Chapter 6: One Sunday Morning
So, on the way back home, Becky had given Baron his bottle which helped to calm him down from that terrifying incident with Hunter Smith. Guilt had washed over her for having yelled over at him and given the thought that she had dragged her baby into a bad situation, when she should have tried setting a better example by not letting her anger take control.
"Don't be scared little one," Becky whispered softly, still feeding Baron as she sat in a chair to hold him in her arm. "I'm so sorry for what happened. There ain't nobody here that's gonna hurt you no more. He's gone now, and Pa will be home soon."
She had burped him a few times after the bottle was half finished…. something she remembered that her mother did after she was born. Soon it was time for his nap, so she placed Baron in the cradle after changing his diaper and washing her hands with the soap she bought. She gave a sweet smile and turned the music box to set beside the cradle which she knew would help him take the rest that he deserved. The lovely tune had finished long for Baron to close his eyes and have his tiny body relaxed and relieved from the hard day, too tired to see Becky place the same bunny toy into his crib for further comfort and peace.
"I better get supper ready before Avery comes home now," She whispered, carefully stepping away from Baron's crib. "Baron may even be awake by then."
She had hoped nobody in town had told Avery about what happened, fearing it would drive him into a furious rage bad enough for him to confront Hunter over at the jail house and only make things worse for Sheriff Hawktail, locking him in there with that horrible brute. So, once he came home, the potatoes were boiling and the kettle full of tea was singing.
"I'm home Becky Darlin'," Avery sang after he closed the door and hung his hat up. "And is that dinner cookin'? Cause my mouth sure is waterin'."
"It's so good to see you home Avery," Becky had welcomed him with open arms and into a hug. Seeing him brought so much relief and warmth inside her that nothing else from today matter anymore. "Supper will be ready soon, but you should help me with the tea and bread I bought while I take care of the salmon."
"That I will my dear wife," Avery said. And he helped Becky set the small table and cut the bread in several slices and placed a lump of butter in the middle.
Baron was up at this time and had a small plate set for him and a small cup of milk while his parents would stick to the tea in the kettle. The salmon smelled so tempting and delicious as it sizzled in the pan, making everyone hungry and longing for it to be done instantly.
"Now we're ready," Becky had announced as she was bringing the salmon over for everyone, cutting three slices, but cutting a smaller piece for Baron, as she would help him eat. Rather than discuss about today's business, they would eat first so their meal would not get cold.
"Mm, this is so delicious my love," Avery had complimented, eating the first couple of bites. "Where did you get this?"
"From Pronghorn's General Store," Becky answered him, feeding Baron small pieces of the salmon bit by bit. "He offered a good deal for the items I could afford right in the basket. Says he has no problem in helpin' out folks who are strugglin' financially."
"Oh, now Becky, you know we're getting' by alright financially," Avery said, chewing on another forkful of the salmon and swallowed before he finished. "We may not have much right now, but Mr. Charles Ganders is payin' me fairly."
Becky sighed. "I ain't complainin' Avery, but the cost to put children into school deeply concerns me. I still can't believe the amount their asking for an education."
"I know it might seem hopeless now Becky," Avery hoped to be as reassuring as he could, even at the dinner table. "But Baron's still an infant right now and it's up to us to teach him a few things at home first so he will know how to behave and soon get used to be bein' around other folks. We would not want him to go in unprepared, would we?"
Becky could only nod in agreement, knowing that Avery had a point there and maybe there was no use for her to worry too much about things like daily activities and education for their son too soon.
"You're right Avery," She smiled, feeding Baron another small bite. "Perhaps I'm just overthinkin' on everything too soon about the future when I should be happy that we're still getting by alright."
"Besides, whatever career Baron chooses I'm sure he'll be happy to work there," Avery had insisted, still enjoying the cooked salmon. "He might be endin' up makin' a huge difference someday."
"Just as long as he don't dare to take no career in the life of an outlaw," Becky gave Baron something to drink in his small cup when she said this. "That's no future for our son to be on the run from the law."
"That ain't gonna happen to our Baron, love. You and I know how to keep our son on the right track through life; he won't fall down that path."
