Last Kiss
CopyRight1997 by Ginger Johnson
All Rights Reserved

The wind blew through the cracks, sending an eerie whistling sound through the old porch. Two old oaks stood sentinel outside the back door, subtle roots thrown out in search of nourishment. Their wandering had destroyed the foundation of the old farmhouse. A small pile of fresh snow had drifted beneath the door frame that no longer kept anything out.

Jodi tightened the zipper on her jacket, dreading the trip out to the barn. The clock on the wall as she left the toasty warmth of the kitchen showed 5:00. Her eyes' red and swollen, attested to a night without sleep. A week without rest.

Swallowing hard, she pulled on heavy gloves and stepped out into the storm pounding the northern half of the state. The cold weather front off Lake Michigan sent Indiana into a deep freeze every winter. The darkness of the icy chill battled with the sun's attempts to rise.

Jodi didn't notice. Her eyes were on the ground, but she wasn't looking. Her mind braced itself. She tried to harden her heart to what might await her in the barn. She'd been given a week to prepare herself and yet she had not. She didn't know if there was a next week, or a tomorrow.  She could only hope for another hour. Not a single track marred the new fallen snow before her.

The barn door creaked when she opened it. A breath caught in her throat and tears began to flow when not a sound welcomed her. Jodi forced her legs forward.  Lip caught between her teeth, she opened the first stall door on the right.

A sigh escaped, when the golden head lifted. Jodi knelt beside her companion of four years. Gently, she moved the pale ivory- coloured forelock from the brown eyes and laid her cheek on the mare's forehead.

"Damn that vet!"

Tears streamed down Jodi's face. A week ago, she had begged him to come back. A week ago, he said give the medication time. For a week, she watched her best friend slowly slip away.

The mare, her hindquarters paralyzed had still nickered each time Jodi approached, the familiar cheerful sound echoing in the old barn. Until last night Sunni had eaten.  When the mare showed no interest in the warm bran mash, Jodi knew the hourglass had been turned. Each minute now borrowed.

Removing her gloves, Jodi wrapped her arms around Sunni's neck. She buried her face in the long, thick mane. The smell of the mare filled her soul. Settling back on her heels, she offered Sunni a handful of the peeled carrots withdrawn from her pocket. The mare remained still, her brown eyes empty. Her muzzle made no move towards her favorite treat.

Jodi rearranged the forelock, tucking it off to one side. She left one long, lingering kiss upon the small star that graced the center of the mare's head. Her hand slid down Sunni's face, remaining briefly on the velvety soft skin of her nose, before the cold drove Jodi back into the house.

At the stable door, she turned back to look at the mare before drawing the gate shut. She knew the mare's soul would be gone when she returned. The kiss she had just bestowed would be the last.