The Bovine Connection

by Kimberly Thomas

  “My father was a good man.” Michael said with a reflective expression, but Angelica noticed a deep sadness in his eyes. She felt that pull and turn in her chest as she sat there for a minute and observed his face.

  Matthew looked gently at Michael, “Tell Angelica what your father shared with you.”

  Michael looked down, “One evening we were in the kitchen sitting down for dinner and he said, ‘Michael, I need to share something with you about the night of that cattle incident.’ I said ‘okay, what is it, Dad?’ He looked serious. He was usually smiling or laughing and cutting up, so I knew by the tone of his voice that this was important.”

  “He was an honest man,” Michael continued, “hell, I don’t think my dad ever told a lie in his life.” Michael looked up as Matthew turned away, trying to hide sympathy.

  Angelica looked at Michael and smiled sincerely, then lowered her eyes with an expression of concern, “What did he tell you about the incident?” she asked softly.

  “He said he saw some strange things and he had never told a soul. He said no one would have believed him anyhow. They would have had him locked up in one of those loony hospitals. I told him I’d believe him no matter how crazy it sounded. He went on to say that he was shutting up the barn for the evening a little after six and noticed a light in the sky off in the distance. He said the light got larger as it moved closer to the ranch. He didn’t think too much about it and just figured it was a helicopter or aircraft from the Newton Base. However, it was making a strange buzzing sound, unlike a typical plane, so he stood there for a minute and watched it. All of a sudden, he said he saw a flash of light and then felt dizzy.”

  Angelica’s jaw dropped, “That’s interesting.”

  “Then he woke up on the ground by the barn. He said he was confused and disoriented. He got up, dusted himself off and went into the house, and when he got inside the time on the old grandfather clock was eight-thirty.”

  “Dad was a punctual guy,” Michael continued, “and went by a schedule. He always closed the barn up and was in the house around six-thirty every evening. He would clean up and prepare his dinner by seven or seven-thirty. He said he couldn’t figure out where the time had gone. He was baffled, couldn’t figure it out… waking up on the ground after seeing the flash of light. He said ‘It really bothered me, son, I couldn’t shake the feeling something had happened to me during the time I was unconscious. He didn’t believe he’d had a stroke. I asked him if he was sure. He said other than being confused and a bit disoriented, he ‘felt fine.’”

  Angelica looked up from the pad and raised her pen in the air as she spoke. “So, he passed out by the barn after seeing a strange light in the sky?”

  Michael met her eyes. “Yes! He also noticed a puncture wound about the size of a pea on his lower abdomen and there was dried blood around one of his nostrils. He said the hair around the wound was gone. He was shocked, as you can imagine. He said he knew for certain it wasn’t there before he went unconscious, and he would have felt it if it had happened while working on the ranch that day.”

  “What did he think caused it?” Angelica asked while examining Michael’s face.

  “He didn’t know.”

  “Couldn’t he have landed on something when he fell… maybe on some sort of farming equipment?” she asked.

  Michael thought for a minute, “Maybe, however he said the wound had completely…” Michael hesitated and glanced nervously toward Matthew. “He said the wound was gone the next morning.”

  “Really?” Angelica blurted out unable to hide her shock.

  Matthew looked over at the coffee pot and noticed it was full. Careful not to interrupt the conversation, he quietly got up and opened the cabinet doors and searched for the cups. “Sorry to interrupt, but everyone wants coffee, right?”

  Both Angelica and Michael said, “Yes, thank you,” but never looked his way.

  “No cream please, just black,” Angelica announced.

  Angelica noticed behind Michael, through the large pane-less window in the living room, brown pine swirled in the wind. “It’s very peaceful here.”

  “Yes, it’s comfortable,” Michael replied softly.

  Angelica glanced around as she thought for a moment… “Yes, it is.” Angelica moved in her seat to fully face Michael. “What happened next?”

  “Well, he said after he showered and dressed the wound, he ate his dinner and went to bed. After a few days, he had forgotten about it. Then about a week later, he was sitting in the chair on the front porch reading and he heard the strange noise again. When he looked up, he saw the light in sky.

