Joe set the box of momentoes on the floor and dropped his keys and wallet into the small basket next to the table lamp in the foyer. "Lanie, I'm home."
His wife came out of the kitchen and stepped up to him. They hugged for a bit longer than usual. "Oh, Joe, I'm so sorry. What a way for it to end." She kissed him on the cheek.
Joe shook his head. "Some luck, huh. Thirty-seven years and this is how it goes." He followed her into the kitchen.
"Want a beer or--"
"Stronger." He sat on a stool at the kitchen bar.
"Poor Molly."
"Poor Stephanie."
"The intern, right?"
"Yep. We were all in the dining room. They were just about to cut the cake when her call came in."
"Poor girl. What is she, like 21."
"Twenty, I think. Third day at the holding paddock. Molly dragging that carcass around. Queenie and little Tosha were in there too. All the others started trumpeting and rushing around outside the paddock gates. Of course people were upset and kids were crying."
"Pretty horrible."
"First stillbirth ever in 73 years. The very first." Joe took a sip of bourbon. "Cheers."
"Oh, Joe. I'm sorry." She came around and hugged him around his shoulders. "Did they go in, did they get the baby?"
"No, Tim and I decided to let Molly grieve as long as she wants. Unless she stops eating for more than a day or two. We did get Queenie and Tosha out of there."
"Well, not your problem--oh, I shouldn't have said that."
"No, it's okay. I guess it's not. Not really. Tim will call. That poor kid. Welcome to the world of caring for animals."
"What a terrible thing. Sorry the send-off fell apart. It would have been nice to finish up with your friends."
Joe set the empty glass down. "Well, I'm going back Tuesday morning to try again. You could go with me."
"I would like that. Wonder if you'll get a fresh cake."
"Hah--yes. Not even Bob is that cheap."
Lyman 2024
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