Shotgun to a fight

As Jay, Rick and I went about our daily business; we would frequently bypass our ‘neighbor’s homes’ along our way down the canyon. If we observed teens and children at play, we’d toss a wave from our 1954 Chevy as we passed by. Hence, though we’d never stopped to say hello; we felt ‘neighborly’ toward them.

One Saturday after playing tennis at the courts near our Auburn High School; we commenced our drive up the canyon to our Lake Tapps home.

It being around noonday; we spied a number of children at our neighbor’s home and tossed our customary wave as we passed by. Thinking nothing of the gesture; we continued our drive homeward with myself at the wheel. Suddenly, I observed a car attempting to bypass us on the narrow two-lane country road. Furthermore, it was attempting its bypass as we quickly approached a 90-degree right turn (which we boys were familiar with). Alarmed at such foolish behavior and endeavoring to avoid a clear attempt to ‘drive us off the road’; I rapidly screeched to a halt half-way into the deep roadside ditch - bordering each side of the road. We’d come to a forced stop only feet from and within clear view of the 90-degree right turn. As we’d clearly been forced into the ditch; we boys emerged from our car to confront the occupants of the now stopped vehicle that had ‘run us into the ditch’. As we did so; we discerned that the offending vehicle was occupied by two ruffian appearing young men seemingly in their early 20’s. Irritated at such offensive driving; I along with Jay and Rick shouted our queries as to why we were being so roughly treated.

The two men retorted that we’d somehow gestured at them profanely as we bypassed our neighbors. (Such was clearly not the case.) To this accusation, we angrily replied that we’d simply waved at our neighbors as we passed by - unaware that a following car might take umbrage at what they interpreted as profane gesture! We exchanged irritation with the men; and then boarded our vehicle; racing around them to avoid any further (nonsensical) exchange with what we believed to be disreputable louts. Inasmuch as we were but a few hundred yards from our home driveway; I sped to our home and drew clouds of dust as we skidded to a halt in our dirt driveway.

Directly opposite our driveway was Edwards Road; leading down a brief lane away from our home and toward Enumclaw. That road had shown itself to be a somewhat byway for vehicles; and therefore, it was not without expectation that our accosters rounded the corner onto Edwards Road. Being significantly angered at our offender’s behavior and bolstered by our arrival home; we did emerge from our car with tennis rackets in hand. 

Furthermore, as our offenders rounded onto Edwards Road; we each did ‘flip them off’; believing they’d be watching our arrival. Apparently, we each were confident in his brother’s 6’ manly stature and willingness to defend one another. Skillfully wielding tennis rackets, we were confident that we’d be able to defend ourselves against two ruffians angling for a confrontation. As we stood there amidst settling dust; we observed the offending vehicle turn around and approach the T junction at our driveway’s entrance. Appearing to invoke further confrontation and now knowing where we three lived; we watched as they parked their vehicle about 30 feet from ‘our’ intersection. Wielding our tennis rackets; we three brothers ventured into and across the intersection as if to accommodate these ruffian’s challenge. As we did so; I observed that they withdrew a chain and tire iron from their trunk to arm themselves with escalating fighting equipment.

Recognizing that the confrontation was rapidly escalating into a serious conflict; I ran into the house and quickly gathered a single shot 12-gauge shotgun (I knew where it was) and shoved a number of shells into my pocket. I knew the gun was empty and did not want to tempt myself with a loaded gun. I then tore out the front door to rejoin my brothers who were exchanging taunts with the louts – about 25 feet apart - aside our intersection’s grassy side. As I emerged; the ruffians now began to taunt me - inasmuch as I now held the most escalating firearm. 

One taunted saying he did not believe the gun was loaded. I let him taunt for a few moments and then declared that they’d best be gone. I explained that I was resolute and took a few steps toward them as if to convey that I was no longer ‘kidding’. And I was not! Upon further taunting; I flicked the gun open and inserted a shell to convey that the gun was now certainly loaded. The ruffian now taunted that I’d never shoot the gun. With that, I pointed the gun near where he stood (where I was confident the pattern would not strike him) and pulled the trigger. The gun exploded and the grass near his feet disappeared. Quickly I ejected the spent shell and loaded another. I then pointed the gun directly at my antagonist and growled: “Do you believe me now?” I then declared through clenched teeth (because I meant it) that if they wanted to ‘rumble’; “the first shot was going to go directly into his belly”: I was now pointing the shotgun directly at him and knew I could not miss at such a short distance. By this time several cars had bypassed our skirmish and observed the situation. I still don’t know if anyone other than us heard or observed my weapon’s discharge. I suppose the ruffian believed me (which he should have; or I’d have been writing this from prison as a murderer. I was truly, deeply angry at these two idiots.) because he and his companion returned to their vehicle and departed down Edward’s Road.

Though I don’t remember any discipline nor negative feedback regarding the skirmish from parents; I do remember that for weeks I was cognizant and wary that these two ruffians now knew where we lived and might revisit our home under cover of night. Such never took place and the event gradually faded into distant memory – except for me who had never pointed a gun at another human being and truly meant to blow him away if he were to venture even slightly toward myself or my brothers! 

I had decided to bring a shotgun to our fight!