  This time it was already pretty close, right out over the pasture. He sat there and watched it. He said it was spotlighting his cattle.” Michael scratched his head and looked nervous. “He said it stayed in one spot for a second or two and then he said he saw one of his cattle get sucked up into the beam of light. Sucked right up into the beam of light… can you believe that?” Michael planted his palm on the table firmly and laughed nervously.

  “Wait a minute!” Angelica almost stood up in disbelief, “Did he say ‘sucked up?’ He said he saw one of his cattle sucked into the beam of light?”

  “Yes, he did,” Michael said defensively as he sat up straight -- ready for her to challenge him. Angelica observed Michael’s body language and looked down at her pad, before looking back up inquisitively.

  Michael was uncomfortable. He shifted in his seat and anxiously rubbed his palms together, clenching them tightly. “I know how this sounds, but my father would never lie. He just wasn’t that type of man.” Michael shook his head. “I don’t know what to think.” He released a deep breath.

  Angelica bit down on her bottom lip. “Was he taking any medication during this time? You said he was sick.”

  Michael quickly responded. “He was sick when we talked about it in 2006, but back in 2000, he was healthy as an ox. When he first told me in 2006, he hadn’t begun the treatment for his cancer and was still pretty together. It wasn’t until they started giving him the chemo toward the end that things started to change for him. He got really sick.” Michael glanced into the kitchen at Matthew before turning back and making eye contact with Angelica.

  “I’m sorry for your loss… You lost your mother as well, right?” Angelica hesitated. “I didn’t mean to be rude… Elizabeth Keller mentioned it… Must have been tough to lose both parents.”

  “Yes, it was. Thank you.” Michael smiled sincerely.

  Angelica quickly changed the subject, “So Matthew, did you know about this? About the floating cow?”

  Matthew nodded his head. “Yes.”

  Michael spoke before Matthew could finish his sentence. “Yes, I told Matthew one night over a few beers, in confidence. We were talking about Jack Keller and I needed to get it out. I hadn’t told anyone about what my father had said up until that point.

  Look, I’m still not sure how I feel about telling you this information.” Michael was antsy, “I don’t want my father’s name, or mine, for that matter, in your magazine. And frankly, I think the only reason I’m sitting here telling you now is because of Matthew.”

  Angelica leaned back in her chair. “I see.”

  “I hope you will treat my family and the others in this town with respect, and I trust you will do a good job reporting the story, in a discreet manner.”

  Angelica sensed Michael’s father had told him more. “Yes, you have my word. What else did you father tell you?” Angelica leaned forward intently.

  “He said there are things going on just too shocking to comprehend.”

  “What things going on, Michael? Are you saying you and your father believe it was something beyond this world?”

  “Yes, I think I do, and after talking to Jack today, don’t you, as well?”

  Angelica appeared puzzled. She shot a curious look at Matthew. “Well, it was an interesting conversation, but…”

  Michael looked at Matthew before interrupting Angelica
. “Jack didn’t tell her?”

  “No, Elizabeth walked up.” Matthew answered.

  Angelica looked anxious. “Tell me what?”

  Matthew took a deep breath. “The same thing happened on his ranch the night of the second incident. Jack was about to tell you before he saw Elizabeth walking up. You see now why he didn’t want her to hear the conversation. She’s a very religious woman and it could shake her faith.” Matthew shook his head. Michael appeared concerned.

  Angelica’s mouth fell open slightly, “Oh! So what you are trying to tell me is that he saw one of his cattle sucked up into a beam of light, as well?” Angelica shook her head briskly and rolled her eyes.

  “Yes,” Matthew answered. “He didn’t tell the police. He’s only told me, as far as I know.”

  Angelica’s face went flat. “Okay, go on…”

  Michael looked at Matthew approvingly, “Go on— tell her the rest.”

