Chapter 541: Old News
It was sometime around high noon on the fifth day of my recovery process – dad came marching his way through my doorway, took a single glance at my bedridden self, claimed that I’m good to go, and promptly dragged me all the way out to the fields.
There were things to be done, and apparently, me the half-cripple, was the only man capable of getting those things done.
Never mind that he has been doing just fine all on his lonesome the entire time. No, apparently pulling weeds and feeding the chickens among various other small trivial tasks were just simply too much for him this time.
I didn’t mind the exercise..but really, if he wanted to just see me, he could have just seen me... no need to hide behind this pretense of needing an extra hand – because when you’re packing massive arms like the one he’s got – like, seriously?
Guess shitty lying skills are a hereditary thing.
Ash would have been here with me, in spite of my protest too, but then on the way down, Mom snared with her with a trap, batting pleading eyelids for some help with kitchen duty, and utterly helpless to turn down a call for aid – Ash was whisked away into her clutches, immediately being eagerly prompted to put on a white apron that I regretfully didn’t get a chance to see before my eyes.
Y’know, maybe I should start seriously considering investing in some aprons myself... just for precaution, of course. For stains, for sanitary reasons...
.....
Of course...
Sweating buckets and practically dying for refreshments, I headed back to the house for a quick drink... but instead I ran into Sammy partway there, striding towards me with tightly pursed lips and furrowed brows, and upon seeing such an intimidating sight, I reacted instinctively.
“Whatever it is, it wasn’t me.”
She clambered down the porch steps, flung something small at me, and 180’d right back up into the house.
“It is you,” She said, disappearing into the doorway with a huff. “And I’m starting to think you cast a charm spell onto every girl you meet or something.”
With a last-minute grip, and a near-fumble, I suddenly found my phone in my sweaty palms two minutes into an ongoing call – from an unknown number.
The whole ordeal probably lasted no more than five seconds, and already there were a million questions buzzing around my head. Gotta be a new record.
“Umm,” I raised the phone to my ear, starting dumbfoundedly into the dirt. “Hello?”
“Ah, there’s the slacker!” chimed a familiar cheery voice. “Well, well, are you having fun on your paid vacation so far?”
The jolt of realization hit me on the head like a sledgehammer.
“Hayley! Oh, hey, hi,” Quickly I double-checked the call – her name ain’t there. So confused. “Umm... it actually ain’t been much of a vacation...”
“Ah, no, I understand,” She said softly. “Family troubles usually don’t tend to be. Trust me – I can relate.”
Why is she calling? Was it because of last time? the voicemail? the missed calls? I need to ask, I need to –
“But, umm, as far as my sympathies, you have them all. That being said, though, I also have a thriving business to run, so...” She trailed away briefly, awkwardness practically exuding through the static. “I was wondering, if um, if you’re planning on returning to work anytime soon?”
I didn’t answer her on account of the fact I was too busy reeling over her reason for calling.
“Normally Nick would be handling this sort of thing,” She continued on, speaking with a tone that conveyed her clear unpleasantness. “But he’s been having some trouble these past few days – got our own family issues – nothing too big, really. He’s just a big worrywart. But hey – better me than him, right? I’m sure you’d rather hear me than him, right?”
“Right, of course, you every day,” I answered absentmindedly. “Um, I should be on time for my shift next Monday.”
“Oh,” I heard her release a breath. “That’s great!”
“Anyway, you said something about family issues just now? If you don’t mind – what kind of issues?”
Hayley made a noise, a weary disinterested kind. “It’s nothing, really. Just my Dad, he and my brother are close. He left town without saying anything, and it’s throwing Nick off. Like I said, nothing.”
Does she... did she not get the voicemail back then? I’m pretty sure I dialed the right number, didn’t I? I’m sure I did.
Unless...
“Oh yeah, did you get a new number?” I asked, feigning casualness. “Thought you were a telemarketer for a second.
Hayley responded with a soft giggle back. “New phone, actually. Amanda help me pick it.”
New...?
“Funny story actually, that...” She said, following another amused chuckle. “My witch outfit, I wear it to work every day, right? Well, for a while, I’ve been meaning to sell it to buy a brand new outfit – and eventually, I manage to find a buyer. Long story short, I somehow wound up shipping it out with my old phone still inside one of the pockets. It’s probably sailing halfway across the Atlantic by now.”
I... I almost believe she was just pulling my leg here.
“Seriously?”
“Pretty serious,” She responded. “I know, I know... not what you expect from someone like me, but... I hope that doesn’t ruin my appeal to you, – fingers crossed.
I ignored that.
