Blood in the Water

The Pumpkin Harvest

  I looked amidst rolling hills and vibrant autumn leaves, the pumpkin patch is a picturesque haven filled with rows of round, orange pumpkins waiting to be picked. The scent of rich soil mashes with the crisp, cool air, inviting us to wander through the never-ending fields. Children laugh as they weave between the vines, searching for the perfect pumpkin to carve, while families gather for hayrides and festive photo ops. Sunlight shines through the leaves, casting a warm glow over the patch, making it a delightful escape that captures the spirit of fall. I held a steaming cup of cider in my left hand, Connor's hand grasped my right. Lydia and Jackson trailed behind us.

"Look at the animals Conny," l squealed.
"Oh. You wanna go pet them?" He asked.
"Of course. Come on!" I bounced off excited.

I gawked over the little goats and bunnies. There were kittens and chicks as well. I entered a quarter into the machine to receive food for them. Each chick wobbled to my hand, which rested on the floor. Their tiny beaks pecked at the seeds, occasionally pricking my finger.

"I want a bunch of animals when we are older," I said.
"I'll get you whatever you want sweetheart," he replied.
"I want a dog, cat, chickens, chipmunks, squirrels, deer, and more!"
"I don't know if we can domesticate any wild animals but I'll try my best love," he spoke softly.

My heart melted. My skin was on fire as I gazed at him. He loves me and I love him even more.

We walked around the pumpkin patch some more. The deeper and deeper we got, the more relaxed I felt. Connor picked a pumpkin for me and carried it out. My prosthetic was killing me. It rubs on my stub and creates large welts that could burst at any moment.

"Connor I need to go home. My leg is killing me," I said, defeated.
"Yeah. Yeah. Phantom pain? Or the welts?"
"Welts, they're about to pop I swear," I winced.
"Yea let's go," he repeated.

On the way out, I was methodical with my steps. Trying to find the best way to relieve the pain, if you were wondering, nothing worked. He paid for our pumpkins and we headed down the lengthy path. I groaned in pain.

"I need to sit and get this off of me," I demanded.
"Here. I've got you. Take it off and I'll carry you the rest of the way," he offered.
"Oh thank you!"

I shimmied the black mechanical leg off. I let out a sigh of relief when I felt the crisp air on my skin. I saw Lydia and Jackson winding down the path.

"Oh perfect. They can take our pumpkins, and I'll get you," he said.
"Lydia! Jackson!" I flagged them down.
"Take our pumpkins. Alyssa's leg is killing her," Connor pleaded.
"Got it!" Lydia helped.

He bent down to my level, which was low cause I was lying on the floor. He groaned like I was heavy. I promise I am humble but compared to him, I'm tiny. His bicep was the size of my head and I don't even make it close to his shoulder. He works out so much that I'm not even his max weight on reps at the gym. People always want a height difference, I thought ours was a little excessive. The difference between 5'0 and 6'3 is quite noticeable. I look like his child when I'm with him, but he's still my boy.

"Thank you," I whispered.
"Anytime love," he said.

      We finally made it to the car. Lydia set the pumpkins in the back seat. They hopped into theirs.

"What shall we listen to?" He asked.
"Hmmm. Lana Del Ray. It's so fall!" I got excited.
"Anything for you," he laughed.

      He turned on a white Mustang and we followed Jackson's car on the way home. It was a good thirty-minute drive from our house and most of it was dirt road. We were in the country on a little hill with green grass on either side of us. There's not much to see. That was until a white pickup truck flew out of its lane, probably texting, and knocked Jackson's car off of the edge of the highway. I heard the screech of tires and metal crunching. I screamed so loud.