"V" FOR VERONICA
A FAMILIAR FACE
As Otis was sleeping and dreaming an unusual dream interrupted his previous dream: he is in someone's arms, but he couldn't see her face very well and yet, that face seemed familiar…
Searching for old memories in days gone by…
She was smiling, that face was familiar, but he couldn't remember from where
Remembering an old melody from almost time…
Even sleeping he smiled with a gentle smile as a sweet voice spoke, she was singing, there was something warm in her
Oh and after all the changes I recall…
I will remember the dreams locked inside my heart…
Otis, in his dream looked up and saw his mother, she was exactly as he remembered her, a kind look, a warm body; but when he looked down there was someone on her other arm: another calf
I will remember the dreams locked inside my heart…
He woke up when a drop of water fell from the tree branch; it was a little dark but he could see the first rays of sun behind the hill, Abby was at his side with Grace sleeping peacefully. Otis got up carefully trying not to awake her and went to the barn, to prepare the breakfast for her; as he was walking Otis was thinking "I know that calf, but I can't remember from where"
Otis prepared a simple breakfast for Abby: orange juice and fruit. He pushed away those thoughts and concentrated in Abby and Grace – Good morning sunshine – Abby smiled when Otis said that – Good morning – Otis knelt next to her as he put the tray on the grass and drank the juice, the sun was rising filling the sky with colors like yellow and red. When they finished the breakfast Abby fed Grace.
When the sun was a little high in the sky they heard the farmer's truck leaving, it was a beautiful day, so Otis decided spend time with Abby and his daughter; the first thing they did was a nice trip at the pond, there, the fishes were swimming and some of them jumping on the water
– There's nothing like a nice walk in this beautiful day of summer –
When they returned at the barnyard Otis saw all of his friends enjoying that sunny day, then Peck walked straight to them – Otis, there's a young cow looking for you inside the barn – he frowned – Who? –
-I don't know who is she, but she isn't alone, she came with Veronica – "Veronica" he thought that maybe could be a trick, decided to know what she was planning, Otis went to the barn; he heard a sweet voice singing, but what caught his attention was what she was singing…
Searching for old memories in days gone by
Remembering an old melody from almost time…
It was the same song with which he had dreamed last night, he stopped, that was the song that his mother used to sing him; he didn't opened the door "how's that possible?" he thought as that voice continues singing
Oh and after all the changes I recall
I will remember the dreams locked inside my heart…
He opened the barn's door slowly and saw Veronica leaning against the wall, and at her side a White – Black spotted young cow; there was no doubt she had a beautiful voice, there was something strangely familiar on her, when Otis entered Veronica spoke – He's here – that cow looked at him "I saw her face somewhere, but where?" Otis made an effort to remember her, and then Veronica spoke again
-Otis, she's Ayleen – and before he could say something Veronica continues speaking – She's your sister – his eyes were completely open, that could explain the song she was singing
-What… How's possible? – Otis gave a step backwards as Ayleen looked at him with nervousness on her look – I've missing you – Ayleen said as she gave a step forward; when he was about to ask her how's that she knows that Otis was her brother Ayleen said – we thought you and mom died long time ago –
He had some doubts, so he wanted to know about the song – That song… - Ayleen had a nostalgic smile – Our mom used to sing it to us when we were calfs – Veronica left them alone, they may had a lot to talk about; she went outside the barn and sat on the grass as she saw the clouds being pushed by the wind
-How did you found me? – Ayleen was nervous, she hadn't seen his brother since her mom and he went to the meadows long time ago – I thought you were dead – when she noticed that Otis wanted to know how's that she found him, she explained him everything
– That kind cow, Veronica, she arrived to my barnyard one month ago. When she saw an old picture of you and mom she said "Hey, it's my friend Otis" –
"A kind cow?" she didn't knew that Veronica tried several times to ruins his life – I ask her if she knew you, she said "Yes, he's in another barnyard" when I asked her about our mom she didn't say anything, she didn't know where she was –
"Now everything have sense" He hugged her gently – She, our mom passed away, I ended here by accident – Otis sat on the hay and Ayleen do the same, they talked about their respective lives since they got separated, after a small talk Ayleen raised and looked out the barn's window – There's another reason why I'm here –
