She had been leaning on the fence for a while when she finally felt him approach her. Alissa sighed with relief…she’d been waiting for him, and somehow, he always knew that.
Despite her terrible mood, she found she rolled her neck and tipped her head back, welcoming the sensation of his breath in her hair. She smiled as the warm, humid breeze, stirred her dark curls. How on earth did he do that? She surely had nothing to smile about now… Well…nothing but him.
He stepped a little closer, chest pressed against her back now, and made no sound when he laid his cheek to her temple. Alissa felt him breathe against her, his chest swell and fall, and it was almost as though he breathed his strength right through her. Standing got suddenly easier as she reached to bury her fingers in the hair behind his ear. He was warm and safe and solid, and it didn’t take words to tell her why he had come. He was offering understanding… He knew exactly how this felt.
He pressed his chin into her shoulder then, comforting her, and returned her sigh as Alissa squeezed her eyes shut, wiping her tears. The bruise around her left eye, stung, from the flowing salt…but there was nothing left to cry for. Whatsoever she had lost, she still had him… And he knew her like no one else could; he listened to her very thoughts, trusted her with his life…and she trusted him with hers. It was so much more than she could ever say for Steven.
Alissa turned to face him then, and cupped his velvet nose in her hands.
“I want a divorce, Othello.” She told the great, black horse. “That’s the last time that man lays hands on you or I.”
It's nice how animals can always be there for us--even when people aren't. Good story.
ReplyDeleteI love it - animals ALWAYS know when they are needed and make us feel better just by being there. Thanks for this wonderful image.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful story, and so true. The critters always know when we need them most.
ReplyDeleteLoved this story.
Very touching. Thanks goodness Alissa has one trusted companion.
ReplyDeleteAt least someone in her life is trustworthy.
ReplyDeleteUnsurprisingly very well written Amy. This is just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSurprising story, Amy. Once I'd reached the end and realized the twist, I had to go back and re-read once again.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great image!
ReplyDeleteI love animals and always feel that they're more reliable than anyone else in our lives.
Nice job, Amy. Animals certainly can key in on our deepest emotions and often provide the moral support we need when we can't find it anywhere else. She has a great friend in Othello.
ReplyDelete~jon
Very well done. I like how you think she's talking about one type of person when she's talking about another. And the empowerment at the end. Wonderful.
ReplyDelete