Conditional Reality

Claypot Eyetooth received orders to serve on a firing squad. She reported for duty with her rifle ready and spent the time just before the execution smoking cigarettes with the rest of the firing squad. During the execution, at the actual moment of death, Claypot closed her eyes. Now it is many years later. Claypot’s oldest grandson visits for a weekend. They discuss the consequences of following orders. I didn’t pull the trigger that day, says Claypot. What did it sound like? asks Claypot’s grandson. The rest of the squad meets every year, says Claypot, but they never invite me.