"Then if we're to set a good example for our son, I have to keep you on a tight leash just the same." Becky sounded a bit firm when she said this, but still remained loving and calm at the same time, in a tone that had Avery knowing what she meant by that.
"Oh now, Becky love, what reason would I need to gamble?" Avery almost coughed on his cup of tea when he said this. "I'd be a fool to bet our life savings over at the saloon. My own cousins warned me about the trouble and tragedy it brings if it clings onto you once started. Believe me Becky, I promise that I'll stay away from that place. We wouldn't want Baron to think that it's normal to see drunks roamin' those streets at night."
"Or catchin' them saloon gals laughin' in back alleyways doin' who knows what," Becky added cautiously.
Other than becoming a gambler, drunk, or an outlaw, she would not want her little Baron to grow up into a womanizer that would only fuel the hatred and mistrust other folks have towards the buzzard civilians wanting to live normal lives. She and Avery both loved Baron enough to only want the best for him when he grows up.
By the time that Sunday morning had arrived, Avery was wearing his starched church shirt and tie on, and Becky had put on her best Sunday dress that she had for as long as she could remember. They had hoped by the time they reached the church house, it would mean to meet and greet their new friends, riding their one and only wagon down the streets on the way there, waving to neighbors with some of them answering back in their own ways to say hello, on their way to worship or returning from church.
Becky had fussed with her hair, trying to keep it in place. Avery had noticed this when they were still on their way riding down the road, struggling to keep the wind out of her face.
"You know Becky darling, it might help to wear a hat on a windy day, so your hair won't get in the way of your eyes," He advised.
Becky had pushed a lock of front hair to the side and muttered. "I know Avery, but I ain't so sure I can afford a hat at the moment."
"Maybe you can kindly ask Mr. Pronghorn to offer a fair discount the next time you drop by his store," he suggested, with a gleam in his eye. "I'm sure you'd look quite stunning in a hat with feathers or flowers."
Little Baron somehow started to giggle in her arms, throwing his arms around as if he understood where the conversation was going.
"Oh no, not you too Baron," Becky had laughed when staring down at Baron, tickling his beak a bit. "I haven't even imagined what kind of hat you'd wear once you're full grown." She saw him giggle some more when she beeped his beak once more.
"The only hat he'll be wearing for now is a baby bonnet," Avery had snickered. "Most likely a top hat or cowboy's hat would fall over his head."
Becky turned to look him in the eye. "I know that Avery, I just thought we could lighten things up here with a little humor. It's starting to put a smile on Baron's face."
Avery couldn't help but wink at Baron, seeing that Becky was right in this slight humor. "If you ever decide to wear a hat one day, just remember to wear the right size." Both parents ended up laughing good naturedly when it came to talking about hats for men and women. Baron may have been too young for a real hat now, yet it was still a fun discussion that they all enjoyed, even when seeing that he was learning how to giggle at such silly talk.
Around the bend near town, Becky saw a several ruined fields where trees had been cleared. What could have become a good farming community for birds of all species had been ruined and wasted. In its place, more than fifty workers had been constructing something on top of it, meaning they had started on this most likely more than a month ago. And they haven't explored this part of town too soon. On the crest of the hill, Becky had asked Avery to halt the wagon.
"Oh, will you look at that Avery," she said with displeasure, pointing to woods to the left where there was construction going on. "That's a waste of good land they've ruined in the name of progress."
Avery had moved the horses along to not hold up any other wagons that might come up behind them. "I know it's frustrating to see acres of forest cleared away like that for someone's own gain, but there ain't nothin' we can do about it. Not when one of them holds the deed to the land they own."
Becky frowned and crossed her arms. "I know, but when should it be a right to cut down the whole forest till there ain't a green field left?"
"That's how it's been always been with the rich and powerful. Whatever deed they carry gives them the right to take and alter as much as they please."
"It's just so hard to accept that they'd be given the right to abuse their leadership from all that I heard out there. It's like them throwing you outta your home and taking it for themselves." Becky shook her head in disbelief at the horrible thought.
Further down the road, there was a sign in front of a field of piled logs:
NO TRESPASSING DURING CONSTRUCTION IN THIS AREA:
BY ORDER OF EDWARD ELIAS NOSEDIVE
"Ugh, I should have known that Nosedive had anything to do with this," Becky had scoffed at the name on the sign.
