{ "submission_id": "3687240", "keywords": [ { "keyword_id": "61", "keyword_name": "boy", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "83359" }, { "keyword_id": "303", "keyword_name": "canine", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "197493" }, { "keyword_id": "60", "keyword_name": "cat", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "218714" }, { "keyword_id": "37", "keyword_name": "cub", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "289035" }, { "keyword_id": "3", "keyword_name": "dog", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "177329" }, { "keyword_id": "5184", "keyword_name": "farm", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "1896" }, { "keyword_id": "62", "keyword_name": "feline", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "155720" }, { "keyword_id": "1799", "keyword_name": "friendship", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "5372" }, { "keyword_id": "236", "keyword_name": "gay", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "153435" }, { "keyword_id": "862790", "keyword_name": "gruenschnabel", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "1" }, { "keyword_id": "1047", "keyword_name": "hard", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "5737" }, { "keyword_id": "11888", "keyword_name": "historical", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "429" }, { "keyword_id": "70", "keyword_name": "kitten", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "9510" }, { "keyword_id": "165", "keyword_name": "male", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "1223840" }, { "keyword_id": "10308", "keyword_name": "male/male", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "129461" }, { "keyword_id": "633454", "keyword_name": "mentorship", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "10" }, { "keyword_id": "4", "keyword_name": "puppy", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "17955" }, { "keyword_id": "98784", "keyword_name": "responsibilities", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "8" }, { "keyword_id": "909", "keyword_name": "romance", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "9236" }, { "keyword_id": "113", "keyword_name": "shota", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "35612" }, { "keyword_id": "1375", "keyword_name": "work", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "1749" } ], "hidden": "f", "scraps": "f", "favorite": "f", "favorites_count": "1", "create_datetime": "2025-08-17 14:47:02.713058+00", "create_datetime_usertime": "17 Aug 2025 16:47 CEST", "last_file_update_datetime": "2025-08-17 14:41:08.765121+00", "last_file_update_datetime_usertime": "17 Aug 2025 16:41 CEST", "username": "pentrep", "user_id": "202883", "user_icon_file_name": "147300_pentrep_150_by_veemonsito-dcfpc3p.gif", "user_icon_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/large/147/147300_pentrep_150_by_veemonsito-dcfpc3p.gif", "user_icon_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/medium/147/147300_pentrep_150_by_veemonsito-dcfpc3p.gif", "user_icon_url_small": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/small/147/147300_pentrep_150_by_veemonsito-dcfpc3p.gif", "file_name": "5682459_pentrep_country_comforts_-_green.doc", "file_url_full": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/full/5682/5682459_pentrep_country_comforts_-_green.doc", "file_url_screen": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/5682/5682459_pentrep_country_comforts_-_green.doc", "file_url_preview": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/5682/5682459_pentrep_country_comforts_-_green.doc", "thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/5682/5682459_pentrep_country_comforts_-_green.jpg", "thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/5682/5682459_pentrep_country_comforts_-_green.jpg", "thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/5682/5682459_pentrep_country_comforts_-_green.jpg", "thumb_huge_x": "300", "thumb_huge_y": "233", "thumb_large_x": "200", "thumb_large_y": "155", "thumb_medium_x": "120", "thumb_medium_y": "93", "files": [ { "file_id": "5682459", "file_name": "5682459_pentrep_country_comforts_-_green.doc", "file_url_full": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/full/5682/5682459_pentrep_country_comforts_-_green.doc", "file_url_screen": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/5682/5682459_pentrep_country_comforts_-_green.doc", "file_url_preview": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/5682/5682459_pentrep_country_comforts_-_green.doc", "mimetype": "application/msword", "submission_id": "3687240", "user_id": "202883", "submission_file_order": "0", "full_size_x": null, "full_size_y": null, "screen_size_x": null, "screen_size_y": null, "preview_size_x": null, "preview_size_y": null, "initial_file_md5": "167e2ea75a6bfc40ade3bb4248bd671f", "full_file_md5": "167e2ea75a6bfc40ade3bb4248bd671f", "large_file_md5": "", "small_file_md5": "", "thumbnail_md5": "3836a9f1466af9ad7697384b60328eef", "deleted": "f", "create_datetime": "2025-08-17 14:41:08.765121+00", "create_datetime_usertime": "17 Aug 2025 16:41 CEST", "thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/5682/5682459_pentrep_country_comforts_-_green.jpg", "thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/5682/5682459_pentrep_country_comforts_-_green.jpg", "thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/5682/5682459_pentrep_country_comforts_-_green.jpg", "thumb_huge_x": "300", "thumb_huge_y": "233", "thumb_large_x": "200", "thumb_large_y": "155", "thumb_medium_x": "120", "thumb_medium_y": "93" } ], "pools": [ { "pool_id": "44641", "name": "Commissions", "description": "All the works of fiction I have written for other people.", "count": "247", "submission_left_submission_id": "3687229", "submission_left_file_name": "5682445_pentrep_wanting_to_tiaowu_-_rdd.doc", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/5682/5682445_pentrep_wanting_to_tiaowu_-_rdd.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/5682/5682445_pentrep_wanting_to_tiaowu_-_rdd.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/5682/5682445_pentrep_wanting_to_tiaowu_-_rdd.jpg", "submission_left_thumb_huge_x": "300", "submission_left_thumb_huge_y": "233", "submission_left_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_left_thumb_large_y": "155", "submission_left_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_left_thumb_medium_y": "93" } ], "description": "A young boy is forced to go to his uncle's farm to learn the lesson of responsibilities and hard work.\nA commission for @Gruenschnabel ", "description_bbcode_parsed": "A young boy is forced to go to his uncle's farm to learn the lesson of responsibilities and hard work.
A commission for \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGruenschnabel\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGruenschnabel\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
", "writing": "Country Comforts by Pent Ghelsburg\n\nDisclaimer: The characters depicted in this work are purely fictional. Any resemblance to persons alive or dead is purely coincidental. They are the original and rightful intellectual property of their creators. I use them with permission and respect. This work involves some suggestive content with underaged characters. You have been warned. \t\n\nAn old building stands on the side of a busy street. The incandescent lamps are burning brightly against the fresh puddles of water collecting on the street. Cars line the street, with the most notable being a pristine cherry-shaded V-63 Phaeton. The candy red vehicle is a convertible, a luxury many of the era could not afford. Some bystanders walk by looking at the expensive car. It's one they don't see frequently and one that certainly attracted attention.\n\nIt is a quiet street with only the occasional sound of tires tracking through the muddy asphalt-lined streets. Inside the vehicle, a singular fur smoking a cigarette. His face was obscured by the fabric cover of his car. It was dark outside as the poorly lit mixture of tungsten and incandescent filaments didn't provide much illumination. The fog certainly didn't help after the departure of the most recent rainstorm in the area.\n\nThe man gets out of his car. The large rat was bulky and broad-shouldered. Wearing a white jazz suit and a matching bowler hat. The hat had a small feather in it, and the rodent continued to puff some as he occasionally inhaled from his cigarette. After a moment, he began to approach a bank. The multiple-story concrete building had several marbled columns at the front of it. Despite being several decades old, it had been renovated recently and had a fresh coat of paint on it.\n\nThe rat walks around the back of the building, still seeming quite casual about it. Back through an alleyway that led into a narrower corridor. Old cardboard boxes lined up both sides of it, with many of them soggy and malformed. A single garbage bin lay open with a homeless old hag digging through it. The well-to-do man threw her a coin from his pocket, telling her to get lost. The woman was all too keen to take the money and skittered off back to the streets just beyond them.\n\nHe approached the door in the back. A large metallic one with a circular peephole and no lever from the outside. The rat reaches into his pocket to pull out a pocket watch. The solid gold luxury item shines ever so brightly against the only lamp in the area. The man throws a rock at it, causing the light to shatter and the whole alleyway to go dark. Now the only light came from the burning end of his cigarette.\n\nHe put his watch back into his pocket, tapping his foot against the paved, raised sidewalk. The sound of his shoes resounded through the area and echoed even beyond. It was almost as if he were waiting for someone. Several moments passed, and the formerly sealed back door broke open. Two slightly smaller mice-men wearing full-length black trench coats and navy blue slacks. Sharing in the same hat, carrying that flourishing feather under a ribbon.\n\nThe rats did not seem surprised as they came out. Both of them looked at him eagerly with a rather hurried expression on their faces.\n\n\"Let's go before the fuzz arrives.\" The largest of them said before they skittered out.\n\nOne of the mice was carrying a sack on its back. The other toted a Tommy gun that fizzled with smoke at the top. The alarm had just started to go off, causing the three of them to run even faster. Soon, making it back to the rouge colored car. The rat slid over the hood as the sound of police sirens could be heard in the distance. His two compatriots sank into the back of the car, the second of them now grabbing another gun from the floor of the car.\n\nThey were off in mere seconds, and the police began their pursuit. A firestorm ensued between the two groups as the rat driver wove in and out of alleyways. His driving was impeccable, keeping a fair distance between himself and the cops. Gunfire continued to ricochet between them, pelting each of the cars and landing several holes in the Phaeton. One of them pierced the gas compartment where the fuel was held.\n\nThe rat rammed forward through a barricade of police as one of the bullets caused a tire to burst. Barreling through them, even more bullets poured toward the windshield. One of them finally hit the driver, sending the car spiraling into a nearby wall. The Phaeton careened into the side of the building, sending the whole of it into a blaze. Everyone inside had likely perished. The police followed up soon after, with the press covering the entire deal from beginning to end.\n\nA family sat at their radio listening to the whole thing. The narrator of it made it sound much more grandiose than it actually was. The static-filled broadcast followed with an interview of the city constable. An unwilling public relations officer of the police who had been tasked with identifying the perpetrators. The \"Chedara\" family, as they were known, was suspected to be involved, a rather notorious crime syndicate that had been wreaking havoc in the big city.\n\nThe husband looked at his wife and over at the son. Their young son had heard the entire thing and seemed quite enamored by how it unfolded. Yet to them, this wasn't the first time they had heard of such things. Since the beginning of the dry era, such things have become more common. The \"Five Families,\" as they were called, were the very representation of everything bad with the city. \n\n The feline family was closely knit, and the man of the house was a deputy at the local precinct. His wife was a waitress at the local cafe. They were an upstanding family and one that was well-known in the community. The boy's father for his history of fighting corruption and his mother for her signature beverages. After all, alcohol was banned, and people had been leaning towards other methods of enjoyment.\n\nThat night at dinner, it all came to a head. Ralph had recently had his 12th birthday. The kitten had always been interested in his father's line of work, but had taken a peculiar turn when acts of crime had been made public. He hadn't been asking his old man about policing as often recently. Rather, his questioning focused purely on the \"Five Families\" and their acts. It was especially bothersome for the father since the police hadn't been able to rein them in just yet.\n\nThe three of them were eating a larger meal. The boy's mother had mastered the art of cooking since it was one of her expected jobs both at home and at work. A steamy casserole with a side of rice, with some milk for each of them. The boy's father had just come home from work, still in his navy blue buttoned blazer and missing slacks. A shiny badge with the precinct number was pinned against his chest. He was a quiet man, and the recent events certainly didn't help his willingness to share details of his duties.\n\n\"Man, the Chedara were so cool in that getaway. They were like pew pew pew.\" Ralph sat as he mimicked the action of a gun with one of his paws.\n\nThe boy's father stared at him intently. \"What? They are criminals. They aren't cool at all. They are the people I work day in and day out to get off our streets.\"\n\n\"But dad, they like juked the police. If it wasn't for the barricade, they wouldn't have gotten away!\" The kitten seemed excited at the prospect of them getting away.\n\nThe older cat rolled his eyes. \"That isn't true. The law always wins. Why are you so enamored with these bozos anyway?\"\n\n\"They just sound so cool. I wanna be just like them!\" The boy said as his eyes glistened in fascination.\n\nThis was the final straw for his old man. The elder cat had no tolerance for criminals. He had been trained to put an end to organized crime. Now, to see his son glorifying them made him angry to no end. His wife stared at her husband. The women knew all too well when he lost his cool. The elder cat man sat there steaming in his thoughts. His eyes glazed over and blurred from the frustration inside of him.\n\nThe rest of the meal was a quiet one. No further words were exchanged between them. Ralph was sent to his room shortly after without dessert. A punishment that did not sit well in his young mind. He was certain his parents were upset at him, even if he didn't understand why. Spending the rest of the night in his room and busying himself by playing with some of his toys and listening to the radio.\n\nHis parents remained in the kitchen. His father had not removed from his spot. Still stewing in his fury, he wasn't great at bottling up his anger. He never took it out on his son, no matter how bad it got. But this crossed the line for him. He needed to do something. \n\n\"We need to do something about that boy, Cheryl.\" He said, finally getting up to clear the table.\n\nShe gave him a concerned look. \"And just what do you suggest, Gus? He's just a boy. He doesn't know any better.\"\n\n\"This isn't the first time he's fantasized about those crooks. It's gone too far.\" Her husband turned around to face her after putting down a dish in the sink.\n\nThe woman sighed at him. \"So what is your suggestion, dear?\"\n\nThe man thought to himself for a moment. Boarding school was an option, but it was expensive, and there wasn't one that he knew of nearby. Counseling was something he frowned on and didn't think it was suitable for a boy of Ralph's age. He wasn't sure how to handle such a thing, as every method of discipline he had tried had failed so far. Gus walked up behind his wife.\n\n\"I am not sure. Do you have any ideas, my sweet?\" It was the first time in a while that he'd asked her opinion.\n\nCheryl was a bit surprised by the change in his disposition. \"What if we take him to my Brother's place. My brother runs a tight farm in the badlands. He is ex-military and a very much no-nonsense kind of guy.\"\n\n\"The badlands? Your brother grows crops in that desolate wasteland?\" The older male arched his eyebrow at her.\n\nShe shook her head at him. \"It's not as destitute as you've heard. But I think my brother would help. He is always complaining about the lack of farmhands. Do you want me to call him?\"\n\nGus thought about it for a moment. It wasn't something he had considered before. The notion of his son\n doing hard labor appealed\nto him at the moment.\n\n\t\"Yes, please. See what you can arrange and if he'd be willing to help us out.\" The man went back to cleaning the dishes.\n\n\tCheryl went to make the call, spinning the rotary dial to dial the operator. She then provided the directory digits and a name before being transferred. It was a lengthy process and one that took several minutes before she was finally connected. After several rings, her brother answered. The woman explained the situation, and of course, he was willing to help her out. After a short conversation, they worked out the details of the agreement. Ralph would spend his spring break at his uncle's place.\n\n\tOver the next few days, Gus and Cheryl would share the information with their son. Ralph had never been to his uncle's place before. The moment he found out it was a farm, he was none too happy. Of course, they didn't share the fact that he'd be working there, but even without that information, it didn't sound great. The thought of being away from his toys and his friends for all of spring break sounded boring. Still, even after arguing with them for some time, he had gained no ground. He had no choice. The deal was sealed.\n\n\tThe day finally arrived, spring vacation had come. Normally, Ralph would be excited by the prospect of some time off. But the constant reminder from his parents that he would be going to his uncle's didn't sit well with him. Still, he knew he had no choice in the matter. He awoke in the morning to the sound of one of his parents knocking on his door. His mother told him that they needed to get going.\n\n\tRalph got out of bed. A canvas backpack of his things sat in the corner. Barely enough for a week, and yet he was going there for two. He changed out of his pajamas and into more casual garments. A simple white undershirt with a rolled-up sleeved t-shirt over the top of it. The striped fabric matched the knee-high knickers he had picked for the day. Sliding on a worn-out pair of tan leather loafers over some ankle-length socks. The whole outfit matched, and his mother made sure of it.\n\nBreakfast that morning was more hearty than usual. A bowl of grape nuts mixed with some cornmeal. On the side, a hard-boiled egg and freshly cut grapefruit. His mother had even freshly squeezed him some orange juice to drown it down with. Ralph was quiet and deep within his thoughts. Concerns about what might happen or what his uncle might make him do swirled in his egg. It wasn't until his mother urged him to eat that he finally gave in.\n\nThe kitten was slow to eat as anxiety had filled his very being. His mother took notice and was concerned, but the constant stare from her husband reminded her he wouldn't budge. After all, she was a bit of a softy for the boy. Even if it was her suggestion, she didn't feel great about it. Still, there was very little she could do about it for now, other than talk to her brother about it. When he was done, she very quietly told him to grab his things.\n\nRalph collected his leather knapsack from his room and returned to the living room, where she was waiting. As always, she had a calm smile on her face. Little did he realize his mother was putting on a facade to disguise her discomfort with the situation. The woman said nothing as she opened the door for both of them. Heading outside, they made their way through the front door and into the yard.\n\nThe kitten's parents' car was nothing special, an older Kissel 6-45 that had been re-painted a dark maroon color. The hard top on the vehicle folded over it, making it more like a buggie-style cabin than other similar models. They filed into it together and buckled in. Both of them rolled their windows down, and before long, his mother started the engine. The loud car was rickety and shook the entirety of its body.\n\nAfter a second, the vehicle settled down, and they were underway. His mother turned on the radio to a jazz channel to help drown out the sound of the loud engine. It didn't help much since the speakers weren't very loud and crackled as the car sputtered along. The trip to the \"Badlands\" was a longer one. Ralph's mother led them down the highway to an off-ramp. The larger roads eventually fed to smaller ones. As they got further removed from the big city, the paths turned to dirt ones, and the ride became much more bumpy. \n\nRalph and his mother had to hold on tightly since the vehicle's shocks were poorly designed. His parents didn't keep the car maintained, and the radio gave out before long. Each time it took a turn, the tires spun out ever so slightly. Fortunately, the woman had driven the roads before and was able to manage and keep the car under control. Even still, it didn't stop her son from being nervous, who continued to cling to the seat for safety.\n\nThey arrived just in time for the engine to sputter out. The car slowed down to a complete stop just inside the gates of the large ranch. The engine sputtered up with smoke, and the kitten's mother got up carefully. She looked at one of the readings on the dashboard, and it seemed the water had run dry. She was glad it wasn't something more serious, but knew it could have gotten much worse. The sound of the sudden pop in the engine attracted the attention of a nearby boy.\n\nRalph looked out the window as a young dog boy approached the car. The two of them eyed each other briefly. The cub looked no older than Ralph was. Wearing not but overalls and a simple straw hat. Chewing on some straw, he made his way over to the car to see if they needed help.\n\n\"Howdy, y'all. Needing some help?\" The cub's fur was dirty with mud and slicked back with beads of sweat.\n\n The other boy's mother turned her head over towards him. \"Could you get Frank for me?\"\n\n\"Certainly, ma'am.\" The dog tipped his hat to her and went on his way to collect the ranch head.