Page 77 of Till The Cows Come Home
Miles tipped his head back and laughed.
“Take your time.”
Ruby looped her arm in mine, guiding us into the door I’d just exited, inhaling a breath of anticipation as we entered the nearly completed room.
“It’s everything we always talked about,” she squealed.
“You were just here days ago, Rub.” I giggled.
“There weren’t these tiny little desks days ago!”
“Miles made them.”
“I fucking love him.”
“Me too.” I sighed.
“Did you order incubators?”
“I did, and we also ordered a few dozen little flashlights for them to candle their eggs.”
“Oh my god, they’re going to lose their shit when the chicks start breaking through.”
“I know, right? I’m so excited for them to be so excited.”
My gaze was trained on the papers scattered along my desk, my mind flicking through all the scenarios this program would bring, kids’ laughter and awe constantly radiating through the room.
Ruby’s sudden contact jolted me from my thoughts, her arms squeezing around me until I was gasping for a breath.
“You’re going to do amazing. I feel blessed knowing Asher is going to be able to experience something so great because of his Auntie Sage.”
“Let's go save Miles from my mother before I start crying again,” I mumbled, giving her a squeeze before releasing her.
As we exited, the porch occupancy had quadrupled and I could feel the familiar buzz that accompanied good company. Miles was talking to my mother by the grill, focusing intently on each word while he mindlessly flipped chicken. He had a way of making you feel like there was no one else in the room and I could see that now as he spoke with my mother, nodding along with animation that couldn’t be faked.
“Hello again, you two. What else needs to be done?”
“I’m just about to pull the last of these off. If you pull the lids from all the salads, we’ll be up before you’re done.”
Ruby and I nodded, climbing the steps of the porch to join the commotion. Picnic tables had become permanent ornaments on the property, consuming the deck and eventually spilling into the yard as our helpers grew. Our small tasktook seconds, and Miles arrived behind me, setting the tray of chicken amongst the various sides on the buffet before clearing his throat.
“Hi everyone,” his voice boomed through the chatter, “I don’t mean to get emotional on you, but I think our last official day together deserves some thanks.”
The air quieted as he motioned towards our crew before continuing.
“Gerry, Axel, Bobby, Grant, I can’t even begin to thank you and your crews for all the labor you put into this project. Not to mention the love and support your wives brought along with it. Without you, we wouldn’t have even laid the foundation yet and I could say thank you a million times without coming close to what you deserve.”
The men waved Miles off, mumbled about how it wasn’t a problem, but Miles continued on, turning to face my parents.
“Stu and Gale, your love and support is an inspiration to this community. I’m honored to have had a chance to get to know you over the last few months. Your selflessness to guide someone you could have let sink will stay with me forever. ”
Tears streamed down my mother’s face as she listened along, her hand in my father’s. Dad had protested his limitations every day since he’d gotten home, but when I looked at him today, he looked content. Proud even.
“Which leads me to the town. They say it takes a village, and our village showed up. The community support has lifted us up on the darkest days. Thank you all for picking us up and dusting us off when we fell.”
There was some clapping and cheers until Miles finally turned to me.
“Last but not least, my Sage. Words will never convey what you mean to me. You truly are the light that brightens the darkest days. I love you.”
