Good Intentions

JIM’S POV

I hear the alarm go off and get out of bed. I make my way to Will’s room to get him up to get the day started. I notice Lily in the kitchen putting some food together for us a lunch. I step in his room and nudge him, he rolls over and sees me, rubs his eyes and starts to get out of bed.

I sit at the table and my food is placed in front of me, I begin to eat. Will joins us in a few minutes, dressed and ready to work. He’s somewhat growing on me. He’s eager to learn, obedient and doesn’t talk too much. He’ll ask questions about whatever we are working on to gain knowledge, not to make noise, or talking just to talk. He works to the best of his ability.

I notice his hair is growing out and will have to be trimmed soon.

I watch as he pushes up his sleeves on his shirt and take in how well the removal of the tattoos has gone. Some may need only one more session. He still has not mentioned the history behind the one on his hand so we don’t bring it up. He has seen it now, to have it removed may cause unwanted questions.
I finish and remain at the table while he finishes. Lily takes my plate and tells me what is packed for our lunches. Will finishes and takes his plate to the kitchen, kisses his mothers cheek and heads to the door to put his boots on, I follow.

We step out into the cold air and it almost takes your breath away.
“Today we have to make some repairs to the barn. One of the horses got spooked and started kicking, breaking boards, knocking some loose.”
The barn isn’t far from the house. We pull up and we both hop out and make our way in. I walk him to each of the stalls and explain each horse to him, their name and purpose.

Last year I purchased a couple of Tennessee walkers as an investment. I have someone come out to train and ride them on a weekly basis. I explain the difference in the type of feed they are fed versus the work horses we have.

As we near the back of the barn, I open the door to where we store the grain, feed and other nutritional needs for the horses. I show him on the wall a print out of how and what each horse is fed and how often. Each bucket is labeled, everything is self explanatory. He gets started on that while I move the horses around to repair the affected stalls.
I watch him as he works and decide that I made a very good choice in picking him. He has a good work ethic, doesn’t waste time and never complains.

We stop and break for lunch, sitting on some bales of hay in the barn.
“Can I ask you something?”
I nod for Will to continue, “How did I get this tattoo?” I say the first thing that pops in my head.
“You and one of the local boys went off on a tangent one night and that’s the result. We decided to let it stay to remind you what happens when you throw all caution to the wind, acting on impulses and not thinking things through.”
I smile inwardly thinking how I handled that. He doesn’t question anymore, just continues eating.

We finish our lunch and get back to work, which as far as the barn is concerned, is pretty much finished, clean up is all that is needed.
We load up and head down to take at look at the cows that were injured to check on them. A drive down to that particular ditch will have to be made to make sure no other cows have hurt themselves to the point that they cant return.
He helps me check them, feed them and let the ones that are able, into an enclosure until they are fully healed.
We finish our rounds and head back to the house, dinner cooking, smelt from outside

Notes