Barnyard Friends

Chapter 10

When I returned to consciousness, I was lying in bed, and my left leg felt stiff and queer. I tried to sit up, but a spear of pain shot up my leg, and I fell gasping on my pillow. 
"Mary?" Sarah asked as she came up the ladder. "Did you call?"
"W-What happened?" I gasped out, ignoring her question.
"You fainted, and in the fall, your leg was broken. But the doctor said it's a mild break, and you should be up and around, on a crutch, in four to six weeks."
"Four to six weeks?" I cried in frustration. "What will become of Mandy?"
"Mandy is at the foot of the ladder," Sarah told me. "She's crying for you. Shall I bring her up?"
"Oh, yes please!" I exclaimed. At least, I thought as she descended the ladder, I will have Mandy to comfort me. 
A few minutes later, Mandy was in my arms, licking my face.
"Oh Mandy, Mandy, Mandy," I said, the tears sliding down my face. It would be so long before I could run and play with her. How would I ever get through it?
"Mandy can stay with you, if you like," Sarah told me softly.
I smiled through my tears. "I do want her. But it wouldn't be right for me to keep her here, all the time. She must be outside, every few hours, to run, and be with her barnyard friends. But as often as she wants to come, I want her." I added, as I held her close. 

It was a long road to recovery, and if it hadn't been for Mandy, I think I would have died. No matter what, she spent only a few minutes outside, and that only reluctantly, coming to the ladder and whining until someone brought her up to me. She was my sunshine, and I was hopeless without her.

The weeks went by, and I slowly recovered. 
The day finally arrived when I should make my first trial with the crutch. I did not walk far, but it felt good to be up and about again, and I could sense Mandy's joy as she danced around my feet, obviously delighted that I had finally learned to walk again. I smiled at her.

Oh happy day! I will never forget you.