\n\nIt was a few minutes before he returned. Frank was a bulky tabby cat who wore a long-sleeved grey t-shirt underneath rather worn overalls. Unlike the boy, he was wearing some boots that seemed rather beat up. The tip of which was completely torn, and the largest of his toes could be seen through it. In his mouth, he smoked on a hempen pipe but wore no hat. The skin underneath his fur was tanned and wrinkled from generations of sun damage.\n\nThe kitten watched as he approached the car. The man was far larger than his father. His arms were thick, and his shoulders were broad. The tabby's eye was grayed out from being blinded during his time in the military.\n\n\"Ay, Cheryl. Yer car giving out on ya again?\" The large cat popped open the hood to look at it.\n\nShe got out of the car. \"Yeah, Frank. I forgot to fill the water in the coolant tank before we came over.\"\n\n\"Ya' might need a new engine. She looks like she's cooked it.\" Frank peered over the hood and noticed the boy in the front seat.\n\nThe boy's uncle moved around the car to the side of it to get a better look at him.\"Is this yer boy?\"\n\n\"Yes. This is Ralph. Say Hello, Ralphy.\" She noticed he still hadn't gotten out of the car despite how hot it was getting inside of it.\n\nThe kitten stammered ever so slightly. \"H...hi?\"\n\n\"Ees a small one. I'll fix 'em right up. Baxter, take the city boy to 'is quarters and get 'em settled in.\" The man motioned to the dog boy.\n\nThe puppy opened the door for the cat. Ralph wasn't sure what to think of the gesture. He'd never had anyone open the door to him. Slowly, he got up and stepped outside the car. Standing upright next to the dog, he realized how much bigger he was. Baxter had a few centimeters on him and was much more stout in his build. The kitten put his leather knapsack around his shoulder, still seeming uncertain about his new situation.\n\n\"Come right dis way.\" The dog motioned for the smaller cub to follow him.\n\nThe two of them began to walk through the outer fields. Ralph's mother hadn't made it very far before the car broke down. The outer fields had several fences where some livestock grazed within. The kitten could see some cows, donkeys, and chickens frolicking about. A horse raced by them with the woman of the house riding on its back. Baxter waved to her, but she did not notice them and kept on her way.\n\nSoon, they passed through the main barn. Ralph looked to both sides, where some stalls had been situated. In some of them, a few pigs wandered about, while in others, there were some goats. The whole of it smelt of the stench of waste, and the cat couldn't help but curl his nose as he tried to block it out. It did very little good for him, as the odor was so overwhelming that he started to breathe through his mouth instead.\n\nContinuing through it, they exited out the rear. Just in front of them, Ralph could see the home. A larger two-story estate with a small set of stairs leading up to it. The building itself was built up from a foundation of bricks, with the top floor constructed from whitewashed plywood. At the top of it, a chimney billowed with smoke, and the rounded roof was different from the angular ones he was used to seeing in the big city.\n\nBaxter led him through the front door into the home itself. In the living room, there was a large furnace that was smoldering but didn't seem lit. At the center of it is a woven fabric coach with some springs showing through one of its cushions. The whole of it seemed ripped and torn, and even the footrest in front of it was in better shape. They continued through the living room toward the back of the house.\n\nEventually, they arrived in a small room. The dog motioned for him to come in, and Ralph looked around again. The wallpaper was worn, and some of it was peeling. A singular bed lay in the corner with recently folded sheets. A rocking chair sat idle in the corner by the only window in it. Light streamed through it onto the bed nearby. Just underneath it, a porcelain vase with flowers in it gave the room a somewhat floral smell.\n\n\"Dis is yer room. Make yerself at home. I'll be back to show ya around. Don't be dawdling.\" The dog had been told by Frank that he was to train the newcomer and to get him acclimated.\n\nRalph set his bag down on the bed. Touching it, the mattress seemed to be hard. It was rather hot inside, so he decided to open the window, hoping it would help with a breeze. It took some effort for him to shove the thing open, but eventually, it popped backward. Outside, he could see behind the house. A large open field with another small fenced-in area. The area that was blocked off had some hedges and barricades set up. It seemed that the woman of the house was into showboating her horse.\n\nThe kitten sat down on the side of the bed. Unlike the one at home, it had no bounce to it. Already, he was dreading being there, and with each passing second, he was feeling increasingly homesick. Forgetting all about his stuff, he quickly rushed back out of the room and through the house. Traveling through it and back the way he came. But by the time he arrived, his mother and her car were nowhere to be seen. \n\nBaxter tapped him on the shoulder. \"I was looking for ya. Don't go wandering 'round, ya might get lost.\"\n\nRalph felt a pit form in his stomach as he was shown back to the house. It had finally dawned on him that he was stuck in the middle of nowhere for two weeks. His only solace was the fact that this other boy happened to be here on the farm. But looking at the dog, he was uncertain if the other cub was friendly as he was putting off. It seemed he had no choice but to trust him. Silently, he sighed to himself and nodded. If he was going to get through this, then he needed help, and Baxter was his only choice. \n\nUnpacking his small bag, the cat placed the clothing his parents had helped him pack. He had only brought one, and it was far from large. A small assortment of casual and formal wear lay strewn in front of him. He picked up all of it in a clump and stashed it in a nearby dresser. The kitten wasn't worried about it getting wrinkled and didn't care much to organize them. It didn't take him long to finish before his bag was emptied, and he threw it to the side wall of the room.\n\nHe sat down on the bed, feeling a bit lost. Normally, he would play with his toys, but his parents had forbidden him to bring anything on his trip to his uncle's. Ralph felt bored and aimless as he twiddled his fingers in his lap. The kitten decided to walk around the house a bit since he had nothing else to do. Besides, he didn't know how long it would be before Baxter showed up, and he figured it was better than nothing.\n\nJust as he exited the room, his uncle Frank walked right past him. \"What ya doing here, city boy? Ain't ya supposed to be with Baxter?\"\n\n\"Baxter left me alone to get packed.\" Ralph said, seeming a bit nervous around the much larger male.\n\nThe tabby cat shook his head and pointed out the front door.. \"Get yer fanny outside or I'll have yer hide.\"\n\nRalph looked at him briefly. The tabby cat's face was stern, and his body did not show any signs that he was joking. The young kitten had never been used to strict discipline or rules before. His parents had always been flexible with him. His uncle continued to stare at him before making a single step forward.\n\nFrank shoved him outside the door. \"When I say get, ya get. Now go find Baxter.\"\n\nNow finding himself outside, the young cat looked beyond him. The dog boy was just over by a large bale of hay. Pushing a cylindrical tied roll of it through the yard. It didn't seem like he was having any difficulty managing the load. Ralph began walking over towards him. He had no idea what to do with himself, and already he didn't want to incur his uncle's wraith further than he already had. The kitten walked over towards where the other boy was working.\n\n\"Do you need any help?\" He asked simply, even though it was clear Baxter was capable of it himself.\n\nStopping what he was doing, the dog looked over at him. \"Y'er done?\"\n\n\"Yeah, I unpacked all my stuff. What did you want me to do?\" Ralph still had no clue what farm life involved.\n\nBaxter looked up and down at the smaller boy. \"Let's show ya around 'ere then we'll find something fer ya to help Mr. Frank with.\"\n\nNodding, the cat began to follow behind the other boy. Baxter took him around the farm, showing him first to the livestock stables and granary. Both of them smelled quite foul, and Ralph couldn't help but pinch his nose as they went through it. The inside of both buildings was worn down and ragged. Many of the wooden planks on the wall have lost their color, and the wood grain has cracked considerably. A few of the stables had animals in them, but most of them were outside grazing instead.\n\nMoving on, they continued to the storage silos and supply rooms. Ralph looked at the various tools along the walls. Hay forks, hoes, rakes, sickles, and many other aids lined the side of it. A singular old tractor sat inactive with its hood popped from a recent attempt at maintenance. Going past it, it smelled like gasoline mixed with some recently cut grass nearby. Looking at it, the cat couldn't help but want to take a ride on the tractor sometime in the future.\n\nThe final stop for the two boys was a refinery. Inside were various distilling flats connected to a cole water vat. An unlit stone furnace lay at the central part of it with a filtration still fed by cold water that fed into it through a wooden intake line. Ralph had never seen such a thing, but little did he know his extended family was involved in moonshining. An illicit activity that in the city would easily have been caught, but out where they were, it very much went undetected.\n\n\"So that there's the whole place. Let's find ya something to do. Have ya ever ground tumble before?\" Baxter figured such a task would be easy enough for city folk.\n\nThe kitten looked at him, seeming confused. \"Tumble? What is tumble?\"\n\n\"Ah, right. Come wit' me then.\" The dog motioned for him to follow yet again.\n\nThey walked back toward one of the supply rooms. Within, there were various crops placed in all sorts of containers. Next to it was some unfinished product, including some vegetables that hadn't been sorted or cleaned yet. Several barrels were nearby, and most of their lids were off. Just next to them was a spinning wheel that was connected to some tumbleweeds. The large bushels of brush took up almost the entire corner.\n\n\"This here be tumbleweed. Mr. Frank likes to use it as a tinder fer fire. Ya need to grind it down and break it into usable fuel.\" The bigger boy walked over to where the spinner was.\n\nThe device was a bike retrofitted from an older loom. The farmer's loom was thicker than a tailor's, with its intake feeds wide enough to accommodate thicker and more wiry material. Ralph watched the dog as he began pedalling on it, and the tumbleweed started to feed through it. As it did, it entered through a grinder that refined it into scraps of tinder, emptying the scraps of the stuff into a small basket kept underneath a wooden exit ramp.\n\n\"Simple enough, ay?\" The dog looked back at the other boy to make sure he had watched him.\n\nRalph nodded. The task seemed no more difficult than the bike he rode at home. He waited for Baxter to get off the loom and then took his place on it. Awkwardly, he stepped onto it. The pedals and seat were set higher. A simple readjustment followed from his new so-called friend, causing the seat to snap downward and the pedals to lower as well. A much more natural position for the boy who now took his spot on the loom.\n\nBaxter nodded at him. \"Good. Make several baskets of tinder. Mr. Frank will be pleased if ya can accomplish this fer 'im. \"Think ya can manage?\"\n\n\"I think so, yeah.\" The kitten started pedaling, and the loom began to feed more of the tumbleweed into the system.\n\nWith that, the dog boy was gone. Baxter had other things to take care of. Frank had given him more than he could handle, which was more often the case than not. Ralph pedaled aimlessly for a bit. It was somewhat hot inside the storage silo with very little air flowing through it. Eventually, he got up to prop open one of the doors. He figured it wouldn't be much better than before, but hoped it was better than nothing.\n\nRalph was left alone for a good few hours. He kept at it the entire time, only stopping a few times to get a quick rest. Working up quite the sweat as the beads of it dripped down from his forehead. It was both tedious and taxing, but with every basket he filled, the boy felt a strange sense of accomplishment. Feeling like he was useful and had a purpose. It was something he had never experienced at home since he had always been treated like a cub. This was his first true responsibility.\n\nBaxter returned sometime later through the open door to the silo. The dog boy had taken his shirt off and was holding it in his hand. Ralph's eyes turned towards the sight of the other boy, which caused his whole body to stop what he was doing. The bigger cub didn't comment on the odd, fixated stare from the other boy and seemed pleased that his charge was still on the loom when he got back. Looking next to Ralph, he saw four full baskets of tinder. It was a bit more than he expected, but far less than he could have accomplished himself.\n\n\"Ya did good, it's time for yer meal. Bring a basket inside the living quarters, and I'll fetch the others.\" The dog took hold of three of the baskets with ease.\n\nGrabbing one basket, the smaller boy waited for his new friend to grab the rest. Watching him closely, Ralph's eyes lingered on the shirtless boy perhaps longer than they should have. Following in behind him once they were all taken care of. Outside, Ralph could see things were darker now. The sun was still out but just beginning to set. Only the crimson rays over the horizon provided any illumination. Much of\n the surrounding area of the ranch had gone dark. He continued behind the dog, who took him back to the\n home.\n\nOnce inside, Ralph was surprised to see that much of the interior of it was lit by candlelight. Only a few kerosene lanterns were lit, each of them burning from a wick that flickered within. The smell of it was pungent and made him wrinkle his nose a bit. Baxter led him to the area by the furnace. Just next to it was a small crate that he opened. Holding it open, the dog motioned for him to place the tinder inside.\n\nRalph put the tinder inside the box and dusted himself off. Some of the residue created by his grinding of the tumbleweed had stuck to his shirt. The young kitten could smell something as the aroma of whatever it was tickled his nose. Motioning for him to follow him once again, Baxter led him into the kitchen. They proceeded past the living room and into the area just beyond it. Inside, they found Frank preparing a meal.\n\nThe kitchen was much larger than Ralph had expected. A medium-sized table sat at the center of it with a red and white plaid tablecloth laid over it. The older male in the back was working over a steaming crock pot, and vapors fumed out of it as he shielded himself from the heat. Next to him was a cutting station with several tops of various cut vegetables and strips of fat cut from some freshly slain game.\n\nBaxter spoke softly to him but did not approach. \"Mr. Frank, do ya need any help?\"\n\n\"Nah, boy. Ya did enough today. How did the city boy do?\" The tabby cat did not distract himself from his current duty.\n\nThe dog shrugged and sat down at the table. \"He did fine enough. Managed to tarry some tinder.\"\n\n\"Well, enough. Yer gonna have to show him the ropes in the morn.\" Frank started pouring the soup from the pot into a few bowls.\n\nThe younger male nodded. \"Of course, Mr. Frank.\"\n\nRalph sat down next to the bigger boy, his eyes occasionally drifted over towards his shirtless body. The larger dog paid him no attention as both of them waited patiently for the meal to be served. Placing bowls in front of them with small jars of milk. The cat hadn't had a drink served in jars before and thought it was a bit strange. Each of the bowls had wooden spoons dipped inside them for the boys to help themselves.\n\n\"Eat up, boys. Ya' got a big day in the morn.\" Frank said before finally joining.\n\nThe kitten could smell the soup as the aromatic aroma of it emanated from the bowl below. He couldn't help but be hungry and dug in without delay. The meal was hearty and savory. It was a vegetable-based soup mixed with what tasted like beef. The bowl was so large that he didn't finish it. Baxter was more than able to finish his meal and looked over at the smaller boy with a hint of curiosity about him.\n\n\"Yer not gonna finish it?\" Baxter asked simply before wiping his lips with a cloth napkin.\n\nThe kitten shook his head. \"N..no? I'm full.\"\n\n\"Suit yerself. More for me then.\" The dog didn't bother to ask and took the bowl to finish it off.\n\nThe rest of the meal was quiet except for the occasional tapping of silverware against the bowl. Ralph sipped on the milk and waited for everyone to finish before getting up.\n\n\"What do ya think yer doing, city boy? Collect the dishes and wash 'em.\" Frank said with a disgruntled look on his face.\n\nTurning around, Ralph looked at him, seeming confused. He had never been asked to do the dishes before. He had never been trusted with anything by his parents. It was another reminder that his situation was treated very differently here. He stood there silently, seeming to be unsure of himself again. The older cat rolled his eyes.\n\n\"Aint'cha cleaned dishes before, city boy?\" The older cat put his hands on his waist.\n\nRalph shook his head gently. \"Um...no?\"\n\n\"Yer' helpless ya know that? Baxter, can ya help the city boy with it?\" Frank didn't want to burden him further but had little other choice.\n\nSlowly getting up, the dog nodded. \"Yes, Mr. Frank.\"\n\n\"Thank ya kindly, boy. Now get to it.\" The man made his way out of the kitchen.\n\nBaxter walked over toward the sink and motioned for the other boy to join him. \"Come over here.\"\n\nThe smaller cub said nothing and made his way over toward him. His new friend showed him how to wash the dishes. Ralph watched him closely, his eyes occasionally drifting from the task up to the cub's shirtless body. A simple matter of scrubbing each of the plates, pots, utensils, and other cooking wares with a soaped-up sponge. Making sure that each of them was rid of as much grime as possible. Drying them with a rag and then shelving them on a wooden rack to be further aired out. Ralph was able to pick up the task fairly easily and was able to manage it without much difficulty.\n\n'Alright, we're done. I'm hittin' the hay. I'll get with ya in the morning and we'll get an early start to the day. I suggest ya get some shut-eye, ay.\" The bigger boy tipped his hat and finally took it off before leaving the kitchen.\n\nRalph turned around and made his way back out of the kitchen. Inside the living room, he could hear the radio playing. Peering over the beaten-up sofa, he saw Frank with his paws propped up, reading the newspaper. Despite the inside of the home being poorly illuminated, it didn't seem like he had any issue reading the news. The kitten said nothing out of fear of angering him further and instead made his way back to his room.\n\nFinding his room now completely dark, he fumbled around a bit. Only a single candle and the moonlight from outside peered within. He looked around briefly and saw no other candles he could light. He saw no switches, so he assumed that the place was too rural to have electricity. The cub looked around for any signs of a bathroom and saw no such thing in the room, so he decided to step back out in the living room and ask Frank.\n\n\"Uncle Frank, where is the bathroom?\" He asked in a hushed tone, still feeling uncertain around the older male.\n\nThe tabby cat didn't take his eyes off the newspaper. \"Dere's an outhouse behind the house. It has a washroom connected to it.\"\n\n\"Uh, what about the towels?\" Ralph walked closer to the sofa where his uncle was relaxing.\n\nFrank sighed. \"I keep 'em hung over the washroom door. Ya can use Baxter's. Make sure not to run the water long, as we all have to use it.\"\n\nDeciding not to press the issue any further, Ralph stepped back into his room to grab a change of clothes. Grabbing his pajamas and then padding back through the house and out the front door. Pressing his hand around the outside of it. Outside was only lit by the fully risen moon in tandem with what little illumination filtered from within. Slowly, he made his way around the house until he was at the rear of it.\n\nJust behind it, he could see a small shack with a moon engraved on the front of it. Just next to it was a fenced-in area with swinging doors leading into each of them. He continued walking toward the outhouse and gently opened the door. Within was nothing but a wooden seat, cushioned only by a small padding around a central hole. The inside of it smelled of remnants of foul odors, and he pinched his nose. Relieving himself, he couldn't help but want to be home even more.\n\nWhen he had taken care of business, he stepped back out of the outhouse and into the adjoining washroom. A small closed-in area with a stone bathtub and matching sink basin. Connected to both of them were some old pipes that poured water into them. Little did the kitten realize that all of the water from the farm came from a nearby well that they had to replenish on occasion. \n\nRalph stripped off his clothing and placed it on the counter next to the stone basin. His body shivered from the slightly chilled temperature, but he eased himself into the bath. Turning on the spicket, the thing squeaked before a weak stream of water poured out from it. He sat in the stone tub for some time as it slowly filled. The water was cold and took a few moments before his body adjusted.\n\nThe kitten went through his usual hygiene routine. Only a single bar of soap had been provided, which he ended up using on his body. It was far from a comfortable position for him, but there was very little he could do about it. When he was done, he felt around the bottom of it and pulled the plug just underneath his paws. Slowly, the water began pouring out, and he got out to dry himself and change back into his pajamas.\n\nMaking his way back to the house, he found that Frank was no longer in the front room. The radio had been turned off, and only the candles nearby showed any movement. He assumed that his uncle had gone to sleep and decided it was time for him to turn in as well. The kitten padded back towards his room. Yawning and stretching, the fatigue from the day finally hit him. He laid out the sheets on the bed and pulled a blanket over them to make it more comfortable.\n\nSliding onto it, the young cub tried to get comfortable. The mattress was far from soft, a far cry from what he was used to back at home. He tossed and turned a bit, back and forth. Not bothering to turn off the only light in his room. Even with it on, it was plenty dark for him to sleep. It took him a good amount of time before his body and mind finally submitted to fatigue. Spending a long, restful night in the realm of dreams.