LIW&B Chapter 6 (ending)

Mel understood everything. The gravity of the moment crushed the haze around his thought. It was a brilliant orchestration of events that required weeks of planning and it was done by a 4 year old. Sparing the lives of these detestable animals drove him to such lengths. Mel was speechless. He had to sit down.

"What's wrong, Daddy?"
Mel waved him off, "Hold on, Happy, just give Daddy a second to think."

The old man tore between love and fear. He could feel the impact of his decision. It would be life changing for the boy. Mel wanted to nurture Happy's instincts for love and value of life, but he couldn't leave him vulnerable. The boy had to be tough in this world, but maybe not as tough as Mel had to be at his age. The old man did his best to avoid considering the consequences if he made the wrong decision. His toughest part as a parent was holding permanent influence. Mel had made a lot of wrong decisions in his life. How could he guide another?

A flash of primal forgiveness opened the old man to actually driving with Happy outside of town and releasing the rats somewhere. Hell, maybe he could even bring his poles and teach the boy to fish! The flash passes as flashes do and Mel returned to reality.

Mel had looked at rats as mean, treacherous animals and saw no purpose for rodents in general. Close to thirty years living in a junkyard made rats enemies for life. He'd never be able to look at them like his son. They were dangerous. It had to be made clear to the boy without stifling his spirit.

Mel looked up from thoughts and faced his son. "We're not driving them to the country," he said.
The crack of Happy's excitement broke his heart. It was visible as pouring water on flames, extinguishing his smile.
"Why not?" Happy cried.
"Because we can't Happy," Mel struggled to be gentle, "These are dangerous animals. If you jumped in the box with them they'd try to eat you!"
Happy hung his head and weeped quietly. Mel grabbed his shoulders, unable to stand the guilt.

"Not all animals are your friends, Happy," Mel warned. "Not all people are either." Mel thought of Happy's arrival in his truck cab all those years ago.
"What ya did here, son, it's amazing. I can't say how proud and happy I am to be your dad." Happy faced his father with tears streaked on his cheeks.
"But these rats will never place nice," Mel lectured. "And takin' them to the country won't change how mean they are. They'll just be mean to somebody else."

The rats squeaked at their mention. Happy's mouth was straight. The old man felt he was getting through what he wanted.

"I can't spoil ya and make ya think we can save all these rats, Happy. I'm gonna kill 'em all, but I won't make you watch." Mel waited for more tears that came fewer than he thought.
"And I won't make you watch again," Mel promised. "You proved to me how much it means to ya."
Mel pulled his son in for a hug. Happy buried his face in the old man's shoulder and finished his crying. It wasn't long before he pulled back with a last request.
"Don't kill 'em near row 6. That's where they came from," Happy pleaded.
"I won't," Mel agreed. "I'll take 'em the other way."

Mel stood up and told the boy to go inside. He picked up the box and put it in the bed of his truck. He drove to the east side of the yard and unloaded, proceeding to grab a shovel and bury the rats alive in fill dirt. He was smiling the entire time.

Afterward, Mel sat in truck for a long time thinking of a way to make it up to his son. He felt the lingering effect might do more damage than good. Happy had received nothing from the negotiation. Finally, the perfect idea hit him and he sped back to the trailer to pick up his son.

Mel and Happy drove into town to find the Humane Society and brought home two litters of cats.