Name: Theodore
Gender: Bull
Prompt: [499/500]
- “Hey, come outside! We’re gonna go pretend to be pirates on the creek. I’ll let you be captain~” a young heifer wheedled, arms crossed.
“Not now, Marie.”
“That’s what you always say, Theo! Why don’t you want to play? Being inside all the time is boring!” their eyes met in silent war. But they’d had this discussion many times before. And it always ended the same way.
“Not now, Marie.”
Theo had a dream, - iinside and at his desk that he felt at home, everything else didn’t matter. He wanted to be a writer. He wanted to get away from this farm. He was glad his parents had had marie after him. She’d always enjoyed farm work, so at least they’d have someone after he left. And that’s what he wanted. An escape.
Theodore wrote of aliens and moons and things beyond the stars- checking on chickens and taking eggs would become stealing powerful artifacts in his mind, feeding animals now a risk-filled venture with an unknown species. Escapism was in his mind, adventure in his blood.
Finally, he had his big break- He’d sent in a manuscript, and publisher was interested in talking to him about the book. It had rolled from there- one trip into the city for this job become two. Eventually, he had enough funds to share an apartment with someone. Weekly calls became monthly.
“When will you come back to visit?”
“I can’t now, i’m out of town at a conference- and I don’t think I’ll be able to make the call this month either. Let mom and dad know.”
And monthly become yearly.
Marie stopped calling him. But his parents never gave up.
“When will you come back home? We want to see your book! You’ve achieved your goals, now. Come back home. We miss you.”
It felt like a noose around his neck, those words- you’ve finished what you wanted, come back to where you belong. He loved the city- he loved his apartment.
“Your mom is sick, will you come back just for just a little?”
“I told you, I’m out of country right now. I’ll come back as soon as I’m able.”
In a month, he came back to face his mother, frail, weakened. How had this happened, Theodore wondered. He’d asked Marie about it- she was there too. So tall, now, and-
“You’re pregnant?”
“And getting married soon. I called you about the engagement. But I got your voicemail.”
For the first time, Theodore looked at the people around him. Surrounded by family, he might have as well been with strangers.
“They have all your books, you know. But they were waiting to read them. You know why? They wanted you home to tell them about it. I wanted to read them too. It was always the same answer. Not now, Marie.”
Not now - if not now, then when? The acid taste of regret stuck in Theodore’s mouth. Living in the future- and he’d missed his past.
Extra: [127/250]
Author's Biography wrote:Theodore Burgess is an up-and-coming author, #1 Moo York Times best-selling author, and best known for his works in science-fiction and high fantasy. His published works include ‘Beyond Two Moons,’ and the ‘Walk the Line’ series. Cowgo nominee and CSFA Award winner.
A reclusive author, little of Theodore’s private life is known. He now lives in the countryside of Vermoont. Though never married, he has often been seen taking care of his nieces and nephews.
He has not revealed the title of his latest work, but Theodore has hinted on something new and experimental. “I want to tie in themes of family into my works. I’ve been writing for adults- but that doesn’t mean family isn’t important. I want to try and show that in my writing.”