\n\nThat night, he was visited by a strange dream. Thoughts of Baxter filled his mind. The recurring sight of the dog boy shirtless revisited him repeatedly. One even where the other boy came into his room in the same state of undress. Every time he did so, Ralph found himself increasingly interested in him. He didn't know why, but there was something different about him. Reaching out, the kitten tried touching him, only for the vision to be abruptly interrupted by the other cub waking him up.\n\n***********************************************************************************\n\nThe next morning arrived along with the shrill crow of the farm's rooster. The bird did\n not stop its call, but Ralph was much too deep a sleeper for it to bother him. It wasn't Baxter who made his way\n into the other boy's room and abruptly shook the smaller boy in his bed.\n\n\"Get up. It's time fer chores.\" The bigger cub said with his ever-vigilant gaze remaining over the other to make sure he got up.\n\nRalph groaned as he slowly roused. \"Just a little bit longer?\"\n\n\"No. Get up before Mr. Frank finds out yer in bed.\" The dog reminded him of the ever-present overlord.\n\nThe kitten eased himself into the bed. \"Fine, why do you keep calling him Mr. Frank anyway. Isn't he your dad?\"\n\n\"Har har, very funny. Mr. Frank is not my pa. I just help here as a farm hand. I see my parents on weekends.\" The dog once again shook him to make sure he got up.\n\nBaxter chuckled at the smaller boy as he got out from underneath the sheets. The pajamas he had on had some cartoony designs that resembled Felix the Cat. His mother had embroidered the things with him by hand as it was the cub's favorite. While he didn't have access to a television at home, he had seen it while over at a friend's. Even going as far as to visit the friend every Saturday when the new episode was shown.\n\n\"What's so funny?\" The smaller boy folded his arms defensively.\n\nBaxter playfully slapped him on the back. \"Nothin'. Get changed and let's go get breakfast. I'll meet ya in the kitchen.\"\n\nThe kitten nodded and waited as his friend exited the room. Changing from his pajamas into his street clothes. Simple knee-length denim jeans, a plaid shirt, and leather shoes. Putting on his page boy's flat cap over his head before finally heading out and making his way back into the kitchen. He could smell something being cooked, but he wasn't sure what it was. Stepping inside, he found Frank was pouring out some freshly warmed up oatmeal, grains, and fruit.\n\n\"Eat up, city boy. You and Baxter got work ta do.\" The older male pointed a wooden spoon at him.\n\nRalph nodded at him but said nothing and took a seat next to the dog, who was already at the table. His uncle soon left the two of them alone in the room. Baxter brought the bowl up to his snout and began sipping from it. He was surprised that he didn't use a spoon instead, but didn't mention it. Helping himself to dive into the meal, he had to blow off some steam. It was thick and brothy but hit the spot all the same.\n\nPeeling into a grapefruit, Baxter began to talk to him. \"I'm gonna show ya how to clean the stables today.\"\n\n\"That sounds disgusting, I don't wanna do that.\" The younger cat was certain it would smell bad and likely be messy.\n\nBaxter scowled at him. \"You don't have a choice. Yer a greenhorn, you'll do what I tell ya to or I'll tell Mr. Frank.\"\n\n\"But isn't there anything else I can do?\" Ralph badly wanted to get out of this task.\n\nThe dog tapped his finger on the table expectantly, but it was obvious he wasn't taking no for an answer. \n\n\"Fine.\" The kitten knew he had no other choice in the matter.\n\nGetting up, the bigger cub said nothing. Baxter was annoyed by his antics. He had grown up, always doing whatever he was told. The act of defiance was not something he took lightly. \n\n\"Clean the dishes and meet me outside. I'm gonna grab some tools.\" With that, the dog boy was gone.\n\nRalph was once again left alone with his thoughts. He felt a bit guilty that he had upset his new friend. Baxter had been helpful to him so far since his arrival on the farm. Already in his mind, he wanted to apologize and make up for it. After all, he wanted Baxter to like him. A task for another time, he told himself. Relenting, he got up and started to clean up the dishes in the same manner as he had the previous night. Scrubbing each of the bowls and cups until they were clean.\n\nWhen he was done, he stepped back through the living room. Outside, he was struck by the immediate dry humidity of the climate. He looked around for signs of Baxter. Spotting the dog over by a barrel outside of one of the barns. He seemed to be pulling out some rakes. Making his way over to him, the smaller cat looked at the dog, who still hadn't noticed him just yet. Ralph stared at the boy, recalling some semblance of his dream, but soon snapped himself out of it.\n\n\"Sorry if I was being difficult earlier. I didn't mean to upset you.\" Ralph scratched the back of his head.\n\nThe bigger cub arched his eyebrow. \"It's kay. Take a rake, we need to rake up the slop.\"\n\nLooking over to the side of the barn, he saw several iron-clad rakes. Each of them had several teeth and was quite rusted over. He grabbed one of them and brought it over to where Baxter was already shuffling together some mucky grime. He watched the other cub tarry away. With each stroke of the dog piled up more of the slop into a single pile. Some of it slipped through the rake's teeth, and he had to repeat it a few times over.\n\n\"Well, what're ya waiting for. Get to it.\" Baxter did not like to waste time.\n\nThe urging from the other cub was more than enough for him to get underway. Ralph started to rake away with the large tool. The thing was a bit big for him, with the arm of it being designed for larger adults. Having to angle it at a lesser slope so that the thing dragged against the floor at a more appropriate slant. The slop was sticky, and much of it slipped through the teeth of the rake. It seemed to be much more difficult than he realized.\n\n\"How do you get it to not go through the rake?\" The kitten felt silly for not knowing whatever technique his friend was using.\n\nThe bigger boy chuckled. \"Dig yer rake into the ground so that there isn't as much space.\"\n\nRalph repeated the process. The second time, he was able to pile up much more slop than the first. Doing so again and again with increasing efficiency, the more he got the hang of it. The two of them continued to work at it. Neither said much, but occasionally the cat looked over to his friend, who still was paying him very little mind. In his mind, he wanted nothing more than to impress Baxter, but he didn't know how to do it.\n\nThey finished after a little over an hour. A small pile of slop had collected in the corner. Fortunately, the grime didn't smell badly, and Ralph wasn't bothered by it. Baxter placed his rake back along the wall, turning his gaze to the other cub.\n\n\"A'right, we need to take care of the animals. Would ya like to feed 'em horses?\" The bigger boy pointed over to the stalls in the barn nearest to them.\n\nNodding, he smiled at him. \"Yeah, alright. What do they eat?\"\n\n\"There be oat an' hay in the silo, just feed 'em that.\" Baxter walked away, clearly having no intention of showing him that.\n\nUnderstanding what he needed to do, Ralph walked towards the barn next door. Briefly, he looked back towards Baxter. Stopping in his tracks, the kitten stared at his friend for several seconds. Not realizing he was even staring, he looked for several moments. Fortunately, the other cub was too busy to catch him. Ralph just stood there for several moments until a loud noise jolted him from his semi-dazed state.\n\nHe looked around until he saw behind him that a silo had burst. The store from within was now leaking out. A panicked Frank was already on his way over, and Ralph slipped away, wanting no part of being blamed. The kitten made his way toward the horse barn. Stepping in, his nose curled at the foul smell. A mixture of waste, other by-products, and hay. Pinching his nose, he stepped into the barn.\n\nLooking on both sides of him, he saw that many of the horses were out of their stables. Only two of them were currently idly standing around. The ones that were there were older, with glazed-over eyes and some elastic coverings over their aged joints. Little did he realize that older animals were a rarity in agriculture. Frank did not believe in euthanizing animals and kept them around even after they had outlived their usefulness.\n\nRalph saw a silo with the word \"Feed\" taped over it. He assumed this was what he needed to gather for the animals and walked over towards it. As he approached it, he realized the silo had no opening or spout. Examining it a moment, he panned his hand over it to search for a way to open. It seemed that none of the panels budged as he tried to slide each of them with light pressure. Repeating the same on the backside, he found himself at a loss for what to do.\n\nStopping what he was doing, Ralph looked back at the other stable. Baxter was nowhere to be seen, and he wasn't about to ask Frank for help. He knew he was on his own and had to figure out how it worked. Kneeling, he looked underneath it. A small rusted panel sat on the underbelly of it, and it seemed more worn than the rest of it. Gently touching it, the thing slid off with ease, and hay poured out onto the floor.\n\nThe kitten panicked as a small pile of it collected beneath. In a frenzy, he stopped holding his nose, and quickly he shoved the panel in place, and the hay no longer flowed freely. Once again, the foul odor of the barn invaded his nose as his nostrils curled. Ralph choked a moment, but he realized it would be easier if he just put up with it, so he could do the job he had been assigned. Picking some of it up, he began to transfer it to each of the long troughs that lined the front of each of the horse stables. \n\nThe task was simple enough, and he was able to fill all of the feeders with very little issue. Only dropping some of the hay on the ground. Sweeping it up after with a broom back near the silo where it had been stored previously. Ralph looked back at what he had done, feeling proud of it. The older horses were already snacking away at the hay, and he considered what to do next. After a brief moment of thinking about it, he decided that he would look for the other boy.\n\nStepping back out of the horse stables, he poked his head in the adjoining one where Baxter had previously been. The barn was empty, and the only signs of him were the rakes and piles of slop they had piled together before. Continuing through it, he made his way to the other side. In front of the house, he saw Frank, who had a disgruntled look on his face. Ralph kept quiet as he returned the way he came and exited out the back side of it.\n\nJust behind the barn was the silo that had blown its top earlier. Ralph walked over towards it and saw an unfamiliar liquid on the ground. The vicious black fluid didn't have much smell to it, and it was everywhere. Looking around, he still saw no signs of Baxter and contemplated his actions. The silo was still leaking slightly near a nozzle, with some of the fluid dripping after it. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a single piece of gum and began chewing on it.\n\nRalph applied the gum to the end of the nozzle, easily plugging it up. Whatever remained of the fluid inside the silo seemed safe for the time being.\n\n\"What're ya doing, city boy?\" Frank's annoyed tone was unmistakable.\n\nThe kitten backed away from the silo. \"Trying to fix the silo.\"\n\n\"It's too late fer that now. Get to the fields and help harvest.\" The older cat shoved him out of the way.\n\nThe boy scowled at him as he walked away, very much feeling underappreciated. Not having any intention of making his discontent known, Ralph walked away. Hearing the sound of a voice calling to him.\n\n\"Get over here.\" Baxter yelled to him from atop a horse-drawn tractor.\n\nRalph panned his gaze over towards the nearby field. Within the fences around it, he saw the other boy sitting in the seat of the tractor. Wanting to be as far away from Frank as possible, the kitten made his way to the field. Baxter got off the horse-drawn tractor and let the reins down on the saddle. The dog ran a brush across the horse's mane as he waited for the other boy. \n\n\"I was looking fer ya.\" The dog said with a slightly annoyed tone.\n\nThe smaller cub rubbed the back of his head. \"Sorry, I finished feeding the horses and went to look for you, but I couldn't find you.\"\n\n\"It's fine. Get on the tractor.\" Baxter pointed at the leather saddle sitting on a chestnut colored horse.\n\nRalph looked at him hesitantly. \"I've never ridden a horse before...\"\n\n\"First time fer everything. Get on, I'll help ya.\" The bigger boy positioned himself near the stirrups.\n\nFeeling a bit nervous, Ralph inched closer to the horse. The beast was a lot bigger than he was, and he looked over at Baxter for a bit of reassurance. \n\n\"Well...?\" The other cub had a still look on his face, chewing on a single piece of hay rather loudly.\n\nThe kitten twiddled his fingers and ground them into his hands. \"I'm afraid.\"\n\n\"Of what? Yer impossible. I tell ya what, get on and I'll ride with ya.\" Baxter tapped his feet impatiently.\n\nThat incentive was all that the smaller boy needed to get on the back of the horse. Ralph stepped onto the dog's hand and then onto the stirrup. Awkwardly, he straddled the beast, taking several seconds to get himself situated. The bigger boy mounted just after him, taking no effort to bring himself just behind his friend. Baxter took hold of the reins with his arms looping around the other cub.\n\nFeeling warmer than usual, Ralph relaxed a bit more. Having the other cub so close to him brought a feeling of security to him. He trusted the bigger boy entirely, despite only knowing him for a day now. A strange sense of butterflies floated around in his stomach. The warmth of the other cub's body emanated onto his back, bringing him an even greater sense of comfort. Before long, the dog snapped the reins, and the horse started to pull the tractor again.\n\nThe horse pulled the tractor through the fields. Cutting through various bits of the harvest and slicing through the weeds that had collected in the field. It was slow-moving as the tractor pulled through the dirt, breaking earth with each lateral movement it made. Huffing occasionally, the horse pulled them through the entire field with only the fruits of their labor left behind. The thing came to a stop at the end of its route, neighing a single time as it bucked its head back gently.\n\n\"Let's get 'er done.\" Baxter said as he hopped off the horse and looked up at the smaller cub.\n\nRalph rearranged himself as he got ready to get off the beast. Swiveling himself around, he loses his seat in the process. His body slid down the horse in a hurry, ending up with a muffled thud as his butt hit the ground. Fortunately for him, the fall wasn't very long, and he didn't hurt himself. The dog laughed out loud as he couldn't control himself from the outcome of the slip-up.\n\n\"Yer such a clutz.\" The bigger boy offered his hand to the smaller boy.\n\nLooking up at the bigger boy, the two's eyes met for just a moment. A strange sense of comfort washed over the smaller boy who was still flat on his behind. The only sound exchanged between them was the constant smacking of Baxter's lips as he chewed and sucked on the piece of hay in his mouth. Ralph didn't realize it, but he was staring at the other cub, and neither of them moved for several moments until the dog spoke.\n\n\"Well, Ya gonna get up or just sit there like a lump a' coal?\" The bigger boy was not super patient.\n\nThat reminder was enough to snap the kitten out of it. \"Yeah.\"\n\nFinally, Ralph took the bigger boy's hand and picked himself up. He dusted off his backside, which did very little to clean some of the mud on his back.\n\n\"Ya know them there clothes ain't fit fer a farm.\" Baxter noticed the other cub had ripped a hole in his pants.\n\nThe kitten looked down at where the other cub was gazing. He noticed the small rip, which showed a little bit of his underwear. Immediately, his face flushed up and he covered himself down there, but it was too late. The dog had seen his covered nether regions, even if only for a split second.\n\n\"What? Ya ain't got nothin' I ain't seen before. Let's go get ya fixed up in somethin' more sturdy.\" Baxter motioned for his friend to follow him.\n\nRalph was still feeling embarrassed, but felt a bit better since his friend hadn't said anything about what he had seen. Perhaps he hadn't seen anything, or so he told himself. After all, there was no tear in his underwear. Still, he maintained one of his hands where the tear was. Intent on maintaining whatever little vanity remained. It was little more than peace of mind for him, and Baxter seemed to care very little about what had just happened.\n\nFollowing him back into the house, the dog led him up a thin corridor of stairs. Ralph had not noticed the way up when he had toured the place previously. The stairs were situated in a small corner, and the entrance to them was sealed off by a door that squeaked when they it opened. Proceeding up, Baxter showed him the way up the stairs to an upstairs room which was little more than an attic.\n\nThe cub looked around, just like the room downstairs, this one only had a singular window. The open window gazed outside, and a tattered drape had been tied against a hook. A small mattress had been situated on the ground with no baseboard. The bed was well-kept, and the sheets were freshly made. A singular small nightstand stood alongside it with a picture of the dog boy and his family. It seemed that this was the bigger cub's room.\n\nBefore he questioned it, Baxter stuffed a spare set of overalls into his arms. \"Here, this might be a bit big, but it will have to do.\"\n\n\"Thanks, is that your family?\" Ralph pointed to the picture that had been set nearby.\n\nThe puppy looked over to it. \"Yeah, that's my ma and pa.\"\n\n\"Is the baby they are holding your sister?\" The kitten assumed it was the case since the younger cub was wearing a pink onesie.\n\nThe bigger boy nodded. \"Yeah, now go get changin'. We have things to do and not much time to do them.\"\n\nThe kitten understood and made his way out of the attic and back downstairs. He could hear some noise coming from the kitchen. He assumed it was probably Frank and decided to stay away from it. After all, his uncle had given him very little reason to like him. Ralph headed back to his room. Shedding off his shirt and pulling down his pants, he looked into the seat of them. There was no doubt there was a rip in it, and he was a bit surprised by the size of the hole.\n\nRalph changed into the overalls. They were slightly baggy on him, but he figured he had no choice in the matter. Feeling a little weird since his fur and skin were not quite used to the abrasive fabric of denim against his body. Once he had changed, the kitten headed back the way he came. He didn't look back as he knew that Baxter had likely returned outside since the bigger cub was worried about his responsibilities.\n\nBack outside, he looked around once again. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Frank putting some laundry on a clothes line. Walking away further from him, the cub kept an eye out for the dog boy. He wanted to help Baxter with whatever he was doing. Still feeling silly about what happened earlier, he wanted nothing more than to prove himself to the bigger boy. In his mind, he just needed another chance to do it.\n\nEventually, he found the dog boy working in the fields. He had a wicker basket full of some vegetables. It seemed he was collecting some of the harvest. Ralph watched him work for a moment. A single bead of sweat poured down the bigger cub's forehead. His somewhat dirty fur glistened in the sunlight. The kitten stared at the other boy for a moment until another loud noise snapped him out of it.\n\nThe cat panned his head around to find the source of the nose. A vat of water had ruptured and was leaking water. Ralph decided this was his chance to prove himself. Without a word, he made his way over to where the container was. Upon arriving at it, the cub took a quick look at it. The water vat was a metal container redesigned from a foundry crucible. It was completely rusted over, and one of the layers of rust\n had crumbled, and the iron siding had cracked.\n\nRalph contemplated his options at the moment. He had never worked with metal, so mending it wasn't an option. As he was looking around for something to use, he saw a small sheet of metal. Considering if he could slide it through the top and use it as a sort of a patch. Even if the water was slowly leaking, he didn't want to waste time. Quickly, he grabbed the sheet and looked for a way to reach the top of the vat.\n\nNearby, he found a rack of wood that didn't seem to be used. He pulled it over and proceeded to climb on top of the vat. Reaching his hand inside, he slid the small sheet of metal over the space where the leak was dripping out. It only took him a bit of effort to reach inside and place the sheet where it needed to be.\n\n\"What are ya doing?\" A familiar voice echoed through the iron chamber.\n\nThis caught Ralph off guard, who quickly retracted. Looking up from him below was Baxter. It seemed the dog had come over while he was attempting to fix the leak in the vat.\n\nRalph hopped down from his makeshift stepping stool. \"I was fixing the vat, it sprang a leak.\"\n\n\"It did? I dun see a leak.\" Baxter seemed a bit confused.\n\nRalph cracked a smile as he pointed to the area where the rust had caused the metal to fray. \"It was leaking here. Put your hand against it.\"\n\nThe bigger boy pushed him out of the way and pressed his hand against it. Sure enough, there were droplets of water remaining. Looking beneath him, he saw a puddle. \n\n\"Well, I'll be. Ya sure as heck did. How did ya fix er?\" Baxter was a bit surprised the other cub had managed it without his help.\n\nThe kitten couldn't help but be proud of himself.\"I just slid another sheet of metal behind where it was cracked. It might be temporary, but it will work for now.\"\n\n\"Ah, I see. Now come on, I wanna show ya how to harvest da crops.\" The dog motioned for the other cub to follow him.\n\nRalph stood there stupefied for a moment, thinking to himself. Wasn't he allowed just one moment of glory? Why couldn't Baxter fully appreciate what he did? \n\n\"Wait.\" The smaller boy decided to speak up.\n\nThe bigger cub turned around. \"What? We have things to do, ya know that, right?\"\n\n\"I don't care. Why can't you acknowledge what I tried to do?\" The kitten put his arms to his side, seeming offended.\n\nBaxter cocked an eyebrow at him. \"What? Ya think what you did was difficult? Haha.\"\n\n\"That's not the point. I've been trying my hardest to make things better, but I've been criticized for almost everything I've done. It's not fair.\" Ralph scowled at him.\n\nThe other boy shook his head at him. \"Fair? Yer a greenhorn. How else are ya gonna know any better?\"\n\n\"That might be true, but I'm doing my best. I know I'm new here. I know I can do it if you just show me how. Just give me a chance without criticizing me for once?