Chapter 14

There was a low red stool with three legs near the front entrance with a large stack of clean metal pails beside it. He sat on the stool and assessed its sturdiness before getting up and opening the nearest stall, releasing the most eager goat within. She ran about a bit, but refused to come closer to the stool and pail. Felix sighed and moved both stool and pail to the goat instead. She stood remarkably still while Felix tentatively wrapped his hand around one of her teats.

“Ew, it’s warm.” He let go and gagged. He shook his hand and took a calming breath. As he was reaching down to try again, he saw a large black rooster standing near the barn door, its oil-slick black feathers shone in the light.

“Shoo.” Felix motioned for the bird to leave. It turned its head curiously instead. “Beat it.” Felix kicked out in the rooster’s direction even though it was several feet away. It puffed its chest and slowly flapped its wings a couple of beats.