To Thine Own Self

They talked for a little while longer and then she announced that she had to bury Brutus, but she would meet them at the stable in a couple hours for the first ride. They left and she headed for the barn.

The orientation did more than inform her guests. It gave her a snapshot of their interests and personalities as well. Aaron seemed to be a little wary of the bison, which wasn't altogether a bad thing. His personality was quiet and sober. He'd be the careful one. Rob was an entertainer, but it was hard to tell how he would react to danger. Gerald was hard to read. It was strange that the one she had met twice would be the one she knew the least.

Jonathan helped her get Brutus in a wheelbarrow and pushed it up to the tree for her. He offered to dig the grave but his friend was supposed to pick him up for an overnight, so she told him to go back to the house so he wouldn't get dirty. That was the reason she gave, but truthfully she didn't want him to see her cry.

Working with a mattock and shovel, she began digging a hole. She had the hole about a foot deep when Gerald joined her. He spelled her for a while, digging twice as much in half the time. Together they lifted Brutus from the wheelbarrow and placed him in the hole. For a moment they stood awkwardly over the grave. Finally Carmen grabbed the shovel and jabbed it into the pile of dirt. She hesitated a moment before dumping it on Brutus. The dirt hit his body with a hollow thud. That was when the water works started.

Gerald took the shovel from her and put a comforting arm around her shoulders.

"Why don't you let me do this?"

She glanced down at her shaking hands and nodded. Stepping back, she watched tearfully as he shoveled dirt over Brutus. Gerald was solemn and respectful as he worked. If he thought it was childish to cry over a dog, he gave no indication. When he was done, he placed the mattock and shovel in the wheelbarrow and wheeled them down to the barn for her. She remained beside the grave for a while, silently praying. Finally she dried her eyes and headed for the house. She needed to shower and change clothes before taking her guests out on the first tour. In any case, she was supposed to be taking care of the guests, not the other way around.