by Casey Peeler
Chapter 8
Cadence
I have a glimmer of hope that things are looking up after my conversation with Barrick. It’s the first time since I’ve arrived that something might go my way. I don’t have my contacts backed up but I know the few numbers that matter, and everyone else can give me a like, tweet, or comment. It’s at least a start.
Gran enters through the creaky screen door off the porch.
“Shew! It’s hot as sin out there!” she says and I totally agree.
“So Gran what are you going to do the rest of the day?” I question.
“Right now, it’s time for my stories then I’ll check on Barrick in the barn after the next round of milkin’. You might want to go with me for that.”
“I think I’ll pass,” I respond but quickly change my tune when I remember I need to start playing the game. “Well, I guess. If that’s what you want.”
“I think that would be very nice of you.”
After Gran finishes watching her stories, we walk out to the barn to check on Barrick.
Hearing the pumps as we enter the barn makes my boobs hurt. That’s got to hurt like hell. Barrick is standing between two cows and once he finishes he looks our way.
“How’s it going?” Gran asks.
“Like clockwork, Ms. Mae. I’m just finishing up,” Barrick says with a smile.
“Great! Cadence and I just stopped by to see if you were done. Will you be here early tomorrow?”
“Yes ma’am,” I reply.
“Cadence, tomorrow morning you are to help Barrick at the farmers’ market. He will tend to the cows then you will make your way into town.”
“Yes, Gran.” They both look at me for a beat and then Gran continues with her instructions for market day.
Once Gran is finished with the details, she excuses me from the barn. I walk toward the house, and notice that the sun isn’t quite as high and behind a few clouds. I decide to grab my iPod and dance out on the back porch. I turn on a classical piece with a modern twist. It’s sweet yet angry, and fits my mood perfectly. I stretch, flex, and move to the beat as I count in my head. This is the first piece of heaven I’ve had since I left New York.
Barrick
Ms. Mae goes over a few other items with me, and I try my best to listen but all I can think about is Cadence’s reaction to her tasks tomorrow. It seems like she’s trying, but why? Earlier this morning she was hell bent on not getting any dirt under her nails. It makes absolutely no sense to me at all, but then it hits me, she wants that phone.
When Ms. Mae finishes, I gather as much as I can for tomorrow. Market days are long and tiring so I want to have my truck loaded and ready to go after I’m done milking the cows in the morning. I make sure the milking equipment is ready to go and then begin to load my truck.
As I’m covering the back, I hear music but don’t know where it’s coming from. I look around and that’s when I see Cadence moving to the music on the back porch. I stop in my tracks. I can’t take my eyes off of her. The way her body sways and moves is like wheat moving in the wind. She’s graceful yet edgy. As the song begins to fade, I stop staring and walk back in the barn to close up, but all I can see is Cadence moving to the music. I feel like I caught a glimpse of the real Cadence that’s behind the wall she puts up.