Before Milliways
The day was getting colder as they finally reached home and the sun disappeared behind the horizon.
Most of the herd was in good condition so hopefully they’d make some kind of profit, but William winced every time he heard Mark cough. It wasn’t the bad hacking kind he’d had before, but it was still too much, “Almost there, just over the next rise.”
Mark said, “I know, I’ll be fine.”
William managed a smile for him, it seemed like they’d spent most of the past year reassuring each other and their Ma that everything was fine when it really wasn’t. The money that Wade got for them had helped, they didn’t owe anyone anymore, but Ma still cried at night and the work was harder when it was just the two of them.
Moving the herd took longer, they’d gotten better at doing it, but it still took too long. On the bad nights, when Ma cried and Mark coughed, William would wake up from dreams of bullets and try not to cry or scream cause he had to be the strong one.
The house finally came into sight as they got the herd behind the fences and headed to the barn. It wasn’t as big as before, but it did what they needed. William made sure that Mark headed inside first though it got him a glare, “Tell Ma to make you some of her good tea. I’ll be in soon.”
Mark nodded and went on towards the house as William adjusted the rifle and opened the door, he’d make one quick check of everything before going in.
Most of the herd was in good condition so hopefully they’d make some kind of profit, but William winced every time he heard Mark cough. It wasn’t the bad hacking kind he’d had before, but it was still too much, “Almost there, just over the next rise.”
Mark said, “I know, I’ll be fine.”
William managed a smile for him, it seemed like they’d spent most of the past year reassuring each other and their Ma that everything was fine when it really wasn’t. The money that Wade got for them had helped, they didn’t owe anyone anymore, but Ma still cried at night and the work was harder when it was just the two of them.
Moving the herd took longer, they’d gotten better at doing it, but it still took too long. On the bad nights, when Ma cried and Mark coughed, William would wake up from dreams of bullets and try not to cry or scream cause he had to be the strong one.
The house finally came into sight as they got the herd behind the fences and headed to the barn. It wasn’t as big as before, but it did what they needed. William made sure that Mark headed inside first though it got him a glare, “Tell Ma to make you some of her good tea. I’ll be in soon.”
Mark nodded and went on towards the house as William adjusted the rifle and opened the door, he’d make one quick check of everything before going in.