Vendetta Ended

3Gun strolled behind the stables

paused where they had buried Lean

he nodded at the fresh cut flowers

and the grass kept trimmed and green

He would get in Chester's face

make him pick another spot

no way would he defile this place

with someone getting shot

He sauntered back to the hotel

saw the light from Chester's room

felt something he'd never felt before

an eerie sense of impending doom

No sense waiting,

he'd tell him tonight

Lean's grave was out of bounds

choose another place to fight

The door swung open

when 3Gun knocked

Chester was waiting

his six gun cocked

'Expected this visit,

it's about the spot.'

'That's right. Choose another,

'cause it won't be Lean's plot.'

'In that case . . .'

he dropped his feet to the floor

3Gun saw the pistol come up

and dodged back through the door

The wooden frame splintered close to his face

another shot whizzed past his ear

'C'mon, Sheriff, make it a fight,

you and me. Right now. Right here.'

'Won't be much of a fight

with someone ain't worth my spit.

Must run in the family

this back shootin' bit.'

3Gun backed down the hall,

his gun good and steady

"I'm right here, Chester

whenever you're ready.'

Chester barged out the door

firing his gun

Dove over the rail

and started to run

3Gun followed behind

taking steady aim

He was taking a kill shot

not just to maim

"Fight like a man, Chester

we'll end it today.'

Chester turned and fired . . .

3Gun blew him away.

Back in the saloon

under the stair

the Sheriff drank heavily

propped in his chair