by Kelly Utt
“Ah,“ Cate said, raising her eyebrows. “I’ll bet you’re exactly right, Jilly. Good girl. There’s probably extra work to do to keep the animals’ bedding dry and fresh.”
“Should we go out to look for them?” Aaron asked. “I’d like to see the animals.“
“Yeah!” Niko said excitedly. “Mommy, I want to see the animals, too.“
Cate was glad to see her kids excited for a change, but she didn’t like the thought of them getting all muddy and dirty in the barn. It would be a big mess to clean up when they got home.
“Please, Mom?“ Aaron said, seeming to know what she was thinking.
As she looked at the faces of her three darling children, all eager with anticipation, she couldn’t say no. She knew that animals were good therapy. And her kids needed that.”
“You know what?” She began. “Let’s go on out. Who cares if we get wet and dirty? Being with the animals for a while might just do us some good.“
“Yay!“ the kids cheered in unison.
“Thank you, Mommy,” Niko said. He was so polite for his age. And so sincere. He melted Cate’s heart time after time with his sweet ways. Something about the fact that Cate knew Niko was her last baby meant she had a soft spot for him. She tried to cherish every moment of his childhood.
“You’re very welcome,“ Cate said. “But we won’t stay out long because we need to eat dinner. I don’t know about you, but I am hungry.“
The kids agreed and the four of them put their coats back on and picked up their umbrellas, then walked out the back door. They could see that the light was on in the distance in the direction of the barn, so Cate suspected that Jilly had been exactly right. The barn was about a quarter of a mile from the house. It didn’t take long to walk there, but they were moving more slowly than usual tonight.
The rain continued to pour massive amounts of water around them and lightning lit up the sky. It looked to Cate like the storm had been even heavier here at her parents’ house than it had in her neighborhood. She and her kids held hands as they stepped over fallen limbs and across big puddles. Even as the storm raged around them, Cate felt safe on her parents’ farm. She knew that as soon as she saw their faces, it would help lift her worries away. She was grateful to have such good parents. They were a gift in her life that she made sure to never take for granted.
When they arrived at the barn, sure enough, Ron and Ellen were there, reassuring the frightened farm animals as Joey sat and looked on. He was an intelligent dog. Content to watch everything happening around him.
“Well, hello!” Ron said. “Fancy meeting you here.“ He laughed at his own greeting. Cate’s dad thought himself a comedian.
Ellen waved one hand playfully to shush her husband. “What a nice surprise,“ she said as she walked over to hug Cate and the kids.
“Hey, Mom and Dad,” Cate said. “It’s been a long day and I thought I’d stop in to see if we might eat dinner with you. I didn’t realize you’d be out here with the animals.“
“But we’re glad you are,” Aaron said, attempting to finish his mother’s sentence while walking over towards Bella the sheep.
Cate and her parents chuckled at Aaron’s enthusiasm. The mood was light, despite the bad weather.
“Say,” Ron began, winking at his daughter then looking at his grandchildren, one by one. “I could use some help freshening up the goats’ bedding. Would anyone like to assist? I know Fred and Ginger would be very appreciative.” Ron had named the pair of goats Fred and Ginger after Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers because he said they had looked like they were always dancing when they were kids. The man got quite a kick out of himself. Cate supposed it was good that he could always keep himself entertained. He usually kept those around him entertained as well.
“Me!“ Niko exclaimed, raising his hand in the air as if he were in a classroom at school.
“Me, too!“ Jilly added.
“You’ve got it,“ Ron said, motioning for the kids to come over and join him.
“I’ll stay here and comfort Bella, if that’s alright,” Aaron said as lightning flashed outside. “She seems scared.“
“That’s perfect,“ Ellen said to her grandson. “Just pet her on the head there and stand close against her side. It will help her feel safe and loved. And while you’re at it, please check on her food and water supply to make sure she has enough for the night.“
Aaron nodded and smiled. Cate noticed that all three of her kids were loosening up. She hadn’t realized they’d been so tense. Meesha had been an important source of comfort for them in the days since their father died, but these farm animals seemed to be making an even bigger impact. Maybe that was because there were so many of them. Or maybe, it was because the kids didn’t get to see them every day and they seemed like more of a novelty.
“There’s something amazing about hanging around with these animals,“ Ellen says, noticing the same thing as her daughter. “That’s why Ron and I have them in the first place. They keep us sane. I don’t know what we’d do without them.“
Cate knew that when her Mom’s job as a school librarian went on break for the summer, it allowed Ellen to spend a lot more time out here enjoying farm life. This time of year, though, she had to settle for evenings and weekends.
Lightning strikes were coming closer and happening more often now. The Wind was so strong that the rain was beginning to blow sideways. This was turning into the worst storm Rosemary Run had seen in a long time.
“It’s getting bad out there,” Ron said.
