Billy and Lou: A Short Story

This piece was inspired by a storm that hit my home a couple of weeks ago. I sat outside and began to type and felt the air get dense. I knew it was about to rain, but I felt something mischievous about it. I hope you enjoy Billy and Lou's story. - Jess

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“A storm is coming,” Billy called out, “you can tell by the way the wind is blowing.” 

The wind felt normal to me, it was a warm day with a cooler breeze. I closed my eyes and tried to hear if a storm was coming. Maybe if I could get to a higher ground, I could hear the whispers of the clouds. “Do you think they talk?” I asked Billy. “Who? The wind?” Billy questioned my sanity sometimes, especially when I asked questions like these out of nowhere. “No, not the wind. The clouds. Do you think they talk about when they plan to release water?” I asked, repeating the question for Billy to better understand me. Billy furrowed his brows together making deep lines in his forehead. I always thought something could hide in his forehead lines. Maybe some kind of bug could squeeze between the skin and stay dry from the rain Billy is sure is coming. “I don’t think so Lou.” Billy said as he put his hand to my back, guiding me back into the house. Billy sometimes calls me Lou when he wants to be endearing. He rarely calls me by my full name – Louisiana. 

“Stay in here, Lou. I can tell the storm is going to be a bad one. I’m going to go check on the animals. I’m sure they can sense the storm.” Billy said as he paced around the halls looking for his work boots. Before he left to check on the cows he gave me a quick kiss on the forehead. It was one of those things that Billy made a habit over the years. He always made sure to give me a kiss every time he walked through the door. Billy has been worried about the cows lately. Old Sammie is due to give birth to her little calf any week now. Billy has always been so good about caring for pregnant cows. Billy was good at taking care of me too, but that was so long ago. He still manages to take care of me, as best as he can. I know I am difficult with my questions and needs, but he is so good at accommodating me. I love him. I always have. 

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Billy was right about the storm. The rain sounds like gunshots hitting the roof. The noise would be relaxing if Billy were here. He has been out taking care of the cows. I’m sure they got scared with the storms and Billy is comforting them the way he always does. 

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The rain is lighter now and Billy is still not back. Was something wrong? Did Old Sammie finally give birth? Does he need help? Is he injured? My thoughts spiraled into an incoherent series of worry and anxiety. Billy might be hurt. Before I knew it I had my boots on and I was halfway to the barn. I hear faint moaning. Oh no poor Sammie is having trouble. I know the pain of carrying a child, but the poor babe never made it far enough to take their first breath. Before I know it I am outside the barn door. For some reason I hesitate. Maybe it was my guardian angel protecting me from seeing something I didn’t want to see, but I stopped outside the door. I looked to my left and I saw all 13 of our cows under the trees by the West fence. Old Sammie was there, lying down on some soggy roots. I heard another moan. Without the anxiety coursing through my veins, I realized it wasn’t a cow. My hands started to shake as I covered my mouth from making a noise and revealing myself at the entrance. I walked towards the cows and fell down in the mud. Old Sammie spoke to me. It seems she was trying to comfort me in a language I will never know.