A Shepherd’s Tale

As a herd of sheep rolled over the fields, a small shepherd dog, Alice, sprung around the sheep in a playful manner, scaring a few of them accidentally. Alice bounced around and found the game in moving the herd in different directions to her heart’s content.

“Hey!” Peyton whistled. Her owner hollered for her to regroup beside him and focus up. Peyton rested a rifle upon his left shoulder and strolled back towards the farm behind his herd of sheep.

Upon reaching his farm, Peyton saw on a tire swing his daughter, Tina, wasting the day away doing whatever she desired. Tina saw Alice and ran forward.

“Alice! C’mhere, girl!” Tina pat her legs to summon the pup. Alice ran with her tongue out gleefully until Peyton whistled once again.

“Nu-uh, Alice, return!” Alice looked back and forth, conflicted by the opposing commands, but yielded to the demanded voice of Peyton. Alice retreated back to Peyton and continued escorting the sheep.

“She’s workin’, sweetie,” Peyton reminded Tina firmly. “Not now.”

Tina pushed her mouth to the side in disappointment, though she understood. She slouched back onto the tire swing and watched her father bring in the sheep. Alice did her best not to be distracted by Tina’s presence, as the two of them were eager to play together; Alice submitted to the leadership of Peyton until he gave them the all clear.

The final sheep staggered in the pen and Peyton locked up. Peyton clicked his tongue and nodded towards Tina as Alice bolted after her. They rolled around in unadulterated joy, chasing each other and falling in the dirt.

“Supper’s in an hour,” Peyton instructed.

“Yes, pop,” Tina barely got out as Alice was licking her face incessantly.

Peyton walked inside their home and hung up his rifle. He took a slow breath in and exhaled just as slowly. As he wiped the top of his bald head, he glanced over and saw his wife, Gloria, cutting up the vegetables for tonight’s supper. She looked over her shoulder and saw her exhausted and tense husband by the front door.

“Peyton,” she said sternly.

“What?”

“Come over here for a sec.”

Peyton obeyed, ready to refute whatever claim she was about to present. “What?”

“You look miserable,” she said without looking up from the vegetables.

Peyton waited for more but in her silence he became frustrated that she was wasting his time. Gloria eyed him, waiting for him to defend himself or retort, but in his silence she knew she had to pry it out of him. “Have you seen yourself lately?”

“I look fine,” he insisted as politely as he could manage.

“You don’t, honey, you look like a fifty year old that works all the damn day and doesn’t spend time with his daughter enough – and don’t tell me I’m wrong because I can see the frown marks on your face, Peyton.”

“Am I supposed to work less?”

“No, you’re just supposed to play harder.”

“That’s what that dog is for, so Tina can play with somebody.”

“Honey, a dog don’t mean nothin’ compared to her daddy,” Gloria preached. She turned away from the vegetables and shook her knife at him casually. “Peyton, you don’t realize she’s growin’ up. Kids, they grew up so damn quick, honey, and before you know it they’re adults. And before you know it, she won’t want nothin’ to do with you because you had nothin’ to do with her.”

“Are you callin’ me a bad father?” Peyton defended angrily.

“No. I’m keepin’ you from becomin’ one.” Gloria returned to the vegetables and minded her business. Peyton backed away and left to the bathroom.

Peyton shut the door and looked in the bathroom mirror. He saw the firm creases lining his face. His reflection worried him. The pensive and intimidating demeanor confirmed Gloria’s accusations. It was no wonder Tina cared more about playing with Alice than seeing her own father. Peyton sighed and turned on the sink faucet, catching a pool of water in his gruff hands, and splashed it on his face.

Treading through the morning dew, Peyton wadded behind Alice, who scampered around the grass on the hill, escorting the sheep upward to graze by the cliff. He sat on a stone to tie his shoe, balancing his rifle on his lap; Alice balanced a butterfly on her nose and nipped in the air at it. Peyton whistled for Alice to stand beside him. She reluctantly did so and began moping, whining as she bowed her head and laid on the ground. Peyton intended to stand her up straight but the voice of Gloria filled his conscious. He was being tough, even on the dog, but he didn’t find it troublesome, he thought. He was only training those that mattered to him right. But as he fought against Gloria’s wisdom, he noticed how depressed Alice seemed laying next to him. She looked eager to play with the sheep, as she kept eyeing the herd.

Peyton decided he’d allow, just this once, to let Alice free. He clicked his tongue and let her loose. She shot out like a rocket with a huge smile plastered on her face and began chasing the sheep around hastily.

Peyton sat up as he saw Alice unintentionally rounding the sheep by the cliff.

“Alice,” he bellowed with his diaphragm. “Alice, back.” He whistled sharply and pointed beside him.

Alice barked chaotically, scaring the sheep further and further away, much to her delight.

“Alice!” Peyton stood up and began jogging as he realized Alice was herding the sheep towards the edge of the cliff. Alice ran towards the nervous flock and scared them beside the drop off, cornering them.

Peyton chased after Alice. “Alice! Alice, back! Stop!” Alice barked and jolted forward. the sheep backpedaled and tumbled over each other. One by one, like falling clouds, the sheep jumped off as Alice continued to chase them. The sheep crashed against the stony ground, painting the rocks red.

Peyton hurried to the edge and looked below, breathless at the sight. His jaw quivered as anger boiled inside him. Peyton turned around and marched back to the stone he sat on and grabbed the rifle.

He flipped it upright and cocked it, aiming between the eyes of Alice. He panted furiously, ready to pull the trigger. She had killed his livestock, his livelihood, and in return her life should be taken. This demanded punishment. But at what cost?

He thought about his daughter, Tina. The only joy in her life was from this stupid dog. It was the only joy she could find at home because he was too busy for her. Tina had found a friend in this animal, and if he returned without her, she’d hate him forever.

Alice cowered, knowing she deserved retribution, but clearly unaware what Peyton held between his calloused hands. Peyton slowed his breathing, and looked away from the sight of the rifle and into the eyes of Alice.

After a moment Peyton lowered the rifle and glared at Alice. She wagged her tail slowly, believing she had regained his trust. Peyton looked back towards the cliff and then back at Alice. He snapped his finger for Alice to follow and began marching away.

Coming over the hill, Tina could see Peyton and Alice returning. She waited on the tire swing patiently, knowing she wasn’t allowed to interrupt Alice while she worked. Peyton clicked his tongue twice and released her from her duty. Alice sprinted towards Tina happily.

Tina hopped off the tire swing and caught Alice in her arms, tackling her to the ground. A smile barely formed on the weathered face of Peyton. It took a moment for him to realize that Tina hadn’t even noticed the sheep were gone. All she cared about was his and Alice’s return.

“Sweetie,” Peyton said awkwardly. “C’mhere a sec.”

Tina rolled off the ground and hobbled towards her father.

Peyton bent down on one knee and looked at her. “You know I love you, right?”

She nodded.

“You love me too?”

She nodded again.

“You mean it? I want you to tell me the truth. You love your old man?”

She nodded and gave Peyton a hug. He embraced her in return.

Gloria watched through the window and smiled proudly.