“I see it,“ Cate said. “But honestly, I’m happier right here and now then I’ve been since, you know… And I think the kids would agree.“
No one commented, but they sat quietly together, reflecting on the moment. It didn’t matter to Cate and her kids that they were in a rainstorm, or that they would leave smelling like farm animals and have to spend time washing themselves and their clothes awhile extra when they returned home. It didn’t matter that they were hungry for dinner or that it was a school night and they needed to get up early in the morning. The only thing that mattered was that they were enjoying life‘s simple pleasures as they gathered together and simply experienced the world in each other‘s company. Cate thought about how lucky she was for the love she had in her life. Even though her husband was gone, those who remained were some of the best people. For that moment, she thought that with her family by her side, she could get through any storm-- literal or figurative-- that life could throw her away.
With a loud boom and a crash, a bolt of lightning struck the power lines outside of the barn, knocking them to the ground, sparking and popping, and turning off the lights. Everyone jumped, frightened by the intensity of the storm and the sudden descent into total darkness. Joey barked loudly at the sounds.
“Mommy! I’m scared,” Niko said.
“Me too!“ Jilly said.
It reminded Cate of the night of Mick’s funeral when they heard the noise on the back deck, only this threatened to be much worse.
“Jilly, honey, put your arm around your little brother until one of the adults gets to you,” Cate said. “I’m coming.”
“Okay,” Jilly replied.
Ron had been close to the kids, but had stepped away to take a look at the damage outside.
“Everybody stay put,” Ron instructed, raising his voice to be heard over the storm.
“Okay!” they all called back.
Tools clanked around as Ron searched for a flashlight or a lantern. The animals squirmed and bucked around in their stalls, trying to discharge the fear from their bodies.
“Aaron, stay there. I’m nearby and I’m coming to you,” Ellen said to her grandson.
He shouted his okay.
By the time Cate reached Jilly and Niko, they were both shaking like leaves. She grabbed them and pulled them close to her, surprised by how quickly things had turned sour.
“It’s okay, my darlings,“ Cate said to her children in the most reassuring voic
e possible. “It’s just a storm. We have shelter and we’re going to be alright.“
She could feel the kids shake their heads yes as they pressed up against her. They were such kind souls. So trusting. Cate wondered if she should’ve stayed home tonight rather than having come to her parents. Even though they had just experienced the happiest time since Mick died, Cate feared it had turned on a dime and could become the worst time. She felt the responsibility to her children and she began to doubt that she was doing her best for them.
“I’m here with at Aaron,” Ellen called out. “We’re okay over here. Bella is, too.“
Cate was relieved that her mom was there to comfort her oldest son. Aaron might have acted like he didn’t need comforting, but Cate knew he still did.
“Fred and Ginger are okay!“ Niko called out in his little voice, trying to help.
“I think I left my flashlight up at the house,” Ron said. “The lantern is probably there, too. I need to go up and grab them. Everybody stay here while I go. I’ll be back as quickly as I can.”
Cate wanted to ask her dad not to go. She was becoming afraid, too, and her mind was swirling with the dangers that might await him out in the storm, especially considering the downed power lines. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing another one of her closest family members anytime soon.
“Why don’t you wait with us until the storm calms down a little?” Cate asked her dad. She was impressed that she had been able to sound so calm and to phrase the question in a reasonable way. Inside, she wanted to yell much more irrational words. Although Cate couldn’t explain it, she was beginning to get a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. The hairs on the back of her neck were standing up again.
“I don’t think the storm is going to slow down for a while,” Ron replied to his daughter. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be alright.”
“Dad,” Cate called out, The fear evident in her voice now. “Wait. Please.“
“It’s alright, Cate Bear, truly,” Ron said. He had called her Cate Bear when she was a kid and still did so every once in a while. Hearing him call her that now both brought Cate comfort and made her more afraid all at once.
It was pitch black. So black, that they couldn’t see things even when they were right in front of their faces. Under normal conditions, there were no other lights for nearly a mile. But tonight was impossibly dark. Even the moon and the stars were blocked out by storm clouds.
Cate could hear her dad opening his umbrella and stepping towards the open barn door, which would lead him on the path to the house. She knew he was determined to go, whether she liked it or not. She knew he should go. They needed a source of light to get everyone out safely. But she didn’t want him to.
Before Ron could take his first step toward the house, a new bolt of lightning came crashing down and split a large tree just outside of the barn in two. The roof moaned and cracked as half of the tree crashed down into it, creating a large, gaping hole in one side of the structure. The animals went wild with fear now, yelling and thrashing around. The backside of the goats’ enclosure had apparently fallen down because they could be heard yelling out in fear as their voices trailed farther and farther into the distance.
Niko began to cry now. He couldn’t verbalize it quickly enough, but he heard the goats running away and it terrified him. He twisted at Cate’s side and she thought for a moment he might try to run after them. Jilly placed her hands over her ears and pressed her head tightly into the crack of Cate’s arm like a little ostrich who was trying to hide from reality.
“Is everyone okay?“ Ron called out.
They all answered yes. Thank God, Cate thought.
“I have to go to the house,” Ron said. “I need light to get everyone out safely and to assess the damage here. “
“And the goats…“ Ellen said, sadly.
“One thing at a time,“ Ron replied to his wife. “I’m going now. Stay here.”
Ron hesitated for a minute as he prepared himself to go out into the nasty weather.
