I lift my phone and take a few photos of him. He really does love this place and I can’t say I blame him. I love seeing him so happy here.
A loud sound comes up the drive and I look out of the window to see a utility truck pull up.
I watch through the window as Elliot walks over and talks to the man in the truck. They shake hands as they introduce themselves.
Who’s that?
I go out to the front just in time to see the man unload Billy the goat from the back of his truck.
“My apologies,” Elliot says as he takes the rope tied around Billy’s neck. “I don’t know how he got out?”
“This is the fourth time in two weeks,” the man says.
Elliot notices me. “Alan, meet Kathryn, Kathryn, this is Alan. He owns the property next door.”
“Hello.” I smile. “What’s happened?”
“Your goat keeps getting out. I found him on the road.”
“Oh.”
“I’m worried he’s going to cause a car accident and someone will be killed.”
“Yes.” Elliot frowns as if imagining the scenario. “Thank you for bringing him back. I’ll make sure he doesn’t get out again,” he says.
“Nice to meet you.” Alan smiles as he gets back into his truck. We give him a wave and he drives away.
“What did you do?” Elliot snaps at his goat.
The goat looks up at him, totally clueless.
“Bahahaha,” Billy bleats loudly.
“You want to run away? That’s fine with me.” He pulls the rope and the goat follows him on the leash. “Just don’t do it on the fucking road.” He keeps walking over toward the paddock.
“Bahahaha.”
“Go inland, fuck off to bumfuck nowhere and don’t come back. But don’t do it on the fucking road.”
“Bahahaha.”
I roll my lips as I follow them to stop myself from laughing out loud.
Elliot opens the gate to the top paddock and leads him in. “You are now grounded to the top paddock.”
“Bahahaha,” Billy bleats.
“Seeing that you can’t be trusted.”
Oh my lord, this is priceless.
Tough guy Elliot Miles grounding his goat.
He undoes the rope around Billy’s neck. “I’m watching you, fucker. One wrong move and it’s off to . . .” He pauses as he thinks of the right wording. “The knackers.”
“Bahahaha.”
“Do you know what they do to naughty goats there?” he asks.
I burst out laughing.
“Go inside,” Elliot snaps.
I turn and walk inside as I continue to laugh.
“Bahahaha,” Billy bleats.
“Stop making that noise, too,” Elliot barks.
I giggle as I walk up the stairs. My life is officially complete.
I’ve heard it all.
“Bahahaha.” The loud noise echoes through the silence.
I glance at the clock: 1 a.m.
“Bahahaha.”
“Fuck this,” Elliot whispers as he throws the blankets back.