growled out desperately.
Standing still for an eternity with the rushing waters as the only reply the ferret fell to despair. "Fuck." Was all he whispered as he raised the gun to his head.