  Matthew walked over and sat back down at the table. “Angelica, he said his cow was lifted into that white beam of light, almost as if it were sucked up by a vacuum… He ran down toward the pasture and stood there looking up. He said he heard a loud humming noise and he yelled, ‘What do you want?’ That’s when the light went out and then came back on. He said he kept yelling, ‘Leave my cattle alone! What the hell do you want? Who are you?’ He said he could hear it but he couldn’t see it - the light was too bright. Then the light went out and it was gone, it just vanished. When I interviewed him, I shared some of Michael’s father’s experiences, and since he trusts me… Well, he said it scared the hell of out him so he went in the house, found an old bottle of whiskey, and got wasted, and he hadn’t had a drop of alcohol in ten years before that night. He said Elizabeth had to help him up the stairs and get him into bed. The next morning, he lay in bed worrying if he was going to find one of his cattle dead, and what he would say to Elizabeth,” Matthew paused.

  Angelica looked lost as she surveyed Matthew’s face. “Go on,” she mumbled.

  “When he finally got up the courage to go check… well, he found it, and that morning he knew for sure he was dealing with something very scary and unexplained.”

  “Okay”, Angelica interjected… “But could it possibly be something that is obvious? There is an Air Force base around here, right?”

  “Yes, however I don’t believe it’s military. Now, that’s not to say that they aren’t involved in some way. It’s hard to believe that this could be happening right under their noses without their knowledge,” Matthew said, confidently.

  Matthew took a breath and got up from the table, “More coffee anyone?” Angelica looked at Michael, but didn’t speak, still trying to take it all in.

  Michael sat silently observing Angelica. “How long are you in Elberton?” Michael asked.

  Angelica glanced back at Michael. His eyes were intense with desire. She did a double-take, completely caught off guard. She felt an odd sensation in her stomach. It took a moment to find her voice, and finally answered, “I don’t know? As long as I need to be, I suppose.”

  Matthew now standing beside the table put his coffee cup down firmly to break Michael and Angelica’s penetrating eye contact. “I should probably get Angelica back to the lodge. It’s been a long day, and I’m sure she’s starting to get tired.”

  “Yes, thank you. It has been a long and unusual day.” Angelica placed her pad and pen in her satchel. “Thank you for agreeing to the interview, and for the coffee.” Angelica took one last sip of her coffee and put the cup down on the table. She looked down and thought for a moment, and then back at Michael. “Do you mind speaking with me again before I leave town?” she asked. “I’d like to hear more in regards to your father’s experiences?”

  Michael nodded, “Sure… But I believe I’ve told you just about everything I know. Let’s see, tomorrow I’m tied up all day but the following day would work. I’ll be finished up around two o’clock in the afternoon, so could you be here around two-thirty?”

  “Two-thirty is perfect.” Angelica turned and started slowly toward the front door, admiring the art in the living room as she walked away.

  At the door, Angelica stopped and looked back at Michael. “Bye,” she said girlishly as she raised her hand, and then turned and stepped out.

  Michael looked at Matthew and smiled. Matthew tilted his head, and laughed before whispering, “Oh man, I see where this is going. You’d have to be blind not to notice what was going on between the two of you.” Michael patted Matthew on the back as they walked to the door.

  Already outside and almost to the car, Angelica’s subconscious scolded her. “You’re working a story, stop flirting,” she thought aloud. Suddenly she noticed Matthew on his way back to the car.

  Matthew opened the door and sat down while smiling at Angelica suspiciously. “You got him in your head, I can see it in your eyes,” his voice hypnotic.

  Angelica didn’t respond as she thought about Matthew’s words. She turned quickly and nervously to look out of the passenger window, catching a glimpse of Michael as he walked back into the house.

  As she and Matthew drove down the driveway, Angelica said, while unable to make eye contact with Matthew… “Michael is interesting, isn’t he?” She bit down on her index fingernail. “Not your typical cowboy… well, you know what I mean… He’s cultured.” She peered reflectively out of the windshield in front of her.

  Matthew glanced over and smiled as he whispered, “Interesting, huh?”