\" The smaller boy huffed in frustration.\n\nThe dog carefully considered his words. \"So what? I'm being too hard on ya?\"\n\n\"Yes. Can you just please treat me as your equal? I promise to try my best no matter what.\" Ralph puffed out his chest proudly.\n\nBaxter chuckled at him. \"Fine. Now come on, we have crops to harvest.\"\n\nRalph fell in line with the other cub, feeling better now that he stood up for himself. He wasn't sure if things would change, but at least he tried. The dog led him back to the crop fields. Long lines of various vegetables were separated by fences. Several empty wicker baskets sat at the corners, ready to be filled with the various crops within.\n\n\"It's easy enough. Just pluck the greens and put 'em in the basket.\" The dog modeled the action.\n\nThe kitten nodded. He told himself he couldn't possibly mess this up. Still wanting to prove himself to the bigger boy. Ralph wanted nothing more than to be praised by the other cub. This was just the moment he'd been waiting for, or so he told himself. The two of them started to work on harvesting the crops. Picking various things from corn stalks to various types of beans. It was tedious work and became even more taxing as the day pressed on.\n\nThey worked for the next few hours. Stopping only when their stomachs started to growl for lunch. Baxter came over to grab the other boy.\n\n\"Ya got some muck on yer face.\" The dog spat on his finger and cleaned the dirt off his friend's eyelid.\n\nRalph was a bit surprised by the action and blushed slightly. \"Thanks.\"\n\n\"Come on, it's lunch time.\" Baxter put his arm around the smaller cub.\n\nFeeling a bit warm inside, the kitten wasn't about to complain about being close to him. He wasn't sure why it made him feel good about himself, but it did. Ralph couldn't help but notice it was the friendliest Baxter had been towards him since he first arrived. He wasn't about to complain since he was finally getting what he wanted. Now he just needs to continue to prove himself and get on the better side of Baxter.\n\nBack inside, there were no signs of Frank. Baxter and Ralph made their way back to the kitchen. \n\n\"Ya want some chick pea chowder? Mr. Frank makes a mean one.\" It was one of the dog's favorite lunches when he was at the farm.\n\nThe kitten nodded. \"Yeah, sure, I'll try it.\"\n\nThe dog pulled out a glass jar from the icebox. It was frosted over from the condensation created inside the unit. Pouring it into a small crock pot, the cub put it on the stove before lighting up a match. He turned on the gas on low, and a small flame emitted underneath it. Ralph watched his friend make the meal. Baxter was so much more capable than he was. It made him look up to the boy even more than he already did.\n\nThe meal didn't take long to heat up. Baxter hadn't put much of the chowder in the pot. As it cooked, the aroma of it oscillated around the room and made Ralph's stomach churn in anticipation. Another few moments passed, and Baxter covered his hand with an oven mitt before lifting the pot and pouring the contents into two bowls.\n\nThe puppy served up the bowls on the table, sitting next to his friend. \"Eat up. We got lots of work ta do.\"\n\nRalph nodded and looked for a spoon, realizing that none had been provided. He watched the other boy for a moment. The dog didn't even notice that he was watching him as he was sipping from the bowl. It was apparent he drank the soup straight from the bowl, which was something the kitten had never tried before. After a moment of contemplation on whether he should ask for a spoon, he decided to dive.\n\nTouching the bowl, it was hot. Not too hot that it burned him, but it caused him to pause for a moment. Taking hold of it in both of his hands before bringing it to his face. Tipping it in the same manner that he saw the other cub do. Some of the soup dripped from the corners of his maw, but he was able to do it without much difficulty. Wiping his mouth off when he was done.\n\n\"That was good, thanks.\" Ralph had finished his bowl shortly after the other cub.\n\nThe bigger dog smiled at him. \"I'm glad ya liked it. Let's clean up and get back ta work.\"\n\nThe two of them got up one after the other, and Ralph helped his friend to clean the table. Washing out the bowls with a quick rinse and a wipe before leaving them on a rack to dry. Baxter motioned for the kitten to follow him. Making their way out, they passed by Frank, who, as usual, had a scowl on his face. It was apparent that his day was going poorly.\n\nHis uncle said nothing to them as they passed by one another. Ralph was glad there was no exchange as he still thought poorly of his relative. Heading back outside, Baxter led him to the Granary. The granary was a small storage space underneath the farm's central windmill. The large wooden wings spun in a continuous circle above the place.\n\nBaxter led him inside the Granary. Within the windmill's interior, a rafter was crushing grains and hay. A large wooden ramp led from the core of the mechanism to two barrels below. The barrel where the grain was emptying was already getting full. \n\n\"We need ta exchange the barrels before they get full.\" The dog put it simply.\n\nDeciding this was something that he didn't need explained, Ralph looked over for an empty barrel. Several of them were on the side of the facility, with two of them labeled for Grease and Oil. The kitten found an empty one and brought it over to where the grain was being emptied. The flow from the ramp down to the barrel was slow but steady. He figured it wouldn't be a big deal if he dropped some, but wanted to reduce waste.\n\nTrying to move the mostly full barrel took some effort, but he was able to push it back. Lifting the empty one, he quickly exchanged it beneath the catch area. \n\n\"Can I get some help over here? I hurt myself.\" Baxter said from the other side of the granary.\n\nRalph stopped what he was doing and went to help the other boy. He found the dog on the floor, holding his hand against his chest. No blood could be seen, but it was apparent he was injured. \n\n\"Can I see it?\" The kitten said, wanting to help the other cub's situation.\n\nThe bigger boy grimaced and shook his head. \"Nah...it's not that bad. I promise.\"\n\n\"I didn't ask if it was bad. I just want to see it.\" Ralph was determined to help the other boy.\n\nThe cat stared at his friend intently. After a moment of hesitation, the puppy finally stopped holding his wrist. Ralph knelt to get a closer look at the injury. He had sprained his wrist a while back and remembered how it looked. Baxter's wrist looked much the same. There was no doubt it was swollen. Looking around, the cat searched for something to bind it with.\n\nRalph recalled that when he hurt himself, his mother had used a sling to treat the injury. She had shown him how to do it, just in case he had to do it for himself. Nearby, he saw a small sheet of cloth hanging through the window. Tearing the thing down, he returned to his friend's side, who once again was babying the injury.\n\n\"Let go of it. I promise this will help. You just need to\n keep it from moving so it can heal.\" It was a different version of what his mother had told him some months ago.\n\nSlowly, Baxter let go of his injury again. Ralph wrapped the sling around the other boy's arm, successfully cradling it within the folds of the fabric. Looking at him, the bigger boy seems surprised by what he was doing. \n\n\"How did ya know how to do that?\" The dog asked as he felt a bit better with the pressure no longer being applied to his wrist.\n\nRalph shrugged. \"My mom showed me when I hurt myself a few months ago. We need to get you some ice. Let's go back inside.\"\n\n\"But...we need to finish replacing the barrels.\" The bigger boy tried to get up but had some difficulty as his injured hand moved a bit.\n\nThe kitten shook his head. \"I will finish. You need to go inside and rest.\"\n\nStaring at him for a moment, Ralph was steadfast in his intent. Baxter felt vulnerable for the first time in a while, and he didn't like it. Still, he knew he had little choice in the manner. \n\n\"Let me help you up.\" Ralph said as he anchored his head under the other boy's uninjured arm.\n\nUsing the whole of his body strength, the cat helped his friend stand up. Once he was up, Baxter moved himself on his power, but the other boy made sure that he returned to the house to nurse his injury. Ralph walked with him back to the house and explained the situation to Frank. Of course, once what had happened was explained, his uncle decided to allow the other boy to rest for the remainder of the day.\n\nReturning to the granary, Ralph finished what he was doing before. He felt bad for Baxter, but Frank had made him promise to finish most of the other cub's chores. This meant he had to figure things out on his own. Still, he wasn't about to back down from a challenge. After all, he wanted nothing more than to impress the dog boy, and this was his chance.\n\nUncle Frank had given the boy a reduced list of what to do. Two other things he needed to complete by dinner time. To corral the livestock back into their pens for the evening and to feed the animals that hadn't been fed already. Feeding the animals was something Ralph knew he could manage. After all, Baxter had shown him that already, but coraling them was something he'd never done before.\n\nRalph returned to the fields where the livestock were. Horses, sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle were all grazing happily about. Nearby, a single horse was tied up against a fence post. On its back a saddle and around its neck a rein. Hanging on the fence next to it was a lasso. Ralph had listened to countless Western radio shows before, but never did he imagine himself trying to do what he was about to do.\n\nSlowly, he walked to the horse, who paid him no mind. The beast was old and grey, and its mane was unkempt. Using the fence as leverage, he hopped on the back of the horse. Feeling a bit strange without Baxter behind him, he sat there idly for a moment. The horse neighed as it felt the boy's weight atop it. Without a second of hesitation, the beast began to trek forward.\n\nPanic set in his mind as the horse trotted onward. In front of him, some sheep began to run astray. Ralph still had not taken hold of the reins, and yet the beast carried on still. The sheep turned back, running high tail back into the stalls. It was apparent that the horse was going through the motions after doing this so many times in its life.\n\nRalph began to relax as one by one the sheep ran back into the stables. The process seemed so simple, and even the few cows that were out and about began to trot indoors. Suddenly, the horse came to a stop as a bull stared them down. Ralph gazed at the black sheen-coated animal standing right in their way. It stamped its hooves as if standing them down.\n\nThe boy didn't know what to do. Looking at his side, the lasso was there for him to use, but he'd never used it before. The bull snorted at them, digging its feet into the ground. A sudden movement forward, and it started to charge the horse. Ralph knew there was no time to react and quickly grabbed the lasso and looped it around his head. In one fell swoop, he threw the thing right at the bull.\n\nIt was loose enough to land right around the bull's neck. So loose that it continued to drop further below. The horse trotted around it, keeping a safe distance between them and the beast. Yet with that sudden change in direction, the lasso swooped around the bull and fell to its legs. Tangling within them. The best fell to its knees in a frustrated snort.\n\nRalph couldn't believe it...he looked at the bull, who was now subdued before him. \n\nThe cub could hear some clapping. \"Well done...city boy. I'll take care of old Brimace 'ere. Ya finish up, and ya can take a break. It's well deserved.\" \n\nIt was the first time Frank had ever complimented him, and Ralph couldn't help but swell in pride. He knew it was sheer luck and coincidence that he was even able to manage it, but he wasn't about to let his uncle in on his secret. Frank tapped the side of the horse's shoulder that Ralph was riding. Sending the thing trotting once again. Corralling each the rest of the beasts with ease. One by one, the field emptied until it was completely vacant.\n\nRalph returned to the stables where the elderly steed was stationed. The stately horse stall was larger than the rest of them. Its name is engraved in a wood-carved \"Stella\" over its space.\n\n\"Good girl, Stella.\" The cub got off the beast's back, glad to be off it.\n\nRalph pulled a carrot from the nearby food bag and handed it to the old horse. The beast was all too happy to chomp away at it, snorting at him. Moving out of the stall, the boy worked to make sure all of the animals were present. It was simply a matter of checking that they were full. Only one was vacant, and the cat was certain that it had to be the bull.\n\nHe finished up feeding each of them and refreshing the water in the troughs. It was a simple task, but one that took him some time since he was the only one doing it. Working up quite the sweat, he stopped a few times to let himself cool down. By the end of it, he could see the sun was already starting to go down. He figured it was probably time for dinner, so he lit some candles before making his way back indoors.\n\nBack inside the home, he could hear the sound of the radio churning again. Another jazz tune that he didn't recognize played through a static recording on a gramophone. Already, Frank had lit some candles in the home, providing a soft ambiance in the front room and beyond. From the kitchen, Ralph could pick up the sound of a frying pan sizzling. He was certain it was Frank cooking dinner and decided not to check, just in case.\n\nPadding back, the cub headed back through the thin corridor that led upstairs. A soft squeak elicited from the old wood as he took steps up it. Ralph softly opened the door and pushed his way into the attic. Inside, he could hear the muffled sounds of crying. \n\n\"Baxter, are you alright?\" The kitten could make out his silhouette sitting on the bed.\n\nThe other boy's voice cracked as he spoke. \"I'm...fine...\"\n\n\"No, you're not. You're crying. Why are you crying?\" Ralph approached the bed and sat next to the other boy.\n\nThe dog sniffled through his words. \"Mr. Frank wants me to go home early.\"\n\n\"I mean...you are hurt. So why shouldn't you rest and recover?\" The kitten put his arm around the other boy to comfort him.\n\nBaxter shook his head. \"No...I can't. My ma and pa need the money. I can't go home early.\"\n\n\"Did you tell him that? Maybe he will give you a reduced workload or something until you're better.\" The smaller cub's voice was soothing to the other boy.\n\nThe puppy raised his voice. \"Yes, I told him that. He dun care. He wants me to go home early.\"\n\n\"Oh, well...I'll talk to him. I'll convince him. I promise.\" Ralph wanted to sound confident, but he wasn't certain he could convince his uncle.\n\nThe bigger boy turned his head sharply. \"You'd do that for me? Why?\"\n\n\"You're my friend. Besides, you've helped me a lot in learning this farmhand stuff... It's the least I can do.\"\n\nBaxter broke out in tears, clinging to the other boy for a sense of comfort. Wrapping his arms around him, Ralph was all too keen to hold him close. Stroking him softly up and down his back. A sense of warmth began to rise within the smaller cub. That strange feeling of butterflies began rising in his stomach again. Although he didn't understand it, he ignored it as all he wanted to do was make his friend feel better.\n\nThey remained that for several moments. The floating of butterflies was replaced by a sense of comfort and familiarity. Ralph found himself enjoying holding the other boy closer. He didn't want this moment to end, but he knew that Frank would be calling them any minute for dinner. Softly and slowly, he continued to stroke the other cub's back.\n\nFeeling a bit emboldened, Ralph nuzzled his nose into the soft fur of the bigger boy's neck. The sudden touch of his cold and wet nose against Baxter did not make the other boy pull away. He had settled down a bit, almost nestling into the smaller boy's chest. Although he didn't know for sure, the kitten guessed the other boy liked this as much as he did.\n\nBaxter stopped crying before long, yet remained the way he was. The feeling of the kitten's body warmth against his own was comforting. Even going as far as to reach out and grasp Ralph's hand in his own. Their fingers lay in tandem with one another. Eventually, the dog turned his gaze upward, and the two boys' eyes met in an awkward stare.\n\nTheir gazes pierced into one another. The glisten of the candlelight sparkled in each of them. Baxter leaned forward, his face ever closer to the smaller boy's snout. Ralph's heart began to beat faster in his chest. But he did not pull away; he wanted nothing more than to be close to the other boy. The distance closed between them before their lips\n met in a soft embrace. \n\nRalph's face fused a pinkish color beneath his fur, but he did not pull away. Wrapping his arms around him once again, just to hold him closer against him.\n The kiss lasted for several moments before Baxter finally pulled away. His face was still puffy and his eyes red, but no longer was he crying. The kitten softly grazed his hand through the other boy's fur, carressing it through his fingers.\n\nSmiling at him, the puppy seemed more at ease now. That hard exterior he had portrayed all day had melted in a matter of moments. \n\n\"Dinner is ready, boys.\" Frank called them from the lower floor of the home.\n\nThe sudden call snapped the two boys out of it. Finally breaking the space between the two of them. After all, neither of them was certain about how Frank would react to them being close with one another. \n\n\"Come on, let's go eat so 'e don't get suspicious.\" The dog said as he got up.\n\nNodding, Ralph followed him back downstairs. The smell of whatever had been cooked was thick in the air. They made their way into the kitchen, and the table had already been set with plates full of food for both of them. The two cubs sat at the table, next to each other. In front of them, freshly caught fish, sauteed veggies, and mashed potatoes slathered in lemon juice.\n\n\"This looks mighty fine, Mr. Frank. Thanks for making it.\" Baxter intended to keep things cordial despite still being upset about being asked to leave early.\n\nThe older male nodded. \"Of course, child. Do enjoy.\"\n\n\"Uncle Frank, from what Baxter told me, you asked him to go home early. Is that true?\" The kitten wasted no time in getting to what was on his mind.\n\nFrank stared down the younger cat. \"Yeah, boy's injured. What of it?\"\n\n\"I don't want him to go home. He's been helping show me the ropes, and if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have been able to corral all the livestock.\" Ralph looked over at Baxter, who smiled back at him.\n\nHis uncle laughed heartily. \"Is that so? The boy trained ya good, did 'e?\"\n\n\"Yes, I bet he can still work too; he just needs a reduced workload while he's injured.\" The smaller boy felt like he was making progress.\n\nThe bigger male scratched his chin. \"Ah'right. I'll give ya a chance tomorrow, boy. City boy 'ere is gonna help you with yer usual chores.\"\n\n\"Thank you, Mr. Frank. I promise you won't regret it.\" Baxter's tail wagged behind him.\n\nFrank slammed the table with a fork. \"Ya better not..now eat 'fore the food gets cold.\"\n\nThe three of them began eating without delay. Ralph's taste buds tingled as he tasted the rich food. It was savory and somewhat overseasoned with toppings. Regardless, it was still delicious and they were all able to clear their plate. Looking at his place, the smaller boy seemed surprised he had finished it all.\n\n\"Good, now do da' dishes. I need to listen to da' news.\" Frank said before leaving them alone in the kitchen.\n\nBaxter was about to get up before he was stopped by his friend. \"I'll take care of it. Don't worry.\"\n\nHesitating a moment, Baxter nodded before heading back to his room. Ralph busied himself with cleaning the table and doing the dishes. It took him a bit longer than with his friends' help, but he was able to do it without any difficulty. When he finished, the kitten blew out the candle in the kitchen and headed out. Making his way back to his room.\n\nMoonlight peered from the outside to within his chamber. Grabbing a change of clothes, he made his way outside to the outhouse. It was cool out that night, but the sensation of brisk air against his fur and skin felt good. Stripping into his birthday suit, he turned on the spicket and waited a few moments for the water to turn on. Little did he realize that from afar, Baxter was watching him.\n\nThe dog gazed at him through the window for a short time. Distracted by his thoughts of everything that had happened that day. He felt better to be sure, but wasn't sure why he was now finding himself attracted to Ralph. There was no doubt that the cat had brought him comfort in his time of need. He'd never been shown that kind of care before, and already he was wanting more of it.\n\nRalph went through his usual hygiene routine, spending a little bit longer in the bath than he normally would. The somewhat cold water relaxed his stiff and somewhat overworked body. Even going as far as to close his eyes for a moment, only to gaze into the stars. The twinkling skies above him gazed back down upon him with an ever comforting glow.\n\nAfter finishing, he re-dressed himself. Returning inside, I found that Frank was nowhere to be seen. He could hear no radio and was uncertain of where his uncle could be. The cub didn't let it bother him for long before finally retiring to his room. Yawning, he stretched briefly before plopping down on his wire spring mattress.\n\nThe kitten felt good about himself for the first time in a while. He felt like he had not only helped the farm but also his friend. It also seemed that Baxter had taken a liking to him as well. All that hard work had finally paid off in his mind.No longer did he regret coming to the badlands. Instead, he was starting to enjoy himself...for reasons that he couldn't understand.\n\nBack upstairs, Baxter was already in bed. He had taken a bath earlier after his injury, but had not removed the sling that Ralph had made him. Still deep in his thoughts, he was navigating through everything that had changed over those last few days. Things would no doubt be different now. A new challenge to be sure, but one that he was ready to meet with an ever-burning desire.\n\nAnd so...the two boys' friendships had taken on new meaning. Even if they hadn't quite realized it yet, an ever-budding romance was blossoming between them. A bond forged through labor had extended to their personal life. Yet for both of them, it was for the better. A way to improve not just themselves...but each other. A chance to live for someone other than themselves. To live in true solidarity...friendship...and perhaps more.", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Country Comforts by Pent Ghelsburg

