OF Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Chapter 7 by 7H3 L337 0N3
A low hung sun shined with a deep orange light on the edge of the horizon. The sun's light tainted everything with the rich color. The water of the river's surface was calm, slowly moving at a lazy pave, looking like a river of gold in the sunset. The green grass at the bank was a think green and a finger's length tall. Some brush past the grassy bank rustled as an aged man passed through it, traces of dust and pollen were kicked up into the air. The decently clad man sat at the edge of the bank, breathing slow and deep while looking over the river. To his left there was a large spot of light green grass, lower than that around it.
"Hello Lennie." The man spoke in a cracked voice. "It's been a long time." George pulled up his knees and rested his over-worked arms on them. "It's…nice to be here again." He hesitantly spoke. "I've been meaning to come sooner, but not allowed at the time."
George's mind drifted back to the day of his friend's death, eyes glazing over. "That day still haunts me Lennie. After I returned to the farm with Slim, I drank. I drank hard. Whit came back too with the deputy. The event was explained, and the guy left. Saying that, 'It was the most agreeable action at the time.' That month I was able to keep my job, though I only got a fraction of the pay. Candy and me did get that house by the way. It took us another three months, but we bought the damn thing. We worked hard on it and turned it into a perfect place. Candy got a little obsessed with the garden. He turned it into a little memorial, if you will, for you. It's beautiful. The rabbits love it." A single tear slowly rolled down his cheek and fell to his arm.
"Things shouldn't have turned out this way…" George continued. "If only you realized what you were doing…But it couldn't be helped Lennie. Curly would have dragged out your death. I can't say that what I did was right. Only that I did it out of mercy. Not anger…not fear…not greed; but mercy."
George had dipped his head down, looking at the low grass spot. "Lennie…" He whispered, another tear dropping from his face. Lennie please forgive me." Hi sat there, silently crying. A slight rustling could be heard coming from a bush behind him.
A pure white rabbit, healthy in size, hopped out of the brush. It made its way to the los grass and placed itself in the center. There wasn't a speck of debris on its fluffy, yet silky fur. Its eyes were like glass, a sky blue in color. George could no longer contain himself. His voice broke. "L-look Lennie, you finally got your r-rabbit…" He managed to get out. He felt relived, at peace with himself.
The sun had set and the moon was out. The soft blue light shone down on the river. The river was now a flow of liquid diamonds, refracting the light, and setting it onto George's face. He fell to his back and closed his eyes. George slipped into a contented sleep.