The stable boy // Phan

2

Phil's POV

Today marked exactly a month since papa died. Since then all the horses had been sold along with the stables and mother had found us the new home in town.

Today was also market day and I was standing in front of a makeshift table buying a chicken with the last of our savings. I sighed as I handed over the coins then shoved the chicken under my arm, picked up my wicker basket and started my way back through the crowds.

The sky was grey and it looked as if the clouds would break any moment. I would have to get home quickly if I wasn't to get wet.
Other towns folk started to pack up their stalls, shouting out last minute bargains before they left. I had no more money and although the deals were good, I couldn't spare any change.
My stomach rumbled as I trudged through the crowds and the chicken squirmed under my arm, clucking impatiently.

At one point the chicken launched itself from my arms and tried to make a getaway, but I caught it and took a detour through the ally it tried to escape by. 

Just as I reached home, the heavens opened and everyone on the streets ran for cover. I rushed inside. Plonking the chicken in the kitchen, I greeted ma with a hug.

"Hi ma, I bought a chicken. It was all we could afford, hopefully she'll lay us some eggs and we can sell those for food.  What's this?" I gestured at the pot.
She stirred the brown liquid. "Thank you Philip. It is a broth for supper."

Just then a loud ruckus was heard from the yard, and two little boys ran in soaking wet with their just as drenched older sister sprinting after them.
"Charlie, Henry and Elizabeth! What have I told you about playing in the rain! You'll catch your death!" Ma fussed.
I laughed, and placed my hand on Elizabeth's head. "Liz you should listen to ma, you're the second oldest, you're second in command when I'm not here."
She smiled up at me. "So I can boss Charlie and Henry around too?"
"Don't do anything of the sort, unless those two monkeys run in front of a cart and horse again!"
She giggled and went over to ma who was pouring hot water into the tub for bath time.
I started dishing up the broth into bowls and setting them to cool on the  table. When we were all seated around the table, we joined hands and said grace. Then shoveled the broth into our hungry mouths. Slurping up every last drop.

~

That night when everyone was settled in bed, ma and I were sat by the fire.

"We're out of money now, Phil." I watched her shift uncomfortably in her wicker chair, hunched over her half finished knitting.

"Yes ma, and I've told you I can find a job."

She looked up, accidentally knocking a ball of yarn on the floor at my reply.
"But that's not your responsibility. I have to do that-"

"Ma, there is nothing else we can do. You are tired, too tired to work, and I am young. I can find a job." I picked at a loose thread on my shirt.

"But with all the new people in the city there are fewer jobs." She discarded her knitting and looked at me earnestly.

"Trust me, I'll find one... ...I have to."

We sat for a bit staring into the fire.

"This wouldn't have happened if we hadn't taken in Beauty." Ma whispered.

"Ma! Don't say that, we could never have convinced Pa to not save her. He was so determined, and it wasn't her fault. It was the new stable boy, I disliked him from the start."

Her chair creaked as Ma leaned forward and played with the smoldering wood using a charred stick from outside. "Yes but if we hadn't-"

"Please ma. It wasn't Beauty's fault. She was frightened and the stable man scared her. She didn't mean it, she didn't understand, she was an animal."
Tears pricked my eyes. "Neither of them deserved it."

Memories played through my head.
The stable boy came round the corner, pitch fork in the barrow. He stopped. The fork clattered out the wheel barrow. Beauty squealing from fear; rearing. Father caught under her hooves. The crunch of broken bone. Still.

I shook my head and sniffed, bringing me back to reality.

We sat for a bit longer in dismal silence.

Then Ma got up. "I'd better be getting to bed."

"Ma, I'm going to get a job." My eyes were fixed on the glowing embers in the fireplace.

She nods slowly, her eyes on the ground as she shuffled away. "Yes, Philip."

~

That night I hardly slept.  Tossing and turning relentlessly as visions of Beauty, men, blood and bones, crept through my mind.