Only Prompts - 24. After the Past - a vignette

The dark bay horse cropped the sweet grasses that grew between the trees in the apple orchard. Now and again he’d root out an apple which had been missed by the group of very thorough pickers.

Terry smiled at the horse as he climbed the ladder he’d leaned against one of the trees. He carried a small saw and shears, which were attached to his belt, leaving his hands free.

Putting down one of the pumpkins he’d selected from the communal pumpkin patch, Dave ran towards his husband. He hopped the small fence that separated the patch from the orchard. “Jesus, Terry! What are you doing?”

Halfway up the ladder, the other man stopped. “Dave, geez, I’m just going to trim this tree back some. It’s getting too tall.”

“I realize, but …” Dave stopped and sucked in air. “You know we shouldn’t be doing dangerous stuff alone. You should have someone to hold the ladder.”

“I’m three feet off the ground! The worst that could happen is a bruised ass.”

Dave took hold of the ladder with both hands. “I happen to enjoy your ass unbruised, thanks very much. Okay, go ahead with whatever you’re going to do.”

Terry grinned and removed the saw from his belt and began to saw off strategic branches. After several minutes he returned the saw to his belt and started down. After dismounting the ladder, he turned and found himself in his husband’s arms.

“Mmm, this is nice.”

The men kissed.

“Let’s grab the pumpkins, load the branches in the cart and go home.” Dave dropped his hands to Terry’s behind. “I want this, as it’s still unbruised.”

“You promised me a romantic picnic in the orchard, Dave.”

“We can have a picnic in bed, at home.”

Terry gazed at the horse. “I think Mersey is enjoying himself. He isn’t ready to go home.”

Dave laughed. “Fine, I’m outvoted, I guess. Let’s eat.” Dave pulled their picnic basket from the cart, along with a blanket. “Here, babe, can you spread this out?”

“Yeah.” Terry unfolded the blanket and held it until it settled to the ground.

In the near distance they could hear dogs baying. Dave glanced up from unpacking their food. “What do you think the hellions have found?”

Terry grinned as he reached for a sandwich. “Rabbits, probably.”

“You had to bring back hounds.” Dave chewed his sliced tomato and cheese sandwich.

“They were puppies. Cute, round. Who knew they would grow up to be labra-hounds!”

“Houndradors.”

“I like yours best.” Terry laughed. He wrinkled his nose. “Sorry, these are a bit dry.”

Dave took a sip from a repurposed wine bottle. “That’s why we have water. And you know, in our world without gasoline, or plastic, we need to just enjoy all that we are lucky enough to have.”

“Yeah, there’s a lot to be grateful for.”

The pair sat in silence for a few minutes.

“Dave?”

“Mmm?”

“I was thinking. Our community has grown. What do you think about starting our own communal Thanksgiving? I was thinking about bringing it up at the next meeting.”

Dave smiled. “That’s a great idea. It’s a new world; we don’t need to live by old rules anymore. Yeah. Something that brings us all together. We can cook and eat together in the hall.” He leaned over to kiss his husband. “I love it.”

Terry return the kiss. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”

Suddenly, their picnic was chaos as their two dogs returned. Tongues lolled, a sandwich was stolen and the pair ran off with their ill-gotten goods.

“Hey! Dogs!” Dave turned to watch them run. “They are terrors.”

Terry had been laughing the whole time. “Oh, my god. What shits!”

Dave righted the fallen water bottle and shared half of the last rescued sandwich with Terry. “Mmm, this one is nice. This pâté is really good, babe.”

“Thanks. I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Eat it, cuz we can’t keep it.”

“So, will that be for dinner too?”

Terry laughed. “Well, we could, or we can feed it to the dogs.”

Dave sipped some water. “Ah, yes, I’m sure the houndadors will not turn their noses up at your pâté.”

“Dave?”

“Yeah, babe?”

“It sucks not having refrigeration.”

“Yes, it does.” Dave eyed his husband. “Where is this going?”

Well, I’d like to borrow a couple of Dad’s drays and maybe go down into the city and see what kind of solar equipment I could find.”

Dave’s heart hitched as he remembered Jae leaving so many years before. His face showed anguish as he replied, “Terry … I don’t think this is a good idea. Not alone.”

“So, then come with me. We’ll bring the dogs, your rifle, there can’t that many people in the cities anymore.” Terry reached for Dave’s hand. “It’s not the same, Dave.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t think of him. Not when I am married to you.”

Terry shuffled closer. “I get it, babe. You loved him. I know it hurt. That’s why I want you to come with me. Together we’ll be safe.”

“Who will look after the farm?”

This was always a huge issue. Most people had farms and couldn’t drop their own work to help a neighbour.

Terry squinted. “Jack Robert’s son is nineteen years old. I heard him talking lately, about how he’d like to prove to his dad he can handle things.”

Dave was quiet for a few moments. “Jack is a good man. Donny is too. How long do you think we’ll be gone?”

“Oh, not more than a couple weeks. Harvesting is done. He’d only need to look after the chickens and the animals.” Terry picked up an oatmeal cookie. “He can sleep at ours or just come over.”

Dave closed his eyes for a moment and then sat up. “I don’t like it. I really don’t.”

Terry put his hand on his husband’s thigh. “I know. I’m asking a lot. Look, why don’t you just stay home? I’ll take one of the dogs and my rifle. It should be fine.”

“No way in hell that is gonna happen, Terry. Your dad would murder me first, then your step-mother, and then your brother!” Dave stared at the ground and drew his fingers over a blade of grass. “Okay, we’ll borrow a team from Barry and I’ll ride Mersey.” Raising his eyes, they seared into his husband’s. “But one thing … I will not take chances, if I say we go … then we fucking go.”

“Okay. I promise, Dave.” Terry smiled. He leaned over to kiss his man. The gentle peck became more. Terry drew back. “I, um. I think you were right.”

Dave pressed down on his uncomfortable erection. “Was I? About what?”

“About going home.”

Dave grinned. “I’ll hitch Mersey. You can deal with packing this, right?”

“Yes, I can.” Terry picked up the basket. “Don’t forget our pumpkins!”

Laughing, Dave caught Mersey’s halter. “Come on, my friend. Let’s make some tracks for home.”

the end