Jack Plows

"I'm thirsty," AJ husked after a long silence.

"I'll get you some water." I removed my arm from under her and stood on shaky legs. I walked out of the barn, each step a struggle, into the relatively cool air of dusk. Crickets chirped, air blew through leaves. A full moon illuminated my way. I drew the pail up from the well and went back to the stuffy barn. She was sitting, her mane matted around her face. She wiped a tear from her red eyes, snuffling. I handed her the bucket.

She brought it to her muzzle with shaky legs. While she drank, I ventured, "I--suppose I should be going."

She drank greedily, emptying the bucket before putting it down. "If it's all the same to you, Jack, I'd rather not be alone right now."

Tears welled in my eyes. "I'm sorry, AJ, but I just don't think I can deal with--"

She shook her head. "What's done is done, and there ain't nothin' we can do to change it. And if you were fixin' to make it right, the least you could do is stay here and keep me company. Besides, the timber wolves are out this time of year, and I can't have you walkin' home in the dark. Fluttershy would never forgive me if somethin' happened."

As if on cue, a howl cut through the night air. The hairs on my neck prickled, and AJ's ears perked at the sound.

"I don't know. I think Fluttershy would want me to come home."

"Jack," she stood unsteadily, laying a hoof on my shoulder, "I insist."

We walked to the house, and I held the door open for her. She stepped inside and turned the light on. A thought occurred to me. "What about your dog?"

"Winona'll be fine. She's probably already holed up with the pigs."

I walked in, and closed the door behind me.