Before Me, Him

Chapter 13

     I reach Therese's house and enter it followed by climbing its stairs and laying down on the bed of my room. I didn't feel well but I couldn't really realize why that was. I thought and I wondered about my own feelings but I couldn't reach any solution. I let out a sigh as my eyes end up closing on their own and my mind floats somewhere else.

     It was five in the morning when my body decides to wake up. Yesterday I fell asleep and ended up not even eating dinner with them. I hope they are not mad or worried. I rolled on my bed and tried to go back to sleep but my body was stating that I had had enough rest for the night. The sun wasn't even up yet, I wondered what I could do. Robert told me that he usually fed his animals at dawn so maybe I could make him some company.

     After getting ready I walk down the stairs and do two ham and cheese sandwiches so I could eat on the road. I place a small note on top of the kitchen table stating the following: "I went out but I'll be back for lunch! Love, June". I leave the house and, after a ten-minute walk, I reach the bus station. It was around six am when the first bus left and it was around a quarter past six when I reached the right bus stop. As I walked for another fifteen minutes I could see the green grass with its dewdrops sparkling as if they were some kind of jewelry. The light morning sun was giving out its first rays, announcing the world it's awakening. I don't truly remember when was the last time I saw a sunrise.

     As I approach the farm I could see a human shape feeding the animals, it was Robert.

     - Good morning! – I say while giving him a warm smile.

     - Good morning June! – Robert looks at me surprised. His working denim trousers and white t-shirt were stained with dirt and grass. – What are you doing here, so early in the dawn?

     - Yesterday I fell asleep too early so I slept too much. It was five am and I couldn't sleep anymore so I thought I'd help with the animals if that is alright with you!

     - Of course, of course! Come in! – he slowly opens the gate as he takes me to his animal food storage. – See these little seeds? They are for my chickens, throw them further from you and quickly otherwise they might mess with you.

     As Robert would replenish the water in each corral I went to the chicken house and, straight away, five grown chickens and two tiny chicks approach me, waiting for their morning meal. As Robert taught me I threw the seeds away and the animals, at a quick pace, followed the food as if they hadn't eaten in ages. I was curious so I got down on my knees and looked inside the small chicken house. There was a chick with his tiny feet stuck within the tall grass. Slowly I place my hands inside the house and try to catch him in order to free him but he just stings me. As a reflex, I remove my hands and just stare inside the small box made of wood that created their warm and comfortable home. I guess the little animal was scared and he had good reasons too but I wasn't ready to give up yet.

   I start placing my hands inside it again and manage to catch the baby chick while it stung me with all its might. I manage to remove the piece of grass that was holding its footing and, the moment that I do the stinging stops. Steadily, I get up and the tiny animal just stared at me while clucking, as if he was thanking me. I place him back on the grass and let him go have his wonderful meal. "Did he really understand?" I thought to myself "He couldn't, right?".

     - I see you are done in that area. – Robert says while laughing and petting his big cow – I'm almost done with Gloria so you can move along to the horses!

     I smile and start walking towards the tall fences that kept the beautiful brown horses safe. They were four horses light brown horses but one of them was slightly darker. The beautiful dark horse was further away from the rest somehow he looked rather lonely.

     - Autumn. – Robert stated. – It's his name.

     - It suits him, I think. – and I truly think it did, the beautiful dark brown skin reminded me of the brown, dry leaves from the trees. Leaf's that would crack if you stepped on them. Leaf's that reminded you of how summer had passed along with the beauty of spring.

     – Why is he so far away from the other horses though?

     - He is sick, I need to give him medicine every day until he gets better. That's why he places himself further away, to protect the other horses. – Robert smiles. – They can feel when they are not alright and that is portraited in their actions towards their own family. Even though Autumn, for some reason, refuses to take his medicine so he doesn't get better.

     - Really? – I ask surprised.

     - I don't know why. I've tried everything, every different method available. It's almost as if he is accepting the disease.

     My eyes were locked on Autumn and, for some reason, I could feel his eyes locked into mine even when Robert went to give him his medicine mixed in some hay. After a couple of seconds, he looked away. Was I imagining things? "Why do I feel worried? It's just a horse. Then why is my heart flustered?" I kept asking myself.

     - Do you mind if I try it? – I question Robert.

     - Well of course. Just hold where I am holding otherwise he might bite your hand accidentally. – he says while giving me the hay piece. It wasn't a pleasant feeling, from the little chick's bites my hand had some bleeding spots and the rubbing hay hurt a little bit.

     From the outside of the fence, I stretch my hand and look at Autumn but he wasn't paying attention to me at all.

     - Eat this Autumn. It will make you feel better. I promise.

     Autumn turned around as if my presence was nothing to be worth caring for.

     - Stubborn horse. – Robert scratches his head with a troubled look on his face. – You tried June. It's alright, sooner or later he will eat it, I'm sure of it!

     As we walked back to Robert's house the sun was already up high, it should be around eleven am. I couldn't stop thinking about Autumn. Animals are supposed to just eat what they are given so why isn't he eating it? Maybe he ate it once and didn't like the taste? Was it the smell? Perhaps the look of the hay was different, so he was suspicious? I thought of several different possibilities but none of them answered my question.

     When we reached Robert's house he went to get his medkit to take care of my hand.

     - I warned you to throw the food away otherwise this would happen. – he laughed. – Are you ok? Does it hurt?

     - I'm fine. – I stated while he applied some bandages on my hand and fingers. – Robert, do you mind if I drop by tomorrow again and help you with everything?

     - If you'd like, of course! – a welcoming smile appears on his lips.

     Once the treatment was completed I went back home.