“So you didn’t get the voicemail, then...” I muttered. “The calls...”
“Voicemails? Calls? Oh-ho?” She parroted back, interest piqued. “What calls? You called me? Really? What for? Anything important? Anything I should know?”
Inside me, something was building, an impulse to just barge right into the living room and shove my phone firmly against the side of Harry’s head.
This was another chance, another opportunity to make it all right. I could do it, I could go, I could tell him.
But I didn’t, instead, I stayed.
Instead, I spoke. “No, it’s nothing important.”
“Oh...” there was a slight disappointment in her tone. “Alrighty.”
Harry’s words were ringing in my head, keeping me in place, fighting back against the voice of reason that wanted so badly to do the opposite. Battling, contending, in the end, there were no winners.
“Listen, I’m actually in the middle of something right now, so...”
“Ah, my cue to say goodbye, then?” She replied, taking the obvious hint. “Alright, I’ll see you next Monday, ‘kay? Looking forward to it!”
“Same...” I narrowed my lips. “Good luck with things with your Dad by the way.”
“Oh, that,” Hayley blew a sigh. “Whatever the deal is – I’m positive he’s bound to show up again soon. Nothing to worry about.”
“Yeah,” I said back. “Here’s hoping...”
A few seconds later, the beeping dial tone signaled the end of our conversation. I dropped my phone to the side, let out a breath... suddenly I wasn’t so thirsty anymore.
I turned around again, head buzzing with thoughts – I needed a distraction. I needed to do something.
“Hey, Dad!” I called out to the large figure in the distance. “Anything else you need me to do?”
By evening, I only had one last task to be done. According to Dad, he’s pretty much groomed and broken in the entire new batch of horses, all save for one – a problematic one – refusing to be touched nor ridden on and would neigh and buckle relentlessly until it was left alone again.
He figured if it were me holding the bristles and reins, I’d manage to somehow get the job done.
And for once, I’m actually inclined to agree with him there.
I stepped into the barn, and at once the smell hit me. Beastly, musty... and with it, my homecoming was finally complete, now I truly felt like I was welcomed home.
The interior was alive and bustling with chatter and conversation everywhere you turn to... so long as you speak horse anyway.
I took my time just admiring all the new long-faces, quickly getting acquainted through some head patting and whispered greetings.
Last time I stepped foot within these walls, the stables were empty, the quiet was eerie... everything’s changed now, everything looked better now, except for that stray bit of rope there... in a loop, in a knot, still tied tightly to the beam.
If I focus long enough, I could still almost sense the events of that day like it was still happening, in the air, on the ground, like some residual presence or something.
Needless to say, I much preferred continuing on with my how-do-you-dos.
I made it all the way close to the end before I heard a familiar gruff snort sounding close by, and I almost couldn’t contain my smile as I shuffled a few inches only to see a rather large white head jutting itself out over the stable as much as it could.
“Yo,” I said, taking a final step, and facing a familiar set of illustrious green eyes. “How’ve you been, girl? Miss me?”
Lyn excitedly whipped her mane about and made a loud whinny – guess that’s a yes.
I reached out, gently stroking her long hard snout. “Miss you too.”
With my free hand, I swung open the stable, then stepping in and swinging the door close once more, I got started with work.
Given who her previous owner used to be, I only needed to do the bare essentials – and after a quick brush and some hoof picking – Lyn was good to go.
“Don’t know if you heard the news,” I said, stowing away tools I used in a pouch. “But apparently you belong to us now, Lyn – permanently. How’d you like the sound of that?”
She neighed and buckled, prancing her hoofs about in place – like she was jumping for joy. So docile, so cooperative all the while, so unlike the fanatical demon Dad went and made her out to be.
“Also I heard you’ve been making it hard for my folks around here...” I said, closing the stable gate behind me, and giving her a raised look. “Do me a favor – play nice, won’t you?”
Lyn snorted, ruffling her head as I stroked it a little more – I took that as a yes.
“Attagirl.”
Suddenly, from afar, a low familiar boom echoed.
“Lyn’s her name, is it?” By the entrance, Dad was slowly making his way towards me. “I didn’t know you’re already acquainted.”
He stopped beside me in all his sweaty, grimey, smelly glory, and I wrinkled my nose.
“Long story.”
“I’d like to hear it,” He said, and before I knew it he was swinging open the stable next door, and gently pulling the reins of a large brown horse befitting his own stature. “Ride with me?”
Again, it’s like we just can’t stand and talk. Always gotta have a pretense with him. But whatever, though. I don’t mind it.
.....
“Sure.”
Besides, I’m sure Lyn would like the jog.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