Disclaimer: The characters depicted in this work are purely fictional. Any resemblance to persons alive or dead is purely coincidental. They are the original and rightful intellectual property of their creators. I use them with permission and respect. This work involves some suggestive content with underaged characters. You have been warned. \t

An old building stands on the side of a busy street. The incandescent lamps are burning brightly against the fresh puddles of water collecting on the street. Cars line the street, with the most notable being a pristine cherry-shaded V-63 Phaeton. The candy red vehicle is a convertible, a luxury many of the era could not afford. Some bystanders walk by looking at the expensive car. It's one they don't see frequently and one that certainly attracted attention.

It is a quiet street with only the occasional sound of tires tracking through the muddy asphalt-lined streets. Inside the vehicle, a singular fur smoking a cigarette. His face was obscured by the fabric cover of his car. It was dark outside as the poorly lit mixture of tungsten and incandescent filaments didn't provide much illumination. The fog certainly didn't help after the departure of the most recent rainstorm in the area.

The man gets out of his car. The large rat was bulky and broad-shouldered. Wearing a white jazz suit and a matching bowler hat. The hat had a small feather in it, and the rodent continued to puff some as he occasionally inhaled from his cigarette. After a moment, he began to approach a bank. The multiple-story concrete building had several marbled columns at the front of it. Despite being several decades old, it had been renovated recently and had a fresh coat of paint on it.

The rat walks around the back of the building, still seeming quite casual about it. Back through an alleyway that led into a narrower corridor. Old cardboard boxes lined up both sides of it, with many of them soggy and malformed. A single garbage bin lay open with a homeless old hag digging through it. The well-to-do man threw her a coin from his pocket, telling her to get lost. The woman was all too keen to take the money and skittered off back to the streets just beyond them.

He approached the door in the back. A large metallic one with a circular peephole and no lever from the outside. The rat reaches into his pocket to pull out a pocket watch. The solid gold luxury item shines ever so brightly against the only lamp in the area. The man throws a rock at it, causing the light to shatter and the whole alleyway to go dark. Now the only light came from the burning end of his cigarette.

He put his watch back into his pocket, tapping his foot against the paved, raised sidewalk. The sound of his shoes resounded through the area and echoed even beyond. It was almost as if he were waiting for someone. Several moments passed, and the formerly sealed back door broke open. Two slightly smaller mice-men wearing full-length black trench coats and navy blue slacks. Sharing in the same hat, carrying that flourishing feather under a ribbon.

The rats did not seem surprised as they came out. Both of them looked at him eagerly with a rather hurried expression on their faces.

"Let's go before the fuzz arrives." The largest of them said before they skittered out.

One of the mice was carrying a sack on its back. The other toted a Tommy gun that fizzled with smoke at the top. The alarm had just started to go off, causing the three of them to run even faster. Soon, making it back to the rouge colored car. The rat slid over the hood as the sound of police sirens could be heard in the distance. His two compatriots sank into the back of the car, the second of them now grabbing another gun from the floor of the car.

They were off in mere seconds, and the police began their pursuit. A firestorm ensued between the two groups as the rat driver wove in and out of alleyways. His driving was impeccable, keeping a fair distance between himself and the cops. Gunfire continued to ricochet between them, pelting each of the cars and landing several holes in the Phaeton. One of them pierced the gas compartment where the fuel was held.

The rat rammed forward through a barricade of police as one of the bullets caused a tire to burst. Barreling through them, even more bullets poured toward the windshield. One of them finally hit the driver, sending the car spiraling into a nearby wall. The Phaeton careened into the side of the building, sending the whole of it into a blaze. Everyone inside had likely perished. The police followed up soon after, with the press covering the entire deal from beginning to end.

A family sat at their radio listening to the whole thing. The narrator of it made it sound much more grandiose than it actually was. The static-filled broadcast followed with an interview of the city constable. An unwilling public relations officer of the police who had been tasked with identifying the perpetrators. The "Chedara" family, as they were known, was suspected to be involved, a rather notorious crime syndicate that had been wreaking havoc in the big city.

The husband looked at his wife and over at the son. Their young son had heard the entire thing and seemed quite enamored by how it unfolded. Yet to them, this wasn't the first time they had heard of such things. Since the beginning of the dry era, such things have become more common. The "Five Families," as they were called, were the very representation of everything bad with the city.

 The feline family was closely knit, and the man of the house was a deputy at the local precinct. His wife was a waitress at the local cafe. They were an upstanding family and one that was well-known in the community. The boy's father for his history of fighting corruption and his mother for her signature beverages. After all, alcohol was banned, and people had been leaning towards other methods of enjoyment.

That night at dinner, it all came to a head. Ralph had recently had his 12th birthday. The kitten had always been interested in his father's line of work, but had taken a peculiar turn when acts of crime had been made public. He hadn't been asking his old man about policing as often recently. Rather, his questioning focused purely on the "Five Families" and their acts. It was especially bothersome for the father since the police hadn't been able to rein them in just yet.

The three of them were eating a larger meal. The boy's mother had mastered the art of cooking since it was one of her expected jobs both at home and at work. A steamy casserole with a side of rice, with some milk for each of them. The boy's father had just come home from work, still in his navy blue buttoned blazer and missing slacks. A shiny badge with the precinct number was pinned against his chest. He was a quiet man, and the recent events certainly didn't help his willingness to share details of his duties.

"Man, the Chedara were so cool in that getaway. They were like pew pew pew." Ralph sat as he mimicked the action of a gun with one of his paws.

The boy's father stared at him intently. "What? They are criminals. They aren't cool at all. They are the people I work day in and day out to get off our streets."

"But dad, they like juked the police. If it wasn't for the barricade, they wouldn't have gotten away!" The kitten seemed excited at the prospect of them getting away.

The older cat rolled his eyes. "That isn't true. The law always wins. Why are you so enamored with these bozos anyway?"

"They just sound so cool. I wanna be just like them!" The boy said as his eyes glistened in fascination.

This was the final straw for his old man. The elder cat had no tolerance for criminals. He had been trained to put an end to organized crime. Now, to see his son glorifying them made him angry to no end. His wife stared at her husband. The women knew all too well when he lost his cool. The elder cat man sat there steaming in his thoughts. His eyes glazed over and blurred from the frustration inside of him.

The rest of the meal was a quiet one. No further words were exchanged between them. Ralph was sent to his room shortly after without dessert. A punishment that did not sit well in his young mind. He was certain his parents were upset at him, even if he didn't understand why. Spending the rest of the night in his room and busying himself by playing with some of his toys and listening to the radio.

His parents remained in the kitchen. His father had not removed from his spot. Still stewing in his fury, he wasn't great at bottling up his anger. He never took it out on his son, no matter how bad it got. But this crossed the line for him. He needed to do something.

"We need to do something about that boy, Cheryl." He said, finally getting up to clear the table.

She gave him a concerned look. "And just what do you suggest, Gus? He's just a boy. He doesn't know any better."

"This isn't the first time he's fantasized about those crooks. It's gone too far." Her husband turned around to face her after putting down a dish in the sink.

The woman sighed at him. "So what is your suggestion, dear?"

The man thought to himself for a moment. Boarding school was an option, but it was expensive, and there wasn't one that he knew of nearby. Counseling was something he frowned on and didn't think it was suitable for a boy of Ralph's age. He wasn't sure how to handle such a thing, as every method of discipline he had tried had failed so far. Gus walked up behind his wife.

"I am not sure. Do you have any ideas, my sweet?" It was the first time in a while that he'd asked her opinion.

Cheryl was a bit surprised by the change in his disposition. "What if we take him to my Brother's place. My brother runs a tight farm in the badlands. He is ex-military and a very much no-nonsense kind of guy."

"The badlands? Your brother grows crops in that desolate wasteland?" The older male arched his eyebrow at her.

She shook her head at him. "It's not as destitute as you've heard. But I think my brother would help. He is always complaining about the lack of farmhands. Do you want me to call him?"

Gus thought about it for a moment. It wasn't something he had considered before. The notion of his son
 doing hard labor appealed
to him at the moment.

