The Road Home

Part 10

"Sunny days seem to hurt the most, wear the pain like a heavy coat.  I feel you everywhere I go.  I see your smile, I see your face.  I hear you laughing in the rain.  I still can't believe your gone."       -Kenny Chesney, Who You'd Be Today

"And my thoughts were runnin' wild, Any fool can make a baby, but it takes a man, to raise a child." -Chris Young, It Takes a Man

XxXxXxXxXxX 1 week later XxXxXxXxXxXxX

Brushing the hair back from my eyes as I straighten up, I glance at the time on my phone.  It's 10:45am.  I sigh, tossing the pitch fork into the wheel barrow, and walk out of the stall I'd been cleaning.  Pulling the wheel barrow behind me I stop putting it next to the wall in the isle way.  I walk through the barn, glancing in all the stalls to make sure they got emptied and have fresh bedding.  Walking out of the barn I reach up pulling my hair out of the lazy braid I'd quickly done when I woke up.  I notice that Maya's pasture is empty and Owen no where in site.   Sighing I look for Logan.  Spotting him, coming out of the house, I walk over.  "Hey, do ya know where Owen went? I was gonna ask 'im something."

"He said somethin' about going on a ride to double check the fence that you guys found last week.  Everything okay?" He tells me as we turn back to the pastures.  

"Yeah, it's fine.  Nothin' to worry about."  I say turning briefly, towards him smiling.  I look back and watch as Sparrow runs around kicking up dust.  I watch as he comes running to the fence and slides to a stop in front of Logan.  And snorts.  I burst out laughing, as he reaches over the fence and nudges Logan with his nose before turning and walking away.  

"Don' laugh at me.  Little brat just snotted all ove' me and now my shirts dirty."  Logan says trying to wipe away horse mouth smudges.  

"Logan, you work at a ranch.  You're gonna get dirty.  Besides hes just sayin' he loves you."  I say smiling as I see him fake scowling.  "On another topic,"  I ask turning serious, "  Do ya think ya can manage on your own for a bit?  I'm gonna go for a drive.  But I can wait until Owen gets back if you want...?"  I ask checking the time 11:04am.  

"Go 'head I've managed before.  Besides he should be back soon.  You can go," Logan says.  

"Are you sure?"

"Go.  If I need you I'll call or somethin' promise."  I take a deep breath nodding.  I turn and walk over to the house, opening the door just enough to grab my keys off the hook by the door.  I pull the door closed as I walk back down the stairs heading to my truck.  I step up into the drivers seat, pulling the door behind me.  I start up the engine backing up and turning down the driveway heading to the road.  I reach over turning up the radio.  A familiar song comes on and I softly start singing along.  Watching the road ahead of me I pull out onto the main road of the area and keep driving.  

I feel terrible, sunlight's hurting my eyes

So I pull the shades and I make my place as black as night
I feel miserable and I'm missing you and me
Another Sunday morning all alone underneath these sheets

No, I'm not hungover it's true, but I'm still not over you
All messed up, all strung out, I was sitting at home breaking down
I'm not out there getting high underneath some neon lights
Ain't no whiskey strong enough to make things right
I'm just getting over another sober Saturday night

Besides the pain, I don't feel a thing
When my buddies call me up, I just let it ring

I pull up to one of the few stop lights in town and wait for the light to turn back to green.  As the light changes the song comes to an end.