Chapter 4
Grace could no longer continue with her story since it was close to the crack of dawn. Maggie and Mrs. Calloway rightfully thought it would be bitterly pointless to try and force the rest of the story out of her (worried that she would only break down into more hysterical crying). Obviously they didn't know what else to think of. While they slept, Maggie remembered the first time she met Grace, Mrs. Calloway, and the rest of the farm animals after losing her old home to Alameda Slim. The sound of that name still made her boil sometimes as it did now, but not too much knowing he and his goons were serving their time behind bars. Grace was all sweet, peace-loving and especially tone-deaf, but didn't want to tell her she sounded similar to a dying cow (afraid of hurting her feelings). In fact she sometimes wondered how or why she was off tune. Though she was naïve and unaware of certain events, she didn't seem like the kind of bovine to arrive from the wrong side of town.
Mrs. Calloway had never known of where Grace came from since they had only been younglings when they first met. But she did remember her being a little shy around the other farm animals as if she had never seen a goat, chicken, or pig before. It didn't take her too long to become used to them though. Well I sure wouldn't want to spend a lifetime in solitary confinement! She thought as she slept for the rest of the night. Surely by morning, maybe she'll forget all that has happened.
But on that one morning, Grace buried half her body beneath the hay. Her mind was still filled with sorrowful and fearful thoughts. Thoughts of that brutal being discovering her hiding out in a sanctuary, then being dragged further away to be given the most painful beating of her entire life. What if he was already outside at this moment waiting for her to step out of the barn?
"Alright girls, rise n' shine!" Pearl Gesner with her usual morning greeting flew the doors wide open. Maggie and Mrs. Calloway were up sniffing the sweet aroma of bluebonnets on the field, but Grace who was a bit startled by the sound of opening doors hid her entire body even deeper with the exception of her tail hanging out. Pearl noticed something a bit peculiar when she only saw two of the cows step on out. That's strange, could Grace still be asleep? She's always up at this time of the day. She treads softly inside to have a look for herself. Apparently she did find a gold tail sticking out of the hay which shook like the sound of a rattler.
"Grace, are you still under there?" The elderly farm lady slowly picked up part of the hay with her gloved fingertips cautious not to spook her. "Now c'mon darlin', there's no need to be hidin' from me. It's time to…….WWHHOOA!"
Without warning, Grace had exploded out of her hiding place releasing a startled cry of fear.
"Whoa settle now, settle!" Pearl held out both her hands in midair attempting to calm the frightened bovine that was now kicking against the wall screaming. The commotion attracted the attention of the farm animals that were now standing outside to see what was happening. They were taken aback by the sight of Pearl struggling with an uncontrollable Grace.
One of the three piggies wanted to go in and help, but was dragged away by the tail. He looked up to see that it was Mrs. Calloway. She warned him not to make matters worse. She was worried the lad might have suffered critical injuries. What concerned her more was the fact that Grace gave Pearl a hard time by not settling down when being told to do so. She couldn't blame her for being terrified of a nightmare, but having a terrible attitude toward Pearl, she knew was simply unacceptable. Nobody but Maggie, Mrs. Calloway, Ollie, and Audrey knew what might have caused her to behave so out of control.
"Steady there now girl, its all right," said Pearl softly as Grace finally calmed down. Gently soothing the heifer's neck she asked, "What might the problem be?" She for the most part had her way of dealing with frightened animals, but did not understand about her condition. She did however notice that her eyes were a bit red and watery.
"Oh dear me," she muttered worriedly with her right hand over her mouth. "Let me rush back inside and see if I can find somethin' for those eyes." She rose up and turned her direction to the two cows that were still standing still at the doorway. "Think you girls could keep an eye on her for a while?" She asked as she marched past them and into the house.
After going inside, the animals turned their attention back to Grace. Her whole body laid flat on the floor giving them an embarrassing grin.
"Well I daresay never have I witnessed such behavior like that from anyone, especially from you," Mrs. Calloway said in a scolding tone strolling to her.
"Kicking, screaming, why I never….don't you realize you could have hurt someone that way!"
"Alright folks nothing to see here," Maggie, not wanting the other animal to see what was happening shooed them faraway from the den then closed the doors.
The farm animals still stood on the spot dazed and confused with only one thought in mind: What was that all about?
"Maybe she woke up on the wrong side of the hay," said Jeb jokingly. The animals gave him a look of annoyance. Jeb was still a little cranky from being awoken by the loud thump from last night. But of course, that's how he is most of the time.
"Listen dear, I'm only telling you this because I care about you. But from now on there shall be no vulgarity as long as you live on this farm." Mrs. Calloway had just finished as Grace hung her head down in shame. She was right after all. If Pearl or any of the animals were hurt severely, Grace might have not forgiven herself let alone wake up screaming.
"YO, hate to interrupt the conversation but….," Maggie butted in. "…soon everyone outside is gonna wanna know all about this."
