Dinner With An Old Friend by Buddy Gott

Me and Sam sat across from each other at my kitchen table and were about to have dinner. It was supposed to be a happy occasion, but Sam knew me well and he could tell something was bothering me.

“What’s wrong with you?” He asked. “After all these years, we finally did it. Why aren’t you happy?”

“I don’t know. Even though we hated him, maybe we shouldn’t have killed him,” I said.

Sam looked at me like I was crazy. “What? All the rotten things he did to us and now you’re feeling guilty? ”

“Maybe we went too far,” I said. “Sure, he did a lot of bad things, but maybe we should have forgiven him.”

“Forgiven him? Pink snowbunnies would have had to ski in hell before I ever forgave him. He had this coming!”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” I looked down at what was in the dinner bowls that sat in front of each of us. “I just can’t believe we’re about to eat him.”

Sam let out a big laugh. “Don’t go trying to fool me, pal. You’ve been wanting to do this as much as I have and you know it.”

I put my nose close to my bowl and took a whiff. “He does smell kind of delicious, doesn’t he?”

“Then, what are we waiting for?” Sam asked. “Let’s dig in.”

We both began eating and all my earlier concerns were put to rest. “This is the best wabbit stew I’ve ever had,” I said.

“I agree, Elmer. Now, could you pass me a little salt, please?”