  They turned off the dirt drive back onto the main road, as she mumbled to herself… “Very interesting.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  She breathed appreciatively. “Thank you for today,” she said softly. Matthew turned and smiled at Angelica.

  The evening sky was partly cloudy. It had become cobalt blue. Rays of red and pink casted down between the clouds onto the lodge, creating a warm glow. “Just lovely here, don’t you think?” she announced as they pulled back up to the lodge.

  “Yes, beautiful place,” Matthew answered. “So, I’ll work on lining up the interview for tomorrow with Ellen McKinney. What time works for you?”

  “Anytime is fine with me. I’m feeling jetlagged, so I’ll probably wait to work on my laptop until in the morning. So ten?” Angelica grabbed her satchel and got out of the car.

  “I’ll be here in the morning, say, around eleven o’clock to pick you up. That way you’re not rushed. We can grab coffee or lunch with the Sheriff at the diner in town. I’ll work it out and let you know in the morning.”

  “That sounds great, thanks Matthew.” Angelica started to shut the car door and then stopped. She leaned down. “Really, thank you for all your help, I’m sure you’re busy. I do appreciate it.”

  Matthew grinned, “No problem, I’m enjoying it, actually… gets a little boring around here at times.”

  Angelica narrowed her eyes and smiled, “Sounds like things have been anything but boring around here.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Angelica’s eyes shot open. She felt panicked as she surveyed the room. She turned and looked at the clock to notice it was three thirty-three in the morning. She slowly lowered her chin and saw the goose down comforter on the floor beside the bed.

  Angelica was burning up and drenched in sweat so she quickly peeled the sheets away from her wet body, while at the same time, she noticed a humming sound faintly descending, and then gone. Her nightmare had left her disoriented and immediately depressed. There was an odd heaviness in her uterus. It was that same familiar feeling after a vaginal examination from her doctor.

  Angelica rubbed her belly while she got out of the bed, feeling increasingly worried, and found her suitcase. She pulled out an oversize Red Sox t-shirt she had confiscated from an old boyfriend. More comfortable in her own sleepwear, she went into the bathroom.

  Angelica noticed the heaviness in her uterus again while she sat on the toilet. She couldn’t ignore the strange and subtle feeling of pressure in her pelvic are
a. She ran her hand through her hair trying to re-orient her mind. Angelica turned out the light, walked over to the French door leading to the balcony and just stood there in a daze staring at the half moon shining down and reflecting off the Elk Creek stream.

  A peaceful feeling began to slowly emerge from her core as she realized she was exhausted. She pulled the heavy curtains shut, and walked over to the bedside table to make sure the alarm was set. She lifted the goose down comforter back onto the bed, and pulled the covers up to her neck, curled around the bedding and fell back sleep.

  Angelica awoke to the alarm still buzzing at eight thirty-three. She had set it for eight thirty so she had some time before meeting Matthew out front. Forgetting her macabre dream, she jumped out of the bed and picked up the phone, ordering her usual coffee and bowl of fruit. Angelica walked over and opened the curtains to let in the sunlight.

  She slowly turned around and looked for the hotel robe, and noticed it was hanging on the closet door. She stepped quickly across the floor and slipped it on over her Red Sox t-shirt.

  She opened the French doors to the balcony where there were two rustic lounge chairs, crafted from cedar. She tilted her head back and took a deep breath. She then closed her eyes, and listened to the rumbling of the river rapids. Angelica’s thoughts drifted to the day before on Michael’s ranch.

  His eyes penetrating, his unruly silky black hair, his smile - he was perfection, she thought. He looked like a man from a vintage romance novel when she first noticed him standing by his horse. Angelica let out a sigh and bit down on her lower lip.

  Angelica quickly caught herself and decided to let the fantasy go, and with a pouty puff of air she sank deeper into the chair.

  After a day filled with dead cattle and handsome men… she was anxious to see where the story was headed next. Angelica couldn’t help but laugh as she recalled some of the details from the interviews the day before. It all sounded so crazy. “Were these people all nut jobs?” she wondered.