Veronica was sitting in the grass when she saw Abby walking straight to her, she looked down, trying to avoid eye contact; the way Abby was looking her made her feel a little embarrassed, in fact, Abby was smiling – Hello Veronica – she had to looked at her to replied her – Hi Abby – Abby sat next to her, she had Grace on her arms
When Abby sat next to her Veronica closed her eyes – Abby, I… I'm sorry, I almost destroy your family and… - Abby interrupted – Don't worry, I forget you long time ago; I only wished you had said goodbye to me – when Veronica opened her eyes she felt a small hoof taking hers, it was Grace, she took her hoof as she was smiling – Who is this charming calf? – Abby giggled – She's my daughter Grace –
Veronica moved her hoof up and down like saying "hello" – Hello Grace, I'm your aunt Veronica – Then, Veronica kissed her cheek, Abby had a doubt about the cow that came with her
– Veronica? Who is the cow who came with you? –
Veronica took Grace on her arms – She's Otis's sister – Abby's mouth were wide open – I had no idea he had a sister – Grace was having fun when a butterfly landed on her nose and she was trying to catch it – I guess he didn't remember her, he only remembered her when she sang –
Back at the barn Otis raised and sighed – I don't know if I could do it, now I have a family; i can't live without them – Ayleen turned to where Abby was – I know, but, is not more important what I'm asking you? – Otis sighed – I need to think about this, I'll give you an answer tomorrow –
Otis and Ayleen went outside the barn, when Abby and Veronica saw them walking straight where she was – Abby, I want you to met my sister Ayleen – Ayleen was a shy cow, she showed a small smile – Hi Ayleen, is nice to meet you – Ayleen seemed a little younger than Otis, the only difference between them was that Ayleen had brown eyes
The four cows spent the day together, like a big family; when the night came Otis lead Veronica and Ayleen to their stall, inside had fresh hay, a couple of pillows and two blankets – I hope you can feel comfortable, I know the space is small and… - Ayleen kissed his cheek and looked at him with tired eyes – It's okay, I'm used to that – When Ayleen leaned back in the hay Veronica covered her body with the blanket – Goodnight Otis – Ayleen said as she closed her eyes – Goodnight Ayleen –
Otis entered on his stall, Abby just had put Grace to sleep, then she invited him to be at her side; he leaned back in the hay at Abby's side – your sister looks nice – Otis gave her a passionate kiss on her lips – is good to see her again – Abby noticed that something bothered him – Are you okay? You seemed worried – He moved his head and smiled – I'm okay, I just had too much excitement for one day – He hugged her and closed his eyes.
Otis couldn't sleep, the old clock had 4:15 on it; he stands up slowly trying not to wake her. He went outside the barn and crossed her arms over the fence and thought about what Ayleen asked him
-Otis, will you consider return with me to our barnyard? –
-What? –
-We're having hard times, after you and mom disappeared nothing was the same; we need a leader, we need you… I need you –
-I understand, but I'm sure someone else can do it –
-No, there's no someone else, after a strange disease wiped out many of our friends, our farmer decided it was the best choice send us to different barnyards, we are only a few left on the barnyard; we need a leader and I don't have what it takes to be a leader. Everybody's counting on me –
-I want to help you, but I just can't leave. My family needs me here –
-And I'm not part of your family? –
Otis looked at the sky, looking for the answer when Veronica appeared at his side – can't sleep? – She scared him, she made him jump – Sorry, I didn't wanted to scare you – she crossed her arms over the fence too as Otis looked at her with curiosity – I couldn't sleep, I feel strange being here after I swore I wouldn't return – At first look Otis saw something different on Veronica, she seemed to be a little "chubby"
Otis put his hoof on her shoulder – I'm glad you had returned – she was impressed, "why he said that" – Abby and I were missing you, all what you had done is now history, everybody deserve a second chance – Veronica pushed away his hoof – I don't deserve a second chance – Otis took her hoof and looked at her eyes – Isn't fair to you to feel guilty the whole time – She had a tear running from her eye – But I tried to destroy your family, do you really think someone like me deserve a second chance? –
Otis sighed and looked at her with a gentle smile – Yes, I really think you deserve a second chance – she cleaned up the tears and asked him – So, what are you doing here? – He explained everything Ayleen told him
-And what do you want to do? – Otis leaned his back against the fence – I don't know – Veronica kissed his cheek – Otis, only you can decide what to do, no one else, the answer you're looking for is in your heart – She walked to the barn, leaving Otis alone; as he was looking at the fireflies he said something for himself
Otis stayed all night long outside, with only a few hours to down Otis had made his choice; he would gave his answer to Ayleen.