Up with the Sun

Damion

It felt good to slowly start building a routine. I had dropped Oliver off at school and then went right back home to get started in the barn. It felt good to know what needed doing. I had gotten up early and taken the horses out to the pasture, feeding and watering them before taking Oliver to school. Now, it was time to clean out the stalls.

I had just finished the first one when I heard Alex’s truck coming down the driveway. There was a little rush of excitement at the thought of seeing her. I knew I had no business getting excited about it, but I liked hanging out with her. It could have been the lack of adult interaction the last week. She was really the only adult I had spoken to since I quit my job. Oliver was a great kid, but he was five and not exactly a great conversationalist.

“Two days in a row!” Alex said as she walked into the barn.

I grinned. “I’m making it work.”

She smiled at me. I took in the sight of her clean face, free of makeup. She looked young and beautif