"Oh, have you met him?" Avery had asked his distressed wife.
"On my way home from the general store," Becky answered reluctantly, feeling she must tell the truth of what she knew about him. "Mr. Pronghorn wanted to warn me never to vote for him if he should run as the next town mayor. Says that he is one ruthless, rich eagle around here that believes his race to be superior above the rest of the bird folk and should be viewed as the real founder to High Wind Gulch because of it. But I never thought he had any part in the timber industry to do this."
"I see. Does he have a family of his own?"
"Only a wife and one child. But they're not good hearted themselves. If we see them on our way to church, we must steer clear of them. Mr. Pronghorn warned me so." Becky stroked Baron's face so he wouldn't feel tense from the situation.
"Better start movin' again or we'll be late," Avery insisted, snapping the reins to move his horse faster, knowing it best to get away from the construction site and not be reminded of who was behind the whole development.
Arriving at the church, Avery carefully eased the wagon to an open spot. It was a Methodist church lengthened by twenty-one feet, and a gable toppled by a bellcote added to the west end. He got down first and helped Becky down from the other side.
"Is that Edward Nosedive over there?" Avery had asked Becky, pointing to a fancy buggy coming up the church drive to make a parking spot on the other side.
"I believe it is Avery," Becky answered, seeing the same eagle step off the buggy with another female eagle that she knew to be his wife and their young son that Mr. Pronghorn mentioned. "Edward Nosedive with his snobby wife Edna, and their three-year-old son Edmund Nosedive." She paused, looking at the sissified eagle boy in the back. "Can't imagine how they're raisin' that boy to be."
Avery could only put his arms around Becky's shoulders. "Please Becky darlin', remember why we're here. We can talk more about this afterward."
Becky had sighed, knowing that Avery was right as they turned around to look away from the Nosedive buggy to walk over to the church house. Even then, Becky couldn't help but look over her shoulder. Edna Nosedive lifted her silk lap robe off her fancy silk and silver buttoned dress. On her head appeared to be a fifty-dollar hat and a new pair of black shoes. Becky quickly turned her head away when Edna looked over in her direction, unable to see how the eagle lady snubbed her.
"She ain't worth our time, Becky," Avery whispered. "I know women like her, all stuck up, self-important, and conceited like they're better than the less fortunate folks that don't have too much money…. all cause they're from a rich town like New Cattleton. Mr. Ganders says so."
Becky added her two cents. "I know it's not my place to judge, but in their case, I can't stand to hear how the upper-class society tries to give the less fortunate, yet hard working folks a bad name by making them look inferior, calling them street vermin."
Avery mumbled. "Wonder if they'd still carry on this belief if they had become poor n' hungry with nowhere to go while the other rich folks party in their mansions."
"With that money, they could use it to help those in need instead of only spending on their own benefit," Becky muttered, holding carefully to Baron in her arms so he'd stay calm.
Avery could not help but agree to that. "I hear too many stories in where that money goes to that sure could go to places that are in trouble and not be wasted on creature comforts. Me, I'm happy where we are now."
"As am I Avery," Becky huffed. "We ain't rich, but we have each other. But I suppose ignorance can come from any man, rich or poor. Mr. Callahan is another rich bird, but he's nowhere near like Mr. Nosedive. He only wishes to help make this town better. If he's running for mayor, he'll have my vote."
Avery had agreed to that as they walked near the entrance where the reverend, being a honey badger named Harvey Badger-field, stood there greeting the churchgoers as they entered, having a family of his own with a wife and three children that always sat in the front audience.
"Welcome to church, nice to see you," Reverend Badger-field had greeted the first civilians that entered before he finally saw the buzzard family, a little surprised to see the new neighbors for the first time. "Are you folks new here?"
"We settled in High Wind Gulch months ago Reverend," Avery answered clearly. "We've had a few bumps for the past few months and barely had time to meet everyone. I'm Avery Buzzard and this is my wife Becky and our son Baron. Now we wish to take part in church like everyone else. May we?"
"Sure, you may come in," Reverend Badger-field stated. "My apologies, but I feel it is my responsibility to let you know that families coming here with infants are required to sit in the back. I hope you understand."