If she were capable of doing so, Mrs. Calloway would have had her hooves on her hips like an ordinary woman in a foul mood. She let out a sigh. She didn't like to be harsh but knew discipline was an important part of keeping things under control. She also didn't want the other animals to worry to death if they found out what was happening. Perhaps the best thing would be to stay with the sad heifer at least for today.
"Well while Pearl is fixing up an antidote, perhaps Grace would like to continue on with her story." They both sat on the ground as if they were ready to take a nap.
"I can't remember where I was," Grace lied.
"Now, now Grace," said Mrs. Calloway. "You'll never get better if you don't tell us what else is bothering you." She still was concerned.
"Well, um….," Grace began not knowing how to explain. "It's just that….well what if he's out there waiting to take me away from here? I may never…never see my friends again and be alone once more." Her face looked as if she would break into more sobs.
"Grace there ain't nothin' out there but cornfields, flowers, and the family," promised Maggie, "Besides do you know what I do; I'd give him a little of this and that." She shook her right hoof as if she were ready to punch someone. She thought a little sarcasm would enlighten her downed spirits. Grace managed to smile a bit but Mrs. Calloway rolled her eyes in irritation. How can anyone think of humor at a time like this? She on the other hand was in no mood for it and would prefer to handle situations the more serious way.
"Why don't you go on with your story," She informed Grace.
Still lying on the ground in pain, the words of the crow started to frighten Grace with horrible scary images. What if he said was true? She thought nervously. What if I am on the verge of wasting away already? Her head turned to the direction of the sound where Lewis still nailed the last few hammers.
"I have to get out of here," she mumbled jumping up and turned to the front gate to try to run away.
"Tuck sick her!" The call of Lewis's angry tone panicked her. He must have seen what she was doing. She attempted to climb over halfway but was pulled back forcefully by the tail. Gritting her teeth in pain, Tuck caught her with his sharp teeth which sank in a bit.
"Ouch let me go!" Grace wailed still struggling to get away. She did however manage to kick him in the jaw with her left foot leaving the dog to yelp in pain as she climbed over to run into town. Now she had absolutely no idea where she was goin' but she didn't want to bother to find out what would be in store for her. That's what any living being would do if they were scared to death. Lewis had his arms folded across his chest as he witnessed what Tuck failed to accomplish.
"Well don't just sit there, go after her!" Lewis demanded. The Doberman quickly recovered from the pain in his jaw and sprinted over the fence to follow the calf. He'd definitely make sure she'd be sorry for what she did. By the time when Lewis picked her up from last night, he had been met with disappointment when he thought he'd never get a chance to have the taste of roast beef. But Lewis had promised him all the meat he could possibly eat if he could stay as his guard dog until the calf had been fattened up enough. Then he'd go back to his old masters.
Sampson had been huffing and puffing with exhaustion from attempting to outrun that vicious Doberman guard dog. Now that he's here, he had to figure out how he was ever going to get back to his friend without Tuck catching him. There had to be a way somehow.
"Well did you find any?" asked a voice from above a porch. It was Dan who had seen the mouse walking slowly breathing heavily.
"Here it is; wasn't easy though. I had to outrun an angry guard dog tryin' to get back here!" After climbing the steps, Sampson held the items up to him. Before Dan even had a chance to sniff out the scent, a woman's scream brought up both their attention.
"Get out; get outta my hat shop you no good street varmint!" A woman with short blond curly hair, wearing a blue cotton dress with and a white apron over her waist held in her right palm a sweeping broom. She was using it to get rid of what seemed to be a calf with a blond hide. It was Grace! "Out I say; get out and don't come back!" She shouted as she used one last swipe to hit her in the backside violently.
"Grace?" Samson looked over to where she was in astonishment. "How'd she get down here?"
"Is that your friend wearin' a woman's hat?" Dan asked with a giggle. Grace had actually been trying to find a place to hide while still being chased by Tuck and ended up in the hat shop. She threw the hat down on the dusty dirt ground and stuck her tongue out at the shop owner after she had her back turned. Are folks always so grouchy all the time? She thought. Well in this part of the state, it was a dog eat dog world where there were hardly any laws or rules to keep everything steady. She had nearly forgotten about Tuck before hearing a ferocious bark in the distance.
"BARK, BARK, BARK!" The barks were drawing near and Grace started once again running off in fright. What she didn't notice was that she had been heading straight into a few barrels of pickles and bell peppers which she met with a crash.
"Hey, those were my best peppers varmint!" The calf had been half-buried in the bell peppers and pickles mixed together. Even now, the scent began to cause an irritation in her eyes causing them to water a bit. Though that wasn't enough to stop her from running blindly, this time she didn't notice a couple of horses galloping her way in the dust road.
"Grace no, turn back, turn back this way!" Sampson tried to warn her, but the galloping was so thunderous, she couldn't hear him. All he could do was watch helplessly as Grace trotted over to her doom unaware. He covered his eyes.
"What is that?" Grace skidded to a halt a second later after she regained her vision from the blurriness. Her mouth dropped open in astonishment as she witnessed what was about to happen. The ground shook from the galloping of the horses. She stood frozen in her spot in the middle of the road, too scared to move. This was it!