Ellen, Cate, and the kids stood, doing as they were told, staring into the blackness and afraid for their safety. They looked in the direction Ron’s voice was coming from because they knew that was the way they’d see him when he returned. They didn’t discuss it between them, but they each knew they were watching for him to return with the light. It would be his light that was the next thing they saw. It would be his light that let them know they were going to make it through this.
Another huge boom echoed throughout the night and the sky lit up with not one, but two strikes of lightning in close proximity. When it struck and illuminated the property, Cate and her family watched in horror as they saw not one, but two silhouettes standing outside the barn.
11
“Dad!“ Cate yelled, her voice full of fright now. “Someone’s there!”
Ron had been facing his family. He hadn’t seen the figure behind him. Joey had seen it and he began to bark ferociously, tearing out into the night after the uninvited guest.
“What?“ Ron asked, confused.
“Someone else is there! We saw someone standing right behind you,” Cate yelled. “It looked like a man. Watch out!“
Cate was at a total loss as to what to do. Her mind raced as she thought about how this person must be the same one who was standing in the tree line at Mick’s funeral. He must have been following her. She knew someone had been following her. But she had no idea what to do right now. If someone was trying to hurt them, then every decision Cate and her family made in the next few moments would be critical to their very survival.
“My God, Ron,“ Ellen called out. “Be careful!“
Cate frantically pulled her mobile phone out of her pocket. As she suspected, there was no service. Most likely due to the storm.
Lightning flashed again and Ron noticed something that was just out of sight of the rest of them. Cate, Ellen, and the kids could see the look of protectiveness flash across Ron’s face. His brows were lowered and his eyes narrowed. He stood up straighter and looked fit and strong. He looked like he was capable of handling anyone who dared to threaten his family. Her father’s determination made Cate feel better, but she was scared for all of them. She wanted desperately to call Neil and to have him show up with some other officers and find out who was here watching them in the night and the storm. It had to be the same person who had been following her. There was no other logical explanation.
“I see him! He’s running away. I’m going after him,“ Ron called out as he dashed into the storm. He didn’t hesitate. Cate heard her father’s umbrella whizzing around in the air as he went. It was the only object Ron had in his hands and it was clear that he intended to use it as a weapon. Cate wondered why he hadn’t taken time to step back inside and pick up some tools, but she dared not question his decision. She was glad he was here to protect them.
Ellen and Aaron made their way to where Cate was standing with the other two kids. It was slow going, but they felt their way across the barn until they made it. The five of them huddled together, afraid of what was happening outside.
Cate felt helpless. If she stayed in the barn with her kids, she was choosing to leave her dad alone to face the person who had been following her. She thought it wasn’t fair that dad be put in danger when the person following her most likely wasn’t interested in him. He just happened to have been caught in the crosshairs. If Cate left the barn to help her dad, she’d be leaving her kids alone as well as risking them losing the only parent they had left. The choice was obvious. It was no choice at all, really. Cate had to stay with the kids and keep them safe. She hated feeling helpless like this. She hated feeling like she was a victim, knocked down and just waiting to be victimized again and again. She wanted to do something, but her hands were tied. She was backed into a corner. It was a terrible feeling.
“The rifle is up at the house,” Ellen said quietly to Cate. “We keep it in case predators come around and try to harm our animals. We
don’t even keep the clip in the same place as the gun, for safety reasons. But both pieces are up there. I know exactly where they are. I think I should go get them.“
“Grandma, no!“ Jilly said. “No guns.“
Cate knew it was time to be decisive. Her mom was thinking clearly and using good judgment, under the circumstances. Cate knew she had to do so as well.
“Jilly,“ Cate said to her daughter. “This is the time to take action. Your grandpa is out there running after someone who is sneaking around on the farm. No one should be out here at all. We don’t know if that person is trying to hurt us or not. We need to do everything we can to protect ourselves.“
“I agree, Mom,“ Aaron said. “Do it.“
Cate could hardly bear the thought of leaving her kids, but she also didn’t want to send her mother out to retrieve the weapon. Cate was younger and in better physical condition. As a result, she was more likely to be able to get the gun and return unharmed. She decided to go up to the house herself.
“I’ll go,” Cate said.
“Oh, honey,” Ellen said to her daughter. “Let me go.”
Cate’s kids were silent. They could tell by the tone in her voice that she was serious and that her mind was made up. The kids also wanted Cate to go because they wanted her to protect them. They might not have been able to consciously understand all of the feelings and what each one meant, but something in each of the three of them responded to the strength their mom was exhibiting.
“I’ll be better able to get back unharmed,“ Cate said to her mom. “It’s decided. I’m going. Tell me where the rifle and the clip are.“
Ellen told her daughter where to find the weapon, as requested. With the location of the rifle and the clip known, Cate hugged her children briefly and pushed them towards their grandmother. Then she walked calmly over to her father's toolbox and picked up a wrench and a crowbar to carry with her. She turned, and without hesitation, walked out of the barn and into the dark, raging storm, determined to do whatever was necessary to face her fears and her stalker head-on.
