Rainy Night Miracle

Contest entry for Rain, Stars and Love

It rained the night I saw the stars of love.


I headed out the door for one last check on Molly. The cold night air
hammered me through the opened door. The incessant drizzle I had endured
during the day turned into a gully washer the moment I stepped outside.
Shuddering under the onslaught of the rain, my running feet splashed mud
onto my jeans and soaked into my shoes, turning my socks into a wet mush.
For the umpteenth time I wondered how many socks I would need before the
night was over. Groaning I remembered the smoky smell in the laundry
room and wondered what I was going to do for dry feet.

The four tenths of a mile run to the barn felt like a four mile one. Arriving at
the barn door, out of breath, blinded from the rain in my eyes and soaked to
the bone I again wondered just WHY I had bought this broken down, half
starved mare that, I discovered too late, was pregnant. Sighing in
discouragement I thought back to that night at the auction. It seemed like
such a great idea back then.

The auctioneer started the bidding routine by telling us that this beautiful
mare carried the bloodlines of Poco Bueno and Doc Bar. Then they brought
the girl in. The buzz of excited voices died to a eerie silence. Even the other
animals were silent. Curious I turned to see the mare and felt my gut clench.
Counting each rib under her dirty unkempt skin I wondered how she could
even stand. Her mane and tail contained so many cocklebur's they
appeared to be anything but hair. Her feet were so overgrown that she was
standing on her hocks. Then she turned to look out across the crowd and
her eyes met mine. Slowly her ears perked and she nickered. Those crystal
blue eyes burned from within that gaunt face with a spirit and hope that
defined the frail body and in that instant I fell in love.

Inside the barn the roar of the rain was a steady droning. The dim light from
a single bulb above the isle lent just enough light for safe movement, but not
enough to disturb the sleeping mares. One of the mares was snoring, the
sound made me grin. Shaking the worst of the rain out of my hair and drying
my eyes I walked down to check on Molly.

Molly girl was still thin, but that dreadfully gaunt mare was turning into a
beautiful one. The matted mane and tail had been brushed until they were
straight and smooth although still not as full as they should be. The bony
face had started filling out and miracle of miracles those ribs had become
much less prominent. Then came the shock. One that no one ever expected
from a young mare in that condition. A round protruding stomach had me
worried so the vet made another trip out to alleviate my fears. Instead he
announced that she was pregnant and those fears grew into a huge
albatross.

Now, ten months to the day after buying her and bringing her home, here I
stand wondering what the flip I was thinking. With bated breath, a mixture of
excitement and dread, I peer into her dimly lit stall.

At her feet I can see the straw stir. I hear her soft whiffing followed by a wicker
that is answered by a tiny breathless one. From the shadows a perfectly
formed head raises. I don't think I can breath. Rising from the shadows is a
tiny white muzzle, ears and head are capped in black and blue blue eyes
peer out at me.

Dazed I open the stall door and enter. Molly meets my eyes with triumphant
ones, the star on her forehead glimmering against the black of her coat and
those blue eyes shine eerily. Dropping her head she again nudges the foal
until it stands. A white foal, blue eyes, black ears and forehead, black shield
on his chest and a small black patch on his hips. Yes it is a boy, a colt and
he is our miracle. Standing completely in awe at the sight of his first meal, the phrase Rainy Night Miracle crosses my mind that's what he is and thus his name is born. Checking Molly one more time, stroking her soft face and smelling the soft smell of her breath I can finally sigh in relief.

Walking on air I head to the house. Outside the rain has cleared and the first
stars of the night are shining. The air is wet and clean to smell. The long
stormy ride is over and my Molly girl made it through this unexpected trial
with flying colors. So I'm in love again, this time with her tiny white miracle.

Reviews

[Anthony M Smith Jr]

Awesome story! I read this to my grandbaby and he agrees to that this is "good stuff"! Thanks for sharing your words with me.
Life and light!
TT-TTO-NI-K
Elk

[Sean Allen]

Nice story Norma. I guess miracles come to us in many ways, even in a stable.

[Wicahpi]

A "Medicine Hat" !! You are so lucky!!!
What a wonderful story :)
What a beautiful foal. I miss my horses so much.
Wow, still...a "Medicine Hat"!! hahaha
That's just great!!!!

[A.Lee]

Beautiful work. I would love to have seen that. It makes all the hassle of taking care of the horse plus getting soaked in the rain all worth while. Newborns are always such a miracle. Great work! I love this.

Spelling: "pregnate" --> "pregnant"

[Coyote Poetry]

A outstanding story. The description and detail brought me with you. The story create a vision of beauty and life. The birth of life is always a beautiful site to see. A outstanding poem.
Coyote