There's Something in the Water

A rooster’s crow cut the silence of the morning sky in two as the weary collie awoke from its night-time slumber. Clouds drifted cautiously between the mountain tops as if icing a cake, complimented by the thin layers of mist that blanketed the heavily ploughed fields in expectation of the coming day.

“Time to wake up, John,” she nudged, drawing back the covers as her eyes adjusted to daybreak’s light.

Giving out a slow groan, he opened his eyes, shaking his weathered head at the thought of the labor the day so desired. “I need to go and check on the horses,” he grimaced to her as he slipped on his dressing gown with all the finesse of a drunken penguin.

“Do you want any breakfast?” she inquired, knowing full well he always had his morning fry up at 6 am every morning. The same routine had almost made them feel like they were robots from time to time.

He looked like an unusual sight as he crossed the gravel and straw-littered yard toward the stable. A dog’s bark alerted the world to his presence, making him turn and shush the four-legged canine. “Hush, Rex,” he stated to the puppy, sitting on its hind legs in expectation of food. Pulling a long but half-empty packet from his pocket, he removed a stick of what was once meat from its plastic covering and threw it toward the eager-looking animal.

The door creaked with age as he unhitched the latch, stepping inside the smell of damp horses hit his nose like a rocket. Walking along the gaps between the paddocks, he checked the amount of oats in each trough as a smile wavered over his face, acknowledging that no more was going to be needed for at least another day.

The soles of his thick black work boots crunched the dry hay that lay purposefully strewn across the barn. Making his way to the back of the barn to his prize-winning mare, a Christmas gift to his beloved wife, he smiled in the gentle horse’s direction. Her bloated and extended belly was a sure signal that she would soon have a beautiful colt. Noticing her breathing was heavy, he softly petted her on the head.

“It won’t be long now, Midnight.” he reassuringly stated to the miniature pony.

A scream from the house shook the man from his thoughts as he ran to the open door, fearing the worst as he bounded up the wooden staircase. Opening the heavy bedroom door with abandon, his fear turned to relief as he saw his wife’s cheerful face.

“What in the -”

“I’m pregnant,” she blurted out before leaping into his arms.

With tears of joy in his eyes, he looked out of the bedroom window and smiled as he noticed the tiny new-born struggling to stand on its legs. With an unsteady and shaky step it slowly gained its balance only to tumble down amongst the green grass and wildflowers with a loud cry.

His mind became a colorful kaleidoscope of thoughts as he tried to imagine his first child's appearance. Would he have blue eyes like his wife? Would we have his father's slim appearance? Kissing her on the forehead with a rarely felt pride, he allowed the happiness to overtake his entire being.

His mind raced to the day his own father walked out of the door, never to be seen or heard from again. It seemed as if he was always internally waiting for that man, the person who hadn't looked at him since he was sat in the living room playing with colorful blocks, to show back up again.

"Leaving is in the bloodline, Son," his Mama had cautiously said.

Abruptly, his eyes darted wistfully to the open door.

Written by Raven Black and Isabella Rose on December 7, 2023