The Mating Game

A New Baby

The night we returned from the gathering Laura, and I cornered Katie in our room about her behavior. Katie’s reasoning for selling me out was that she was afraid and not thinking clearly. She knew the man was David Hall and she wanted him away from her as fast as possible so when he showed interest in me, she just blurted out that I should take a walk with him alone. She apologized many times, but I’m still not sure if she’s sincere about it or not, however, I have no time to worry about that today. For the last three days, Aaron and I have been responsible for all of the chores that needed to be done on the farm because both Laura and Katie had come down with something, and both of them are still ill today.

“I just gave Laura and Katie a bowl of soup and a glass of water, so they should be okay for a few hours.” I sit with a thud next to Aaron at the kitchen table.

“Great, so you’ll be with the animals again today, okay.” Aaron says taking the last bite of his scrambled eggs.

“I’m sure I can handle Ana and her twitchy legs now that I know her secret ways of distracting her prey before she comes in for the kill.” I say jokingly pushing my in chair.

“If you need anything I’ll be down at the beach checking your traps for a while and then up at the garden. After you.” Aaron holds the front door open motioning for me to step out.

“See you later today” Waving I head towards the barn. I decide to start with the easier chores first and then slowly move towards the more difficult ones, such as milking her Royal Highness. Stepping into Ana’s stall, I begin talking to her.

“Alright you big b***h it’s time for you to play nice with Miss Addy, you hear” However, Ana is lying in her stall.

“What’s wrong big girl?” Kneeling next to her I pet her back lightly.

“You’re not so big and tough when you’re laying down. You’re just a big softie. Are you feeling alright?” Walking around Ana’s body, I quickly scan her body looking for what is ailing her. Stunned I find two small feet poking out from her behind.

“Oh my god, Ana you’re in labor.” Like a chicken with its head cut off, I start running around the barn. Okay, I have seen one of the nonviables help a cow birth her calf once before… what did they do? Think damn it. “Rope,” I say loudly to myself. The nonviable tied rope around the calf’s legs to help pull it out. Grabbing rope, I return to Ana.

“Okay, Ana I’m here. I think the baby is coming out the right way but then again what the hell do I know.” I tie the rope around the calf’s legs and knot it. Pulling on the rope, I fall back into the wall of the stall as it slides off the calf’s legs.

“Well that worked!” throwing the rope on the ground and wiping my forehead with the back of my hand I kneel back down next to Ana and grab each leg with a hand. I begin tugging and pulling as hard as I can, but my hands keep slipping off of the tiny calf’s legs. s**t, how am I going to get this calf out? Staring at the calf’s feet, an idea comes to mind. Taking off my shirt I wrap it around the calf’s legs to get a better grip on its feet and begin pulling again. This time the calf’s body begins making its way out. After pulling and guiding the calf out of Ana for god knows how long the little calf comes tumbling out onto my body. Holding part of the calf in my lap, I wipe out the calf’s nose with my fingers and massage its nose like I watched the nonviable do.

“Come on baby. Breathe.” Still massaging the little calf’s nose, I feel him come to life beneath my hands.

“Oh my god, Ana you have a boy. I just helped you give birth to a boy.” Excitement pours out of me.

I had something to do with helping this little guy begin his life, and for some reason, that means the world to me. Finally, I was good for something! Finding my shirt, I wipe the little calf off.

“Okay Ana, I know you need time with your baby, and I have no idea what the hell I’m doing so I’ll be back with Aaron.” I give Ana a little rub on the head and close the stall behind me.

It’s afternoon so Aaron should be in the garden. Running as fast as my feet can carry me I notice that this is the happiest I have been in a while. Why does helping that b***h of a cow give birth make me feel so good? I spot Aaron back by the tomatoes in the garden.

“Aaron, Aaron” still running towards him in a full sprint I can see shock and alarm on his face.

“What’s wrong? Who’s hurt” he’s panicking and running towards me.

Gripping my shoulders, he yells “Why are you covered in blood? Is someone hurt?”

“No, no it’s fine, it’s fine.” I take a few deep breaths and then a silly grin comes across my face.

“Ana had a baby, and I helped her,” I say barely able to contain myself.

“Really? I didn’t even know she was pregnant.” He says bewildered.

“Well she was definitely pregnant, and she definitely had a baby, and you should definitely come and check on her and the calf because I have no idea what the hell I’m doing.” We both turn and start jogging towards the barn.

“Umm not to change the subject or anything but where is your shirt?” Aaron asks smirking next to me. Holy s**t that’s right I’m in just a bra. In all the excitement the last thing I thought about was my clothes or lack thereof.

Trying to sound as confident as possible I casually say “I needed it to help get the calf out and to clean him up after he was born.”

Shrugging we keep jogging towards the barn. When we arrive, I take on the role of spectator and stand back as Aaron tends to the calf and Ana. He finishes cleaning the little calf off and moves him to another stall where there is clean hay. He then brings Ana to join the baby.

“I’m going to stay here for a little while and make sure they are both okay. Why don’t you go and clean yourself up.”

Aaron says looking my body up and down.

“You did a good job today.” I hear him say as I turn around.

“Hey, you helped deliver him, so that means you get to name the little guy. Think about what name you want to give him.” He shouts to me as I leave the barn.