Chapter 184

• I sat ever so quietly beside the running creek, watching the fish swim through the water effortlessly. I feel at peace beside the quiet little creek, I have my feet in the cool spring water, and I watch as tadpoles swim around my ankles, I raise my skirt just to my knees to it doesn’t get wet. Peering through the trees, I feel the sun on my face and realize that I have been sitting this way for over an hour. I decide that I have to go back home, Daddy will be looking for me. I stand and turn stepping on the stones with my bare feet, I walk up the steep bank leading to the road. Walking down the old dirt road, damp feet, I have grass and dirt sticking to my toes. Finally, I get into the field to clean my feet off, I walk slowly up the long drive to the house.
• Walking up the three steps to the back door I wiggle the knob and find that it’s open. I push the door open with my hand and pull the screen door closed behind me. I walk into the kitchen and pull a glass from the sink and run the cold water. Headed into the hallway to my room I decide to slip on my shoes and go to the barn to see what my horse is up to. I pull on a pair of jeans and a t-insert, dropping my skirt on the bed. I slip on my boots and throw my hair into a ponytail. I walked back out the door and close it behind me.
• Heading to the barn, I listen to the birds chirping and singing their own little songs, I begin to whistle my own little song, I pass the workroom that Daddy built on the front of the barn, I hear hammering in there, and know that Daddy is working hard on something. I walk past the door to the workroom and looking in I see Daddy in a pair of tight Levi jeans, and no shirt, the sweat glistening on his brown skin. His dark hair wet and curly from the sweat pouring from his brow. He doesn’t notice me, and I don’t stop. I walk into the barn over to the stall where Millie stands. I rub the white star on her nose she nudges my hand for more love from me.