"In the back?" Avery had seemed to frown at this for a moment when he turned to the back to see that the last three rows were empty, and the front half of the seats had been filled up. "Yes, we understand Reverend….?"
"Reverend Badger-field," the preacher had answered. "It's a policy that the town meetings voted a year ago I'm afraid. I don't like telling this, but…..." He froze in his sentence unable to bring up the right words to conclude.
"We understand Reverend Badger-field," said Becky politely, nodding her head. "We'll try to keep our son quiet and calm if he starts to get fussy."
Reverend Badger-field had carefully watched the buzzard family move to the back of the audience reluctantly, not wanting to tell them the fact that the politicians in office had been making rather odd rules and decisions in regard to buzzard civilians. Being a preacher, he would not bring politics into the church where everyone still expects to seek love and forgiveness without being judged for who or what they are, and walked to the front, passing by Edward Nosedive and his family. Even he had to put his personal feelings about the Nosedive family aside and start the service.
Neither Avery nor Becky complained when they had to sit somewhere in the back, understanding that sometimes too much sudden noise from a baby or more might cause disruptions while the preacher was giving the sermon. Just as long as they had not been asked to leave, the couple sat patiently and waited until everyone else had come in to take their seats.
The sermon then started as Reverend Badger-field took the stand at the podium first starting off with opening a welcoming speech. "Before I begin, it's about that time where we open our doors and welcome new members who have moved into town since it is Sunday. So, all that have come here for the first time, we'd like you to stand and show your face." At least three five families stood up from their seats, the buzzard family included, allowing the audience to clap for several seconds until they sat down again. "We welcome you all in the name of the Spirit of the West. You'll find that the folks here are kind enough to welcome you with open hugs."
He then opened a big book to preach a few phrases and gospels, bringing up the story/history about the falling comet from the heavens that gave them all life, believing it to be from a holy, immortal spiritual being known as the Spirit of the West that they should give thanks to in counting their blessings and being here together while praying for guidance, wisdom, strength, courage, hope, and peace, even for those who had gone astray. Then after one or two songs, he read from the book about the war of Moo Mesa and how it started between two races before spreading all over. The point in this was to bring up the fact that everyone, even in the church have sinned in their lives and fallen astray in one way or another which can happen to anyone, no matter what race, species, or their lifestyle. To see that nothing like this ever happens again, they must learn to love and accept one another and not be torn apart by mistrust, prejudice, oppression, anger, jealousy, selfishness, greed, war, or corruption until it consumed their souls and destroyed families, friendships, gatherings, and cities till there'd be nothing left. Only by going to church and asking for mercy and forgiveness can this be accomplished and be cleansed of these sins. Now he was ready to close the sermon with a soft hymn.
Even during Mass, Becky had taken this moment to admire the inside of the church, mostly at the marble floor where the hand carved pillars reflected upon it, with candlesticks in place. But what she loved were the paintings nailed to the walls that made her feel this church was ancient as the comet and the Spirit of the West. No matter where they sat, something about the place here made her and Avery feel welcome with what the reverend had said about trying hard not to let history repeat itself with the mistakes of the past. She and Avery never forgot how they had attended church with their families, being taught to respect all other religions, cultures, and other folks' heritage, not to shun them for their race, but to judge only based on their actions more than their appearance. But also, everyone had the free will to be who they wanted to be, sometimes good, sometimes bad, to choose wisely and be careful with those choices made in life if you still wanted to stay on the right path in life. Baron had stayed asleep during the sermon as Becky and Avery were able to pray without any trouble, having a silent conversation with the Spirit of the West in their spiritual minds.
Unlike the rest of the churchgoers, there were a few visitors inside the church that had shallow prayers being nothing more than greedy and selfish like what had been going on in the mind of Edward Nosedive and his family. Being the only ones that did not clap for the buzzard family being welcome into the church like the other new families, his mind was on wealth, glory, fame, and power as he made a promise to his wife before that he would give her and their son the life, luxury, and position he believed that they so rightfully deserved more than Callahan Condor, having plans for him that will come when the time is right. The teachings of the church, the Spirit, and Code of the West meant hardly any of the most important things where he had his own twisted view of what was out to destroy society, even with whom he saw as the real cause to the Great War of Moo Mesa. The Nosedive family had secretly shown disgust at knowing buzzards had been welcomed here in the church, to which nobody had seen.
