The Fox, Red

004 - A Taste of Success

Once the grounds go dark it's nice and quiet. Being in the middle of nowhere has its advantages. The stars are more visible than what can be seen in the city. It's relaxing, soothing even. My muscles are still sore but I can still enjoy the moment. There's a slight breeze blowing through the area which reminds me of something. It's been two days of back-breaking work and I haven't showered or bathed since I got here. Madam Odette already mentioned I'm not allowed inside the main house so I'll have to improvise. I have an idea but am not fond of it.

The fountain in the garden. It's the only water that I know of. I haven't seen a water spigot around either. It's not the best idea but I can't find anything else. I found a pair of shorts and a towel I didn't know I had and headed to the fountain. The only real light was from the main house. This left the fountain very dark. I check the water with my paw. The cold is kind of refreshing against my sore paws but I don't know how I'll feel dousing myself in it.

I take one last look around, see no one, and quickly strip to nothing. With one splash I'm able to submerge myself in the cold. I emerge with a deep breath from the sudden shock. I'm glad it's still warm at night. I stand and shake some of the loose water off my fur. The fountain has a few features that shoot water out so I'm able to wash my face. I use one to wash quickly before I relax for a moment. As I wipe the water from my eyes I see a flutter from a window. I freeze in place and see the shadow before it disappears behind the curtain. That shakes me enough to say I'm clean and go!

The night is still warm so I'm able to dry my fur quickly and hang my old clothes. I feel a lot better. Almost lighter without all the dirt on me. But I'm still wondering who was in the window and if they saw me. If it was Madam Odette she would have said something, right? I'm not going to worry about it right now. I still have 13 trees that need to be cut and 12 days to do it. For now, it's bedtime.

I jar myself awake before the sun hits me. I grab a new set of clothes from my bag to get fully dressed. They're pretty ratty so I'm not too worried about tearing them. I stretch as Madam Odette approaches me with the ax in her hand, "Good morning Red."

"Madam Odette."

"Your ax is sharpened. You know what to do."

"Yes, Madam Odette."

"Oh Red, switch paws today."

She leaves me with the ax and the odd task of swinging my left paw. I'm dominant right so this is an odd and difficult request. On the way to the trees, I try to hold the ax backward as it's uncomfortable. I know Madam Odette well enough to know she'll be watching and jump at any chance.

At my work site, I take my first swing into the tree missing the gash I had made. I try again, this time getting close. I spend an hour wildly swinging trying to control the ax. I finally gain enough control allowing me to start making progress on the tree. As I guessed when I showed up I missed lunch but with enough drive, I may be able to work through the hurt and secure my dinner.

I get the tree to fall about the same time as yesterday and get started on the third. By the time it gets dark I can see that I am nowhere as close to where I need to be to finish the next one tomorrow and start catching up. Madam Odette walks up at her usual time, "Red, you are done for the day. Your dinner will be on the table."

"Thank you, Madam Odette. I will be there in a bit."

She walks off but stops at the sound of my ax hitting the tree again. "Red, you are done for the day."

"So the rest of the day is mine to do with, correct Madam Odette?"

"Yes."

"Then I am going to get where I need to be."