\t"Yes, please. See what you can arrange and if he'd be willing to help us out."  The man went back to cleaning the dishes.

\tCheryl went to make the call, spinning the rotary dial to dial the operator. She then provided the directory digits and a name before being transferred. It was a lengthy process and one that took several minutes before she was finally connected. After several rings, her brother answered. The woman explained the situation, and of course, he was willing to help her out. After a short conversation, they worked out the details of the agreement. Ralph would spend his spring break at his uncle's place.

\tOver the next few days, Gus and Cheryl would share the information with their son. Ralph had never been to his uncle's place before. The moment he found out it was a farm, he was none too happy. Of course, they didn't share the fact that he'd be working there, but even without that information, it didn't sound great. The thought of being away from his toys and his friends for all of spring break sounded boring. Still, even after arguing with them for some time, he had gained no ground. He had no choice. The deal was sealed.

\tThe day finally arrived, spring vacation had come. Normally, Ralph would be excited by the prospect of some time off. But the constant reminder from his parents that he would be going to his uncle's didn't sit well with him. Still, he knew he had no choice in the matter. He awoke in the morning to the sound of one of his parents knocking on his door. His mother told him that they needed to get going.

\tRalph got out of bed. A canvas backpack of his things sat in the corner. Barely enough for a week, and yet he was going there for two. He changed out of his pajamas and into more casual garments. A simple white undershirt with a rolled-up sleeved t-shirt over the top of it. The striped fabric matched the knee-high knickers he had picked for the day. Sliding on a worn-out pair of tan leather loafers over some ankle-length socks. The whole outfit matched, and his mother made sure of it.

Breakfast that morning was more hearty than usual. A bowl of grape nuts mixed with some cornmeal. On the side, a hard-boiled egg and freshly cut grapefruit. His mother had even freshly squeezed him some orange juice to drown it down with. Ralph was quiet and deep within his thoughts. Concerns about what might happen or what his uncle might make him do swirled in his egg. It wasn't until his mother urged him to eat that he finally gave in.

The kitten was slow to eat as anxiety had filled his very being. His mother took notice and was concerned, but the constant stare from her husband reminded her he wouldn't budge. After all, she was a bit of a softy for the boy. Even if it was her suggestion, she didn't feel great about it. Still, there was very little she could do about it for now, other than talk to her brother about it. When he was done, she very quietly told him to grab his things.

Ralph collected his leather knapsack from his room and returned to the living room, where she was waiting. As always, she had a calm smile on her face. Little did he realize his mother was putting on a facade to disguise her discomfort with the situation. The woman said nothing as she opened the door for both of them. Heading outside, they made their way through the front door and into the yard.

The kitten's parents' car was nothing special, an older Kissel 6-45 that had been re-painted a dark maroon color. The hard top on the vehicle folded over it, making it more like a buggie-style cabin than other similar models. They filed into it together and buckled in. Both of them rolled their windows down, and before long, his mother started the engine. The loud car was rickety and shook the entirety of its body.

After a second, the vehicle settled down, and they were underway. His mother turned on the radio to a jazz channel to help drown out the sound of the loud engine. It didn't help much since the speakers weren't very loud and crackled as the car sputtered along. The trip to the "Badlands" was a longer one. Ralph's mother led them down the highway to an off-ramp. The larger roads eventually fed to smaller ones. As they got further removed from the big city, the paths turned to dirt ones, and the ride became much more bumpy.

Ralph and his mother had to hold on tightly since the vehicle's shocks were poorly designed. His parents didn't keep the car maintained, and the radio gave out before long. Each time it took a turn, the tires spun out ever so slightly. Fortunately, the woman had driven the roads before and was able to manage and keep the car under control. Even still, it didn't stop her son from being nervous, who continued to cling to the seat for safety.

They arrived just in time for the engine to sputter out. The car slowed down to a complete stop just inside the gates of the large ranch. The engine sputtered up with smoke, and the kitten's mother got up carefully. She looked at one of the readings on the dashboard, and it seemed the water had run dry. She was glad it wasn't something more serious, but knew it could have gotten much worse. The sound of the sudden pop in the engine attracted the attention of a nearby boy.

Ralph looked out the window as a young dog boy approached the car. The two of them eyed each other briefly. The cub looked no older than Ralph was. Wearing not but overalls and a simple straw hat. Chewing on some straw, he made his way over to the car to see if they needed help.

"Howdy, y'all. Needing some help?" The cub's fur was dirty with mud and slicked back with beads of sweat.

 The other boy's mother turned her head over towards him. "Could you get Frank for me?"

"Certainly, ma'am." The dog tipped his hat to her and went on his way to collect the ranch head.

It was a few minutes before he returned. Frank was a bulky tabby cat who wore a long-sleeved grey t-shirt underneath rather worn overalls. Unlike the boy, he was wearing some boots that seemed rather beat up. The tip of which was completely torn, and the largest of his toes could be seen through it. In his mouth, he smoked on a hempen pipe but wore no hat. The skin underneath his fur was tanned and wrinkled from generations of sun damage.

The kitten watched as he approached the car. The man was far larger than his father. His arms were thick, and his shoulders were broad. The tabby's eye was grayed out from being blinded during his time in the military.

"Ay, Cheryl. Yer car giving out on ya again?" The large cat popped open the hood to look at it.

She got out of the car. "Yeah, Frank. I forgot to fill the water in the coolant tank before we came over."

"Ya' might need a new engine. She looks like she's cooked it." Frank peered over the hood and noticed the boy in the front seat.

The boy's uncle moved around the car to the side of it to get a better look at him."Is this yer boy?"

"Yes. This is Ralph. Say Hello, Ralphy." She noticed he still hadn't gotten out of the car despite how hot it was getting inside of it.

The kitten stammered ever so slightly. "H...hi?"

"Ees a small one. I'll fix 'em right up. Baxter, take the city boy to 'is quarters and get 'em settled in." The man motioned to the dog boy.

The puppy opened the door for the cat. Ralph wasn't sure what to think of the gesture. He'd never had anyone open the door to him. Slowly, he got up and stepped outside the car. Standing upright next to the dog, he realized how much bigger he was. Baxter had a few centimeters on him and was much more stout in his build. The kitten put his leather knapsack around his shoulder, still seeming uncertain about his new situation.

"Come right dis way." The dog motioned for the smaller cub to follow him.

The two of them began to walk through the outer fields. Ralph's mother hadn't made it very far before the car broke down. The outer fields had several fences where some livestock grazed within. The kitten could see some cows, donkeys, and chickens frolicking about. A horse raced by them with the woman of the house riding on its back. Baxter waved to her, but she did not notice them and kept on her way.

Soon, they passed through the main barn. Ralph looked to both sides, where some stalls had been situated. In some of them, a few pigs wandered about, while in others, there were some goats. The whole of it smelt of the stench of waste, and the cat couldn't help but curl his nose as he tried to block it out. It did very little good for him, as the odor was so overwhelming that he started to breathe through his mouth instead.

Continuing through it, they exited out the rear. Just in front of them, Ralph could see the home. A larger two-story estate with a small set of stairs leading up to it. The building itself was built up from a foundation of bricks, with the top floor constructed from whitewashed plywood. At the top of it, a chimney billowed with smoke, and the rounded roof was different from the angular ones he was used to seeing in the big city.

Baxter led him through the front door into the home itself. In the living room, there was a large furnace that was smoldering but didn't seem lit. At the center of it is a woven fabric coach with some springs showing through one of its cushions. The whole of it seemed ripped and torn, and even the footrest in front of it was in better shape. They continued through the living room toward the back of the house.

Eventually, they arrived in a small room. The dog motioned for him to come in, and Ralph looked around again. The wallpaper was worn, and some of it was peeling. A singular bed lay in the corner with recently folded sheets. A rocking chair sat idle in the corner by the only window in it. Light streamed through it onto the bed nearby. Just underneath it, a porcelain vase with flowers in it gave the room a somewhat floral smell.

"Dis is yer room. Make yerself at home. I'll be back to show ya around. Don't be dawdling." The dog had been told by Frank that he was to train the newcomer and to get him acclimated.

Ralph set his bag down on the bed. Touching it, the mattress seemed to be hard. It was rather hot inside, so he decided to open the window, hoping it would help with a breeze. It took some effort for him to shove the thing open, but eventually, it popped backward. Outside, he could see behind the house. A large open field with another small fenced-in area. The area that was blocked off had some hedges and barricades set up. It seemed that the woman of the house was into showboating her horse.

The kitten sat down on the side of the bed. Unlike the one at home, it had no bounce to it. Already, he was dreading being there, and with each passing second, he was feeling increasingly homesick. Forgetting all about his stuff, he quickly rushed back out of the room and through the house. Traveling through it and back the way he came. But by the time he arrived, his mother and her car were nowhere to be seen.

Baxter tapped him on the shoulder. "I was looking for ya. Don't go wandering 'round, ya might get lost."

Ralph felt a pit form in his stomach as he was shown back to the house. It had finally dawned on him that he was stuck in the middle of nowhere for two weeks. His only solace was the fact that this other boy happened to be here on the farm. But looking at the dog, he was uncertain if the other cub was friendly as he was putting off. It seemed he had no choice but to trust him. Silently, he sighed to himself and nodded. If he was going to get through this, then he needed help, and Baxter was his only choice.

Unpacking his small bag, the cat placed the clothing his parents had helped him pack. He had only brought one, and it was far from large. A small assortment of casual and formal wear lay strewn in front of him. He picked up all of it in a clump and stashed it in a nearby dresser. The kitten wasn't worried about it getting wrinkled and didn't care much to organize them. It didn't take him long to finish before his bag was emptied, and he threw it to the side wall of the room.

He sat down on the bed, feeling a bit lost. Normally, he would play with his toys, but his parents had forbidden him to bring anything on his trip to his uncle's. Ralph felt bored and aimless as he twiddled his fingers in his lap. The kitten decided to walk around the house a bit since he had nothing else to do. Besides, he didn't know how long it would be before Baxter showed up, and he figured it was better than nothing.

Just as he exited the room, his uncle Frank walked right past him. "What ya doing here, city boy? Ain't ya supposed to be with Baxter?"

"Baxter left me alone to get packed." Ralph said, seeming a bit nervous around the much larger male.

The tabby cat shook his head and pointed out the front door.. "Get yer fanny outside or I'll have yer hide."

Ralph looked at him briefly. The tabby cat's face was stern, and his body did not show any signs that he was joking. The young kitten had never been used to strict discipline or rules before. His parents had always been flexible with him. His uncle continued to stare at him before making a single step forward.

Frank shoved him outside the door. "When I say get, ya get. Now go find Baxter."

Now finding himself outside, the young cat looked beyond him. The dog boy was just over by a large bale of hay. Pushing a cylindrical tied roll of it through the yard. It didn't seem like he was having any difficulty managing the load.  Ralph began walking over towards him. He had no idea what to do with himself, and already he didn't want to incur his uncle's wraith further than he already had. The kitten walked over towards where the other boy was working.

"Do you need any help?" He asked simply, even though it was clear Baxter was capable of it himself.

Stopping what he was doing, the dog looked over at him. "Y'er done?"

"Yeah, I unpacked all my stuff. What did you want me to do?" Ralph still had no clue what farm life involved.

Baxter looked up and down at the smaller boy. "Let's show ya around 'ere then we'll find something fer ya to help Mr. Frank with."

Nodding, the cat began to follow behind the other boy. Baxter took him around the farm, showing him first to the livestock stables and granary. Both of them smelled quite foul, and Ralph couldn't help but pinch his nose as they went through it. The inside of both buildings was worn down and ragged. Many of the wooden planks on the wall have lost their color, and the wood grain has cracked considerably. A few of the stables had animals in them, but most of them were outside grazing instead.

Moving on, they continued to the storage silos and supply rooms. Ralph looked at the various tools along the walls. Hay forks, hoes, rakes, sickles, and many other aids lined the side of it. A singular old tractor sat inactive with its hood popped from a recent attempt at maintenance. Going past it, it smelled like gasoline mixed with some recently cut grass nearby. Looking at it, the cat couldn't help but want to take a ride on the tractor sometime in the future.

The final stop for the two boys was a refinery. Inside were various distilling flats connected to a cole water vat. An unlit stone furnace lay at the central part of it with a filtration still fed by cold water that fed into it through a wooden intake line.  Ralph had never seen such a thing, but little did he know his extended family was involved in moonshining. An illicit activity that in the city would easily have been caught, but out where they were, it very much went undetected.

"So that there's the whole place. Let's find ya something to do. Have ya ever ground tumble before?" Baxter figured such a task would be easy enough for city folk.

The kitten looked at him, seeming confused. "Tumble? What is tumble?"

"Ah, right. Come wit' me then." The dog motioned for him to follow yet again.

They walked back toward one of the supply rooms. Within, there were various crops placed in all sorts of containers. Next to it was some unfinished product, including some vegetables that hadn't been sorted or cleaned yet. Several barrels were nearby, and most of their lids were off. Just next to them was a spinning wheel that was connected to some tumbleweeds. The large bushels of brush took up almost the entire corner.

"This here be tumbleweed. Mr. Frank likes to use it as a tinder fer fire. Ya need to grind it down and break it into usable fuel."  The bigger boy walked over to where the spinner was.

The device was a bike retrofitted from an older loom. The farmer's loom was thicker than a tailor's, with its intake feeds wide enough to accommodate thicker and more wiry material. Ralph watched the dog as he began pedalling on it, and the tumbleweed started to feed through it. As it did, it entered through a grinder that refined it into scraps of tinder, emptying the scraps of the stuff into a small basket kept underneath a wooden exit ramp.

"Simple enough, ay?" The dog looked back at the other boy to make sure he had watched him.

Ralph nodded. The task seemed no more difficult than the bike he rode at home. He waited for Baxter to get off the loom and then took his place on it. Awkwardly, he stepped onto it. The pedals and seat were set higher. A simple readjustment followed from his new so-called friend, causing the seat to snap downward and the pedals to lower as well. A much more natural position for the boy who now took his spot on the loom.

Baxter nodded at him. "Good. Make several baskets of tinder. Mr. Frank will be pleased if ya can accomplish this fer 'im. "Think ya can manage?"

"I think so, yeah." The kitten started pedaling, and the loom began to feed more of the tumbleweed into the system.

With that, the dog boy was gone. Baxter had other things to take care of. Frank had given him more than he could handle, which was more often the case than not. Ralph pedaled aimlessly for a bit. It was somewhat hot inside the storage silo with very little air flowing through it. Eventually, he got up to prop open one of the doors. He figured it wouldn't be much better than before, but hoped it was better than nothing.

Ralph was left alone for a good few hours. He kept at it the entire time, only stopping a few times to get a quick rest. Working up quite the sweat as the beads of it dripped down from his forehead. It was both tedious and taxing, but with every basket he filled, the boy felt a strange sense of accomplishment. Feeling like he was useful and had a purpose. It was something he had never experienced at home since he had always been treated like a cub. This was his first true responsibility.

Baxter returned sometime later through the open door to the silo. The dog boy had taken his shirt off and was holding it in his hand. Ralph's eyes turned towards the sight of the other boy, which caused his whole body to stop what he was doing. The bigger cub didn't comment on the odd, fixated stare from the other boy and seemed pleased that his charge was still on the loom when he got back. Looking next to Ralph, he saw four full baskets of tinder. It was a bit more than he expected, but far less than he could have accomplished himself.

"Ya did good, it's time for yer meal. Bring a basket inside the living quarters, and I'll fetch the others." The dog took hold of three of the baskets with ease.

Grabbing one basket, the smaller boy waited for his new friend to grab the rest. Watching him closely, Ralph's eyes lingered on the shirtless boy perhaps longer than they should have. Following in behind him once they were all taken care of. Outside, Ralph could see things were darker now. The sun was still out but just beginning to set. Only the crimson rays over the horizon provided any illumination. Much of
 the surrounding area of the ranch had gone dark. He continued behind the dog, who took him back to the
 home.

Once inside, Ralph was surprised to see that much of the interior of it was lit by candlelight. Only a few kerosene lanterns were lit, each of them burning from a wick that flickered within. The smell of it was pungent and made him wrinkle his nose a bit. Baxter led him to the area by the furnace. Just next to it was a small crate that he opened. Holding it open, the dog motioned for him to place the tinder inside.

Ralph put the tinder inside the box and dusted himself off. Some of the residue created by his grinding of the tumbleweed had stuck to his shirt.  The young kitten could smell something as the aroma of whatever it was tickled his nose. Motioning for him to follow him once again, Baxter led him into the kitchen. They proceeded past the living room and into the area just beyond it. Inside, they found Frank preparing a meal.

The kitchen was much larger than Ralph had expected. A medium-sized table sat at the center of it with a red and white plaid tablecloth laid over it.  The older male in the back was working over a steaming crock pot, and vapors fumed out of it as he shielded himself from the heat. Next to him was a cutting station with several tops of various cut vegetables and strips of fat cut from some freshly slain game.

Baxter spoke softly to him but did not approach. "Mr. Frank, do ya need any help?"

"Nah, boy. Ya did enough today. How did the city boy do?" The tabby cat did not distract himself from his current duty.

The dog shrugged and sat down at the table. "He did fine enough. Managed to tarry some tinder."

"Well, enough. Yer gonna have to show him the ropes in the morn." Frank started pouring the soup from the pot into a few bowls.

The younger male nodded. "Of course, Mr. Frank."