After the service, the churchgoers were then given a special pamphlet revealing the special events coming within the next few months such as the Independence Day parade, picnic, the contests, and the dances about to take place. Reverend Badger-field had been at the front entrance again wishing them good luck on their way out with some expressing gratitude to him and his service. He was able to catch a glimpse of the buzzard family leaving and called to their attention just as they were about to step down.
"Wait up, Mr. and Mrs. Buzzard. I know we haven't been properly introduced. I'm Harvey Badger-field and this is my wife Hillary, my two sons Amos and Angus, and our daughter Allison. It ain't all that easy being an underpaid preacher, especially when many towns suffered from the terrible plague of typhus that happened months ago. But we're still proud to have you here as new members of the church, no matter where you're from. And we hope to see you again next Sunday. There will be an after service gathering by then and you're welcome to join in and listen to what's happening."
"Thank you, Reverend," Avery was able to shake the preacher's hand gratefully. "Times have been hard for us too, but we're getting by alright. Our son Baron was hit with typhus, but now he's a survivor."
"Oh, thank goodness. I hope the sickness has not affected him too badly afterward," Reverend Badger-field was both shocked and relieved to hear what this couple's baby had gone through. "Maybe if you're lucky by next Sunday, you and your family can sit up closer if you'd like."
"Oh, but we wouldn't want to trouble anyone at all if our baby started makin' too much of a fuss around others that might end up distracted," Avery seemed uncertain, despite being thankful on the offer.
"Nonsense, I'll be sure to have a talk with the church staff about this and maybe they'll consider letting those with babies not have to sit so far in the back when they should feel welcome anytime they come in on Sundays," Reverend Badger-field was deeply insistent on this.
Avery nodded to this and was able to smile at the reverend's generosity, knowing he and his family found a new set of friends in High Wind Gulch. Now it was Becky's turn to ask Reverend Badger-field a simple question that she hoped wasn't too out of place on church grounds.
"Reverend, if you don't mind me sayin' so, me n' Avery had passed by where a field had been cleared away on our way to church. We understand it ain't our place to pry on other's businesses, but do you happen to know what they might be constructing' on that piece o' land?"
"Oh, yah mean that yah haven't heard?" Reverend Badger-field had implied. "There have been rumors going about at the office that Edward Nosedive is planning to set up a mansion where the construction site is going about."
"They're gonna build a mansion?" Avery couldn't believe it. "Here….in a farming community?"
Reverend Badger-field nodded his head reluctantly in response to Avery's question. "Those are the rumors. I could be wrong myself, but it seems Edward Nosedive has brought on the belief that every town mayor must live in a mansion and a lifestyle of luxury but can't come to accept that you don't need to be all rich and powerful just to be a good leader. It's all about being loving and compassionate to those that look up to you for guidance and helping to keep the town on the right track."
Far away over at the fancy buggy, Edward Nosedive had secretly watched and shook his head in disgust to see the preacher having a conversation with the buzzard family that he couldn't make out, nor did he care as he stepped in with his wife and son that seemed concerned in what he might be thinking.
"Let's just go home Edward," Edna had insisted when she saw how her husband grinded his teeth. "We can worry about the buzzard family later."
"Of course, my darlin' wife. I think it's about time we check up on the construction site."
AN: I'm so terribly, terribly sorry for the long update that I wish I could have updated sooner or later. I let myself get busy and distracted by the holidays of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas lately, and not to mention that I hate it when I have writer's block which means I go to Discord for roleplaying that helps me with ideas to end that problem along with reading books in my collection, so I am not stuck on anything for too long. Since we never really see any church houses around in the show, I thought it wouldn't hurt if I did a chapter where they go to church myself and know they must believe in some kind of spiritual force that is close to God as we have seen in films like Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia where they give Him a different name to go by. I decided to call the force Spirit of the West, which may as well be a crossover of some kind with "Rango". And no, this is not to mock religion or anything, it's just to give some form of religion in the world of Moo Mesa even if we may never see it, other than the mention of the Code of the West preached in every episode. I don't own any of the things I mentioned.