Allister Cromley's Fairweather Belle (Bedtime Stories For Grownups To Tell)
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The Mark Of Lincoln

1/22/2009

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Though there are elements of Allister's life that could be disputed, a most definite truth was that Allister had a birthmark on his right calf that looked like an exact profile ofAbraham Lincoln, stovepipe hat and all. Of course this profile was in the miniature as the actual Abraham Lincoln profile was much taller than Allister's right calf. That discrepancy aside, there was no doubt to anyone who viewed his calf that it was Abraham Lincoln in birthmark form. This, of course, was how Allister's right calf gained the reputation of being the most honest calf in America. 



With all the benefits of having Abraham Lincoln on your calf came blaring negatives. For one, no matter how many requests, how much coaxing, the Abraham birthmark refused to speak a syllable. Not a word. This was a constant disappointment to Allister who received hundreds of requests for speeches and assemblies for his birthmark. Alas, the birthmark was merely a plain and simple birthmark. Perhaps, simple is misleading. It was a most complex birthmark in many respects, most certainly. But, it was still an ordinary old mute birthmark.



The most damaging issue of concern, though, was the way his left calf felt day after day. You see, his left calf bared no birthmark at all, let alone a birthmark resembling a revered president. This left his left calf feeling depressed and under appreciated. Yes, there was envy. There was depression. This reflected in the receding of Allister's left calf muscle all together.



Allister had little choice, what with his left calf's depression and his Abraham Lincoln birthmark refusing to speak, but to remove the birthmark and put his calves on the same plain of notoriety. Cosmetic surgery, during this time, lacked much technology. This is a mass understatement as the tools of surgery consisted of a pair of scissors and a razor. Cosmetic surgery did not even have a name. All cutting of all types was simply called surgery. This is the most realistic reason for the scar that remained after the surgery. The scar shaped in the perfect profile form of Abraham Lincoln. A purplish Abraham Lincoln. But, an Abraham Lincoln just the same.



Even with this malady, his left calf made drastic improvements and overcame its depression within weeks. The sacrifice that Allister was willing to make for the sake of his left calf had moved the left calf. And, as far as the right calf was concerned, once healed, all went back to normal. Though, Allister said, sometimes, late at night, Allister swore he heard the Abraham Lincoln profile finally speak from Allister's calf. All he said was, "Four score and seven years-What have you done?" This was accompanied by a slight whimper. Slightly sad. But, sacrifices, of course, are necessary when dealing with your calves.
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