Ralph sat down next to the bigger boy, his eyes occasionally drifted over towards his shirtless body.  The larger dog paid him no attention as both of them waited patiently for the meal to be served. Placing bowls in front of them with small jars of milk. The cat hadn't had a drink served in jars before and thought it was a bit strange. Each of the bowls had wooden spoons dipped inside them for the boys to help themselves.

"Eat up, boys. Ya' got a big day in the morn." Frank said before finally joining.

The kitten could smell the soup as the aromatic aroma of it emanated from the bowl below. He couldn't help but be hungry and dug in without delay. The meal was hearty and savory. It was a vegetable-based soup mixed with what tasted like beef. The bowl was so large that he didn't finish it. Baxter was more than able to finish his meal and looked over at the smaller boy with a hint of curiosity about him.

"Yer not gonna finish it?"  Baxter asked simply before wiping his lips with a cloth napkin.

The kitten shook his head. "N..no? I'm full."

"Suit yerself. More for me then." The dog didn't bother to ask and took the bowl to finish it off.

The rest of the meal was quiet except for the occasional tapping of silverware against the bowl. Ralph sipped on the milk and waited for everyone to finish before getting up.

"What do ya think yer doing, city boy? Collect the dishes and wash 'em." Frank said with a disgruntled look on his face.

Turning around, Ralph looked at him, seeming confused. He had never been asked to do the dishes before. He had never been trusted with anything by his parents. It was another reminder that his situation was treated very differently here.  He stood there silently, seeming to be unsure of himself again. The older cat rolled his eyes.

"Aint'cha cleaned dishes before, city boy?" The older cat put his hands on his waist.

Ralph shook his head gently. "Um...no?"

"Yer' helpless ya know that? Baxter, can ya help the city boy with it?" Frank didn't want to burden him further but had little other choice.

Slowly getting up, the dog nodded. "Yes, Mr. Frank."

"Thank ya kindly, boy. Now get to it."  The man made his way out of the kitchen.

Baxter walked over toward the sink and motioned for the other boy to join him. "Come over here."

The smaller cub said nothing and made his way over toward him. His new friend showed him how to wash the dishes. Ralph watched him closely, his eyes occasionally drifting from the task up to the cub's shirtless body. A simple matter of scrubbing each of the plates, pots, utensils, and other cooking wares with a soaped-up sponge. Making sure that each of them was rid of as much grime as possible. Drying them with a rag and then shelving them on a wooden rack to be further aired out. Ralph was able to pick up the task fairly easily and was able to manage it without much difficulty.

'Alright, we're done. I'm hittin' the hay. I'll get with ya in the morning and we'll get an early start to the day. I suggest ya get some shut-eye, ay." The bigger boy tipped his hat and finally took it off before leaving the kitchen.

Ralph turned around and made his way back out of the kitchen. Inside the living room, he could hear the radio playing. Peering over the beaten-up sofa, he saw Frank with his paws propped up, reading the newspaper. Despite the inside of the home being poorly illuminated, it didn't seem like he had any issue reading the news. The kitten said nothing out of fear of angering him further and instead made his way back to his room.

Finding his room now completely dark, he fumbled around a bit. Only a single candle and the moonlight from outside peered within. He looked around briefly and saw no other candles he could light. He saw no switches, so he assumed that the place was too rural to have electricity. The cub looked around for any signs of a bathroom and saw no such thing in the room, so he decided to step back out in the living room and ask Frank.

"Uncle Frank, where is the bathroom?" He asked in a hushed tone, still feeling uncertain around the older male.

The tabby cat didn't take his eyes off the newspaper. "Dere's an outhouse behind the house. It has a washroom connected to it."

"Uh, what about the towels?" Ralph walked closer to the sofa where his uncle was relaxing.

Frank sighed. "I keep 'em hung over the washroom door. Ya can use Baxter's. Make sure not to run the water long, as we all have to use it."

Deciding not to press the issue any further, Ralph stepped back into his room to grab a change of clothes. Grabbing his pajamas and then padding back through the house and out the front door. Pressing his hand around the outside of it. Outside was only lit by the fully risen moon in tandem with what little illumination filtered from within.  Slowly, he made his way around the house until he was at the rear of it.

Just behind it, he could see a small shack with a moon engraved on the front of it. Just next to it was a fenced-in area with swinging doors leading into each of them. He continued walking toward the outhouse and gently opened the door. Within was nothing but a wooden seat, cushioned only by a small padding around a central hole. The inside of it smelled of remnants of foul odors, and he pinched his nose. Relieving himself, he couldn't help but want to be home even more.

When he had taken care of business, he stepped back out of the outhouse and into the adjoining washroom. A small closed-in area with a stone bathtub and matching sink basin. Connected to both of them were some old pipes that poured water into them. Little did the kitten realize that all of the water from the farm came from a nearby well that they had to replenish on occasion.

Ralph stripped off his clothing and placed it on the counter next to the stone basin. His body shivered from the slightly chilled temperature, but he eased himself into the bath. Turning on the spicket, the thing squeaked before a weak stream of water poured out from it. He sat in the stone tub for some time as it slowly filled. The water was cold and took a few moments before his body adjusted.

The kitten went through his usual hygiene routine. Only a single bar of soap had been provided, which he ended up using on his body. It was far from a comfortable position for him, but there was very little he could do about it. When he was done, he felt around the bottom of it and pulled the plug just underneath his paws. Slowly, the water began pouring out, and he got out to dry himself and change back into his pajamas.

Making his way back to the house, he found that Frank was no longer in the front room. The radio had been turned off, and only the candles nearby showed any movement. He assumed that his uncle had gone to sleep and decided it was time for him to turn in as well. The kitten padded back towards his room. Yawning and stretching, the fatigue from the day finally hit him. He laid out the sheets on the bed and pulled a blanket over them to make it more comfortable.

Sliding onto it, the young cub tried to get comfortable. The mattress was far from soft, a far cry from what he was used to back at home. He tossed and turned a bit, back and forth. Not bothering to turn off the only light in his room. Even with it on, it was plenty dark for him to sleep. It took him a good amount of time before his body and mind finally submitted to fatigue. Spending a long, restful night in the realm of dreams.

That night, he was visited by a strange dream. Thoughts of Baxter filled his mind. The recurring sight of the dog boy shirtless revisited him repeatedly. One even where the other boy came into his room in the same state of undress. Every time he did so, Ralph found himself increasingly interested in him. He didn't know why, but there was something different about him. Reaching out, the kitten tried touching him, only for the vision to be abruptly interrupted by the other cub waking him up.

***********************************************************************************

The next morning arrived along with the shrill crow of the farm's rooster. The bird did
 not stop its call, but Ralph was much too deep a sleeper for it to bother him. It wasn't Baxter who made his way
 into the other boy's room and abruptly shook the smaller boy in his bed.

"Get up. It's time fer chores." The bigger cub said with his ever-vigilant gaze remaining over the other to make sure he got up.

Ralph groaned as he slowly roused. "Just a little bit longer?"

"No. Get up before Mr. Frank finds out yer in bed." The dog reminded him of the ever-present overlord.

The kitten eased himself into the bed. "Fine, why do you keep calling him Mr. Frank anyway. Isn't he your dad?"

"Har har, very funny. Mr. Frank is not my pa. I just help here as a farm hand. I see my parents on weekends." The dog once again shook him to make sure he got up.

Baxter chuckled at the smaller boy as he got out from underneath the sheets. The pajamas he had on had some cartoony designs that resembled Felix the Cat. His mother had embroidered the things with him by hand as it was the cub's favorite. While he didn't have access to a television at home, he had seen it while over at a friend's. Even going as far as to visit the friend every Saturday when the new episode was shown.

"What's so funny?" The smaller boy folded his arms defensively.

Baxter playfully slapped him on the back. "Nothin'. Get changed and let's go get breakfast. I'll meet ya in the kitchen."

The kitten nodded and waited as his friend exited the room. Changing from his pajamas into his street clothes. Simple knee-length denim jeans, a plaid shirt, and leather shoes. Putting on his page boy's flat cap over his head before finally heading out and making his way back into the kitchen. He could smell something being cooked, but he wasn't sure what it was. Stepping inside, he found Frank was pouring out some freshly warmed up oatmeal, grains, and fruit.

"Eat up, city boy. You and Baxter got work ta do." The older male pointed a wooden spoon at him.

Ralph nodded at him but said nothing and took a seat next to the dog, who was already at the table. His uncle soon left the two of them alone in the room. Baxter brought the bowl up to his snout and began sipping from it. He was surprised that he didn't use a spoon instead, but didn't mention it. Helping himself to dive into the meal, he had to blow off some steam. It was thick and brothy but hit the spot all the same.

Peeling into a grapefruit, Baxter began to talk to him. "I'm gonna show ya how to clean the stables today."

"That sounds disgusting, I don't wanna do that." The younger cat was certain it would smell bad and likely be messy.

Baxter scowled at him. "You don't have a choice. Yer a greenhorn, you'll do what I tell ya to or I'll tell Mr. Frank."

"But isn't there anything else I can do?" Ralph badly wanted to get out of this task.

The dog tapped his finger on the table expectantly, but it was obvious he wasn't taking no for an answer.

"Fine." The kitten knew he had no other choice in the matter.

Getting up, the bigger cub said nothing. Baxter was annoyed by his antics. He had grown up, always doing whatever he was told. The act of defiance was not something he took lightly.

"Clean the dishes and meet me outside. I'm gonna grab some tools." With that, the dog boy was gone.

Ralph was once again left alone with his thoughts. He felt a bit guilty that he had upset his new friend. Baxter had been helpful to him so far since his arrival on the farm. Already in his mind, he wanted to apologize and make up for it. After all, he wanted Baxter to like him. A task for another time, he told himself. Relenting, he got up and started to clean up the dishes in the same manner as he had the previous night.  Scrubbing each of the bowls and cups until they were clean.

When he was done, he stepped back through the living room. Outside, he was struck by the immediate dry humidity of the climate. He looked around for signs of Baxter. Spotting the dog over by a barrel outside of one of the barns. He seemed to be pulling out some rakes. Making his way over to him, the smaller cat looked at the dog, who still hadn't noticed him just yet. Ralph stared at the boy, recalling some semblance of his dream, but soon snapped himself out of it.

"Sorry if I was being difficult earlier. I didn't mean to upset you." Ralph scratched the back of his head.

The bigger cub arched his eyebrow. "It's kay. Take a rake, we need to rake up the slop."

Looking over to the side of the barn, he saw several iron-clad rakes. Each of them had several teeth and was quite rusted over. He grabbed one of them and brought it over to where Baxter was already shuffling together some mucky grime. He watched the other cub tarry away. With each stroke of the dog piled up more of the slop into a single pile. Some of it slipped through the rake's teeth, and he had to repeat it a few times over.

"Well, what're ya waiting for. Get to it." Baxter did not like to waste time.

The urging from the other cub was more than enough for him to get underway. Ralph started to rake away with the large tool. The thing was a bit big for him, with the arm of it being designed for larger adults. Having to angle it at a lesser slope so that the thing dragged against the floor at a more appropriate slant. The slop was sticky, and much of it slipped through the teeth of the rake. It seemed to be much more difficult than he realized.

"How do you get it to not go through the rake?" The kitten felt silly for not knowing whatever technique his friend was using.

The bigger boy chuckled. "Dig yer rake into the ground so that there isn't as much space."

Ralph repeated the process. The second time, he was able to pile up much more slop than the first. Doing so again and again with increasing efficiency, the more he got the hang of it. The two of them continued to work at it. Neither said much, but occasionally the cat looked over to his friend, who still was paying him very little mind. In his mind, he wanted nothing more than to impress Baxter, but he didn't know how to do it.

They finished after a little over an hour. A small pile of slop had collected in the corner. Fortunately, the grime didn't smell badly, and Ralph wasn't bothered by it. Baxter placed his rake back along the wall, turning his gaze to the other cub.

"A'right, we need to take care of the animals. Would ya like to feed 'em horses?" The bigger boy pointed over to the stalls in the barn nearest to them.

Nodding, he smiled at him. "Yeah, alright. What do they eat?"

"There be oat an' hay in the silo, just feed 'em that." Baxter walked away, clearly having no intention of showing him that.

Understanding what he needed to do, Ralph walked towards the barn next door. Briefly, he looked back towards Baxter. Stopping in his tracks, the kitten stared at his friend for several seconds. Not realizing he was even staring, he looked for several moments. Fortunately, the other cub was too busy to catch him. Ralph just stood there for several moments until a loud noise jolted him from his semi-dazed state.

He looked around until he saw behind him that a silo had burst. The store from within was now leaking out. A panicked Frank was already on his way over, and Ralph slipped away, wanting no part of being blamed. The kitten made his way toward the horse barn. Stepping in, his nose curled at the foul smell. A mixture of waste, other by-products, and hay. Pinching his nose, he stepped into the barn.

Looking on both sides of him, he saw that many of the horses were out of their stables. Only two of them were currently idly standing around. The ones that were there were older, with glazed-over eyes and some elastic coverings over their aged joints. Little did he realize that older animals were a rarity in agriculture. Frank did not believe in euthanizing animals and kept them around even after they had outlived their usefulness.

Ralph saw a silo with the word "Feed" taped over it. He assumed this was what he needed to gather for the animals and walked over towards it. As he approached it, he realized the silo had no opening or spout. Examining it a moment, he panned his hand over it to search for a way to open. It seemed that none of the panels budged as he tried to slide each of them with light pressure. Repeating the same on the backside, he found himself at a loss for what to do.

Stopping what he was doing, Ralph looked back at the other stable. Baxter was nowhere to be seen, and he wasn't about to ask Frank for help. He knew he was on his own and had to figure out how it worked. Kneeling, he looked underneath it. A small rusted panel sat on the underbelly of it, and it seemed more worn than the rest of it. Gently touching it, the thing slid off with ease, and hay poured out onto the floor.

The kitten panicked as a small pile of it collected beneath. In a frenzy, he stopped holding his nose, and quickly he shoved the panel in place, and the hay no longer flowed freely. Once again, the foul odor of the barn invaded his nose as his nostrils curled. Ralph choked a moment, but he realized it would be easier if he just put up with it, so he could do the job he had been assigned. Picking some of it up, he began to transfer it to each of the long troughs that lined the front of each of the horse stables.

The task was simple enough, and he was able to fill all of the feeders with very little issue. Only dropping some of the hay on the ground. Sweeping it up after with a broom back near the silo where it had been stored previously. Ralph looked back at what he had done, feeling proud of it. The older horses were already snacking away at the hay, and he considered what to do next. After a brief moment of thinking about it, he decided that he would look for the other boy.

Stepping back out of the horse stables, he poked his head in the adjoining one where Baxter had previously been. The barn was empty, and the only signs of him were the rakes and piles of slop they had piled together before. Continuing through it, he made his way to the other side. In front of the house, he saw Frank, who had a disgruntled look on his face. Ralph kept quiet as he returned the way he came and exited out the back side of it.

Just behind the barn was the silo that had blown its top earlier. Ralph walked over towards it and saw an unfamiliar liquid on the ground. The vicious black fluid didn't have much smell to it, and it was everywhere. Looking around, he still saw no signs of Baxter and contemplated his actions. The silo was still leaking slightly near a nozzle, with some of the fluid dripping after it. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a single piece of gum and began chewing on it.

Ralph applied the gum to the end of the nozzle, easily plugging it up. Whatever remained of the fluid inside the silo seemed safe for the time being.

"What're ya doing, city boy?" Frank's annoyed tone was unmistakable.

The kitten backed away from the silo. "Trying to fix the silo."

"It's too late fer that now. Get to the fields and help harvest." The older cat shoved him out of the way.

The boy scowled at him as he walked away, very much feeling underappreciated. Not having any intention of making his discontent known, Ralph walked away. Hearing the sound of a voice calling to him.

"Get over here." Baxter yelled to him from atop a horse-drawn tractor.

Ralph panned his gaze over towards the nearby field. Within the fences around it, he saw the other boy sitting in the seat of the tractor. Wanting to be as far away from Frank as possible, the kitten made his way to the field. Baxter got off the horse-drawn tractor and let the reins down on the saddle. The dog ran a brush across the horse's mane as he waited for the other boy.

"I was looking fer ya." The dog said with a slightly annoyed tone.

The smaller cub rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry, I finished feeding the horses and went to look for you, but I couldn't find you."

"It's fine. Get on the tractor."  Baxter pointed at the leather saddle sitting on a chestnut colored horse.

Ralph looked at him hesitantly. "I've never ridden a horse before..."

"First time fer everything. Get on, I'll help ya." The bigger boy positioned himself near the stirrups.

Feeling a bit nervous, Ralph inched closer to the horse. The beast was a lot bigger than he was, and he looked over at Baxter for a bit of reassurance.

"Well...?"  The other cub had a still look on his face, chewing on a single piece of hay rather loudly.

The kitten twiddled his fingers and ground them into his hands. "I'm afraid."

"Of what? Yer impossible. I tell ya what, get on and I'll ride with ya." Baxter tapped his feet impatiently.

That incentive was all that the smaller boy needed to get on the back of the horse. Ralph stepped onto the dog's hand and then onto the stirrup. Awkwardly, he straddled the beast, taking several seconds to get himself situated. The bigger boy mounted just after him, taking no effort to bring himself just behind his friend. Baxter took hold of the reins with his arms looping around the other cub.

