I'm Sorry

Author’s Note: this essay is a letter to Rainie and rest of the Pritchard family from another Billy telling them about how he feels and what really happened to their son and brother Rubin, in the story Where the Red Fern Grows.

Dear Pritchard Family,

I just wanted to say how sorry I am about Rubin’s death. If you want to blame anyone it’s not my fault. Not to be mean but he was a little mean and tried to kill my hounds because my hounds where attacking Old Blue out of self defense. I can't tell you sorry and how sad I feel but I will try my best to help you understand what happened and what I am going through.

To begin with I am very sorry about what happened and I am also very sad about his death. No matter how many times he has been mean to the people in this town I know that he must have been a really amazing person if you got to know him. I always had a feeling that one day he would stand up and tell everyone how sorry he is, about everything he has done to the kids.

Also if you were ever wondering what happened, even though I know you probable already know what happened to him. I don’t know if Rainie told you something else to protect Rubin but here is how I came across this event.  I was walking down the road and then Rainie and Rubin came out and bet to see who would catch the “Ghost Coon” first. I thought my hounds were better and so I took the bet. Then when I found the “ghost coon” my hounds went after it and then they couldn’t get it. Then old blue came out and started to attack one of my hounds, and Rubin came at me with an axe. Then my other dog came out to help against old blue and then Rubin ran over to help old blue with the axe. He was going to kill my hounds, but then right then and there he tripped and he fell on the axe.

At that moment in time I was so scared I didn’t know what to do, so I ran back home. If I could do it over I wouldn’t have, I would have just kept on walking and not taken the bet. Then old blue would have attacked my hounds and then Rubin wouldn’t have gone after my hounds with an axe and then tripped. You don’t know how badly I wish I could take it back. Even running away from the scene I wish I would have stayed and called the cops, or even the ambulance.

Finally I would like to say this is the worst thing that could have happened to parent. I believe that parents should never have to go through this with their child. Like I said I am very sorry about what happened I hope we got our story strait. If there is anything in this world I could take back it would be that. Again I am really sorry about what happened and I know words won’t change anything about what happened to Rubin.

Sincerely,

Billy

Billy