Six Shots Deep

A New Life Brought Into This Hellhole

"Arthur, let me help!" I tried to take a crate from his hands.

He shoved them away. "Ain't no way in hell I'm letting you carry heavy shit when your thirty weeks pregnant!" He glared at me, pointing to my stomach with his free hand. "Now, go sit down with Abigail. Please, Rose."

I waved him off and bursted through the front door, walking to the living room where Abigail and Uncle were sitting. I plopped down on the couch, dropping my head to my hands. Arthur, John, and Charles were working on loading things into the wagon to go to town. Jack was doing work around the farm. He was thirteen now and had an attitude on him.

This pregnancy was getting the better of me. I wanted to do nothing but everything at the same time. My stomach stuck out like a sore toe during a winter storm. I let out a sigh as I laid my head back.

"Everything okay?" Abigail looked up from her sewing.

"Yeah," I leaned my arm against the arm rest, "just tired and irritated."

"Oh, don't be so gloomy!" Uncle said, chuckling, "you're about to have a kid! Cheer up!"

"I'll put a bullet in ya if you don't shut up, old man." I growled.

"Such a temper," he replied, "hell, you're worse than Abigail when she was pregnant with Jack!"

"Away with ya, you parasite!" Abigail shooed him out the door. She then returned to me, sitting down on the couch next to me. "Pay no mind to him, Rose."

Jack then came through the door, throwing his hat down on the kitchen table. "When is Pa and Uncle Arthur coming back?"

"Soon," Abigail looked over to him, "take a break, Jack. Go play with Rufus or entertain Uncle."

"Ma-"

"Do as you're told." She looked back over to me, "Rose, do you need anything?"

"Some peace and quiet." I stood, walking towards the back door. I opened it, stepping outside into the warm fresh air. I took in a deep breath, feeling the hot air warm my lungs. It was the beginning of August, warm and sunny. I waddled to mine and Arthur's house on the edge of the property, stopping outside to front door to where Nightmare was tethered. I ran my fingers through her mane, patting her neck. She leaned her head down, tapping her nose on my growing belly. I smiled. "There's a baby in there, girl." I patted her forehead. "What'd you think it'll be?"

She whinnied, pulling back on her reins. "Woah, easy there, easy," I grabbed the reins, pulling them downwards, "take it easy, girl." I patted her neck, calming her down. I looked around to see what could've spooked her. I searched the trees but saw nothing. I shook my head, turning back to her and feeding her an apple. After she was finished, I opened the door and closed it behind me.

I walked to the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee. I brewed it as I read one of Mary-Beth's books. Once finished, I went to the living room to start a fire in the fireplace. I leaned in comfortably to the armchair, a blanket around my body as I read. The warmth of the fireplace kept me awake for a couple hours as I waited for Arthur and the boys to return from Blackwater. When a knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts, I stood as quickly as I could, looking out the curtains. Jack was standing at the door with Rufus. I sighed and set the book down on the table next to the door. I opened it up and Jack smiled.

"Hi," he said, reaching down to pet Rufus, "is it alright if I come in?"

I nodded. "Sure," I side stepped so he could come in. I sat down in the same armchair I was in, pulling the blanket around my legs. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, just fine. Bored of waiting for Pa, so I figured I would come and visit with you." He smiled.

I chuckled. "I ain't too much company, I'm afraid." I shifted, pulling my feet up underneath me. "But I'll do my best."