Carry Me Away by Weston Ashley

Author:Weston, Ashley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-07-24T00:00:00+00:00

22

HARPER

I wandered off a trail onto a winding dirt path during my walk this morning. The weather was perfect—not too hot, not too cold. An all-encompassing degree of comfort, and it brought a smile to my face. Twenty minutes in, and I was feeling adventurous. Stepping over large rocks, I paved my way through the bumps and dirt that led to a spot I hadn’t yet been. Since it’s about a mile past the ranch, I applauded myself for making the trek without any aching.

Slow and steady.

I came upon a new entrance to the stream that trickled through the ranch land, and the sound was inviting. I pushed through branches catching my linen shirt and was surprised to find Clarence’s back meeting me. He was hunched, leaning over the opening of the water.

What was he doing out here when it was rotation time back home?

As I stepped closer, I could see discoloration in the water in front of him. I moved to step around him, calling him by name, but he didn’t respond. I got close enough to place a hand on his shoulder. “Clarence, are you okay?”

He jumped in response, and my line-of-sight shifted to his leg where his pant leg was rolled up. He had a pocketknife in one hand, and the water next to him matched the color on his ankle. I didn’t want to alarm him, but self-harm was not taken lightly at the ranch, and to follow protocol, I knew I had to alert the staff.

“Harper, please.” His big-brown eyes pleaded. He, too, knew the rules. He knew I had to report him. I needed a minute to regroup and catch my own breath.

“Can I sit?” I pointed to the spot next to him, and he nodded. Once I was situated, I watched him cover his leg with one hand and pull down his pant leg with the other, throwing the knife into the water.

“Wanna talk about it?” I asked.

He just shook his head.

“Is this a regular thing?”

He repeated the gesture.

I sat for a few minutes, praying for some guidance to say and do the right thing.

“Are you going to tell on me?” His voice was low and heavy as his head drooped.

“I have to say something. Unless you want to talk?”

He was silent.

“You’re not alone, Clarence. Life can beat the actual crap out of you, and there is nothing that anyone can tell you to make that better.” He glanced at me from the corner of his eye. “But…I can tell you something about me. Maybe it’ll help you feel a little less alone. Do you want to hear it?”

He nodded, wiping the sweat off his brow. I twisted to face him and wiggled my butt to get more comfortable on the ground.

“I remember a time in my life when I couldn’t handle living the way things were. I was young, but I felt so old. My body was deteriorating. My joints were stiff, my muscles ached, and my bones throbbed all the time.

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