Feeling warmer than usual, Ralph relaxed a bit more. Having the other cub so close to him brought a feeling of security to him. He trusted the bigger boy entirely, despite only knowing him for a day now. A strange sense of butterflies floated around in his stomach. The warmth of the other cub's body emanated onto his back, bringing him an even greater sense of comfort. Before long, the dog snapped the reins, and the horse started to pull the tractor again.

The horse pulled the tractor through the fields. Cutting through various bits of the harvest and slicing through the weeds that had collected in the field. It was slow-moving as the tractor pulled through the dirt, breaking earth with each lateral movement it made. Huffing occasionally, the horse pulled them through the entire field with only the fruits of their labor left behind. The thing came to a stop at the end of its route, neighing a single time as it bucked its head back gently.

"Let's get 'er done." Baxter said as he hopped off the horse and looked up at the smaller cub.

Ralph rearranged himself as he got ready to get off the beast. Swiveling himself around, he loses his seat in the process. His body slid down the horse in a hurry, ending up with a muffled thud as his butt hit the ground. Fortunately for him, the fall wasn't very long, and he didn't hurt himself. The dog laughed out loud as he couldn't control himself from the outcome of the slip-up.

"Yer such a clutz." The bigger boy offered his hand to the smaller boy.

Looking up at the bigger boy, the two's eyes met for just a moment. A strange sense of comfort washed over the smaller boy who was still flat on his behind. The only sound exchanged between them was the constant smacking of Baxter's lips as he chewed and sucked on the piece of hay in his mouth. Ralph didn't realize it, but he was staring at the other cub, and neither of them moved for several moments until the dog spoke.

"Well, Ya gonna get up or just sit there like a lump a' coal?" The bigger boy was not super patient.

That reminder was enough to snap the kitten out of it. "Yeah."

Finally, Ralph took the bigger boy's hand and picked himself up. He dusted off his backside, which did very little to clean some of the mud on his back.

"Ya know them there clothes ain't fit fer a farm." Baxter noticed the other cub had ripped a hole in his pants.

The kitten looked down at where the other cub was gazing. He noticed the small rip, which showed a little bit of his underwear. Immediately, his face flushed up and he covered himself down there, but it was too late. The dog had seen his covered nether regions, even if only for a split second.

"What? Ya ain't got nothin' I ain't seen before. Let's go get ya fixed up in somethin' more sturdy." Baxter motioned for his friend to follow him.

Ralph was still feeling embarrassed, but felt a bit better since his friend hadn't said anything about what he had seen. Perhaps he hadn't seen anything, or so he told himself. After all, there was no tear in his underwear. Still, he maintained one of his hands where the tear was. Intent on maintaining whatever little vanity remained. It was little more than peace of mind for him, and Baxter seemed to care very little about what had just happened.

Following him back into the house, the dog led him up a thin corridor of stairs. Ralph had not noticed the way up when he had toured the place previously. The stairs were situated in a small corner, and the entrance to them was sealed off by a door that squeaked when they it opened. Proceeding up, Baxter showed him the way up the stairs to an upstairs room which was little more than an attic.

The cub looked around, just like the room downstairs, this one only had a singular window. The open window gazed outside, and a tattered drape had been tied against a hook. A small mattress had been situated on the ground with no baseboard. The bed was well-kept, and the sheets were freshly made. A singular small nightstand stood alongside it with a picture of the dog boy and his family. It seemed that this was the bigger cub's room.

Before he questioned it, Baxter stuffed a spare set of overalls into his arms. "Here, this might be a bit big, but it will have to do."

"Thanks, is that your family?" Ralph pointed to the picture that had been set nearby.

The puppy looked over to it. "Yeah, that's my ma and pa."

"Is the baby they are holding your sister?" The kitten assumed it was the case since the younger cub was wearing a pink onesie.

The bigger boy nodded. "Yeah, now go get changin'. We have things to do and not much time to do them."

The kitten understood and made his way out of the attic and back downstairs. He could hear some noise coming from the kitchen. He assumed it was probably Frank and decided to stay away from it. After all, his uncle had given him very little reason to like him. Ralph headed back to his room. Shedding off his shirt and pulling down his pants, he looked into the seat of them. There was no doubt there was a rip in it, and he was a bit surprised by the size of the hole.

Ralph changed into the overalls. They were slightly baggy on him, but he figured he had no choice in the matter. Feeling a little weird since his fur and skin were not quite used to the abrasive fabric of denim against his body. Once he had changed, the kitten headed back the way he came. He didn't look back as he knew that Baxter had likely returned outside since the bigger cub was worried about his responsibilities.

Back outside, he looked around once again. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Frank putting some laundry on a clothes line. Walking away further from him, the cub kept an eye out for the dog boy. He wanted to help Baxter with whatever he was doing. Still feeling silly about what happened earlier, he wanted nothing more than to prove himself to the bigger boy. In his mind, he just needed another chance to do it.

Eventually, he found the dog boy working in the fields. He had a wicker basket full of some vegetables. It seemed he was collecting some of the harvest. Ralph watched him work for a moment. A single bead of sweat poured down the bigger cub's forehead. His somewhat dirty fur glistened in the sunlight. The kitten stared at the other boy for a moment until another loud noise snapped him out of it.

The cat panned his head around to find the source of the nose. A vat of water had ruptured and was leaking water. Ralph decided this was his chance to prove himself. Without a word, he made his way over to where the container was. Upon arriving at it, the cub took a quick look at it. The water vat was a metal container redesigned from a foundry crucible. It was completely rusted over, and one of the layers of rust
 had crumbled, and the iron siding had cracked.

Ralph contemplated his options at the moment. He had never worked with metal, so mending it wasn't an option. As he was looking around for something to use, he saw a small sheet of metal. Considering if he could slide it through the top and use it as a sort of a patch. Even if the water was slowly leaking, he didn't want to waste time. Quickly, he grabbed the sheet and looked for a way to reach the top of the vat.

Nearby, he found a rack of wood that didn't seem to be used. He pulled it over and proceeded to climb on top of the vat. Reaching his hand inside, he slid the small sheet of metal over the space where the leak was dripping out. It only took him a bit of effort to reach inside and place the sheet where it needed to be.

"What are ya doing?" A familiar voice echoed through the iron chamber.

This caught Ralph off guard, who quickly retracted. Looking up from him below was Baxter. It seemed the dog had come over while he was attempting to fix the leak in the vat.

Ralph hopped down from his makeshift stepping stool. "I was fixing the vat, it sprang a leak."

"It did? I dun see a leak." Baxter seemed a bit confused.

Ralph cracked a smile as he pointed to the area where the rust had caused the metal to fray. "It was leaking here. Put your hand against it."

The bigger boy pushed him out of the way and pressed his hand against it. Sure enough, there were droplets of water remaining. Looking beneath him, he saw a puddle.

"Well, I'll be. Ya sure as heck did. How did ya fix er?" Baxter was a bit surprised the other cub had managed it without his help.

The kitten couldn't help but be proud of himself."I just slid another sheet of metal behind where it was cracked. It might be temporary, but it will work for now."

"Ah, I see. Now come on, I wanna show ya how to harvest da crops." The dog motioned for the other cub to follow him.

Ralph stood there stupefied for a moment, thinking to himself. Wasn't he allowed just one moment of glory? Why couldn't Baxter fully appreciate what he did?

"Wait." The smaller boy decided to speak up.

The bigger cub turned around. "What? We have things to do, ya know that, right?"

"I don't care. Why can't you acknowledge what I tried to do?" The kitten put his arms to his side, seeming offended.

Baxter cocked an eyebrow at him. "What? Ya think what you did was difficult? Haha."

"That's not the point. I've been trying my hardest to make things better, but I've been criticized for almost everything I've done. It's not fair." Ralph scowled at him.

The other boy shook his head at him. "Fair? Yer a greenhorn. How else are ya gonna know any better?"

"That might be true, but I'm doing my best. I know I'm new here. I know I can do it if you just show me how. Just give me a chance without criticizing me for once?"  The smaller boy huffed in frustration.

The dog carefully considered his words. "So what? I'm being too hard on ya?"

"Yes. Can you just please treat me as your equal? I promise to try my best no matter what." Ralph puffed out his chest proudly.

Baxter chuckled at him. "Fine. Now come on, we have crops to harvest."

Ralph fell in line with the other cub, feeling better now that he stood up for himself. He wasn't sure if things would change, but at least he tried. The dog led him back to the crop fields. Long lines of various vegetables were separated by fences. Several empty wicker baskets sat at the corners, ready to be filled with the various crops within.

"It's easy enough. Just pluck the greens and put 'em in the basket." The dog modeled the action.

The kitten nodded. He told himself he couldn't possibly mess this up. Still wanting to prove himself to the bigger boy. Ralph wanted nothing more than to be praised by the other cub. This was just the moment he'd been waiting for, or so he told himself. The two of them started to work on harvesting the crops. Picking various things from corn stalks to various types of beans. It was tedious work and became even more taxing as the day pressed on.

They worked for the next few hours. Stopping only when their stomachs started to growl for lunch. Baxter came over to grab the other boy.

"Ya got some muck on yer face." The dog spat on his finger and cleaned the dirt off his friend's eyelid.

Ralph was a bit surprised by the action and blushed slightly. "Thanks."

"Come on, it's lunch time." Baxter put his arm around the smaller cub.

Feeling a bit warm inside, the kitten wasn't about to complain about being close to him. He wasn't sure why it made him feel good about himself, but it did. Ralph couldn't help but notice it was the friendliest Baxter had been towards him since he first arrived. He wasn't about to complain since he was finally getting what he wanted. Now he just needs to continue to prove himself and get on the better side of Baxter.

Back inside, there were no signs of Frank. Baxter and Ralph made their way back to the kitchen.

"Ya want some chick pea chowder? Mr. Frank makes a mean one." It was one of the dog's favorite lunches when he was at the farm.

The kitten nodded. "Yeah, sure, I'll try it."

The dog pulled out a glass jar from the icebox. It was frosted over from the condensation created inside the unit. Pouring it into a small crock pot, the cub put it on the stove before lighting up a match. He turned on the gas on low, and a small flame emitted underneath it. Ralph watched his friend make the meal. Baxter was so much more capable than he was. It made him look up to the boy even more than he already did.

The meal didn't take long to heat up. Baxter hadn't put much of the chowder in the pot. As it cooked, the aroma of it oscillated around the room and made Ralph's stomach churn in anticipation. Another few moments passed, and Baxter covered his hand with an oven mitt before lifting the pot and pouring the contents into two bowls.

The puppy served up the bowls on the table, sitting next to his friend. "Eat up. We got lots of work ta do."

Ralph nodded and looked for a spoon, realizing that none had been provided. He watched the other boy for a moment. The dog didn't even notice that he was watching him as he was sipping from the bowl. It was apparent he drank the soup straight from the bowl, which was something the kitten had never tried before. After a moment of contemplation on whether he should ask for a spoon, he decided to dive.

Touching the bowl, it was hot. Not too hot that it burned him, but it caused him to pause for a moment. Taking hold of it in both of his hands before bringing it to his face. Tipping it in the same manner that he saw the other cub do. Some of the soup dripped from the corners of his maw, but he was able to do it without much difficulty. Wiping his mouth off when he was done.

"That was good, thanks." Ralph had finished his bowl shortly after the other cub.

The bigger dog smiled at him. "I'm glad ya liked it. Let's clean up and get back ta work."

The two of them got up one after the other, and Ralph helped his friend to clean the table. Washing out the bowls with a quick rinse and a wipe before leaving them on a rack to dry. Baxter motioned for the kitten to follow him. Making their way out, they passed by Frank, who, as usual, had a scowl on his face. It was apparent that his day was going poorly.

His uncle said nothing to them as they passed by one another. Ralph was glad there was no exchange as he still thought poorly of his relative. Heading back outside, Baxter led him to the Granary. The granary was a small storage space underneath the farm's central windmill. The large wooden wings spun in a continuous circle above the place.

Baxter led him inside the Granary. Within the windmill's interior, a rafter was crushing grains and hay. A large wooden ramp led from the core of the mechanism to two barrels below. The barrel where the grain was emptying was already getting full.

"We need ta exchange the barrels before they get full." The dog put it simply.

Deciding this was something that he didn't need explained, Ralph looked over for an empty barrel. Several of them were on the side of the facility, with two of them labeled for Grease and Oil. The kitten found an empty one and brought it over to where the grain was being emptied. The flow from the ramp down to the barrel was slow but steady. He figured it wouldn't be a big deal if he dropped some, but wanted to reduce waste.

Trying to move the mostly full barrel took some effort, but he was able to push it back. Lifting the empty one, he quickly exchanged it beneath the catch area.

"Can I get some help over here? I hurt myself." Baxter said from the other side of the granary.

Ralph stopped what he was doing and went to help the other boy. He found the dog on the floor, holding his hand against his chest. No blood could be seen, but it was apparent he was injured.

"Can I see it?" The kitten said, wanting to help the other cub's situation.

The bigger boy grimaced and shook his head. "Nah...it's not that bad. I promise."

"I didn't ask if it was bad. I just want to see it." Ralph was determined to help the other boy.

The cat stared at his friend intently. After a moment of hesitation, the puppy finally stopped holding his wrist. Ralph knelt to get a closer look at the injury. He had sprained his wrist a while back and remembered how it looked. Baxter's wrist looked much the same. There was no doubt it was swollen. Looking around, the cat searched for something to bind it with.

Ralph recalled that when he hurt himself, his mother had used a sling to treat the injury. She had shown him how to do it, just in case he had to do it for himself. Nearby, he saw a small sheet of cloth hanging through the window. Tearing the thing down, he returned to his friend's side, who once again was babying the injury.

"Let go of it. I promise this will help. You just need to
 keep it from moving so it can heal." It was a different version of what his mother had told him some months ago.

Slowly, Baxter let go of his injury again. Ralph wrapped the sling around the other boy's arm, successfully cradling it within the folds of the fabric. Looking at him, the bigger boy seems surprised by what he was doing.

"How did ya know how to do that?" The dog asked as he felt a bit better with the pressure no longer being applied to his wrist.

Ralph shrugged. "My mom showed me when I hurt myself a few months ago. We need to get you some ice. Let's go back inside."

"But...we need to finish replacing the barrels." The bigger boy tried to get up but had some difficulty as his injured hand moved a bit.

The kitten shook his head. "I will finish. You need to go inside and rest."

Staring at him for a moment, Ralph was steadfast in his intent. Baxter felt vulnerable for the first time in a while, and he didn't like it. Still, he knew he had little choice in the manner.

"Let me help you up." Ralph said as he anchored his head under the other boy's uninjured arm.

Using the whole of his body strength, the cat helped his friend stand up. Once he was up, Baxter moved himself on his power, but the other boy made sure that he returned to the house to nurse his injury. Ralph walked with him back to the house and explained the situation to Frank. Of course, once what had happened was explained, his uncle decided to allow the other boy to rest for the remainder of the day.

Returning to the granary, Ralph finished what he was doing before. He felt bad for Baxter, but Frank had made him promise to finish most of the other cub's chores. This meant he had to figure things out on his own. Still, he wasn't about to back down from a challenge. After all, he wanted nothing more than to impress the dog boy, and this was his chance.

Uncle Frank had given the boy a reduced list of what to do. Two other things he needed to complete by dinner time. To corral the livestock back into their pens for the evening and to feed the animals that hadn't been fed already. Feeding the animals was something Ralph knew he could manage. After all, Baxter had shown him that already, but coraling them was something he'd never done before.

Ralph returned to the fields where the livestock were. Horses, sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle were all grazing happily about. Nearby, a single horse was tied up against a fence post. On its back a saddle and around its neck a rein. Hanging on the fence next to it was a lasso. Ralph had listened to countless Western radio shows before, but never did he imagine himself trying to do what he was about to do.

Slowly, he walked to the horse, who paid him no mind. The beast was old and grey, and its mane was unkempt. Using the fence as leverage, he hopped on the back of the horse. Feeling a bit strange without Baxter behind him, he sat there idly for a moment. The horse neighed as it felt the boy's weight atop it. Without a second of hesitation, the beast began to trek forward.

Panic set in his mind as the horse trotted onward. In front of him, some sheep began to run astray. Ralph still had not taken hold of the reins, and yet the beast carried on still. The sheep turned back, running high tail back into the stalls. It was apparent that the horse was going through the motions after doing this so many times in its life.

Ralph began to relax as one by one the sheep ran back into the stables. The process seemed so simple, and even the few cows that were out and about began to trot indoors. Suddenly, the horse came to a stop as a bull stared them down. Ralph gazed at the black sheen-coated animal standing right in their way. It stamped its hooves as if standing them down.

The boy didn't know what to do. Looking at his side, the lasso was there for him to use, but he'd never used it before. The bull snorted at them, digging its feet into the ground. A sudden movement forward, and it started to charge the horse. Ralph knew there was no time to react and quickly grabbed the lasso and looped it around his head. In one fell swoop, he threw the thing right at the bull.

It was loose enough to land right around the bull's neck. So loose that it continued to drop further below. The horse trotted around it, keeping a safe distance between them and the beast. Yet with that sudden change in direction, the lasso swooped around the bull and fell to its legs. Tangling within them. The best fell to its knees in a frustrated snort.

Ralph couldn't believe it...he looked at the bull, who was now subdued before him.

The cub could hear some clapping. "Well done...city boy. I'll take care of old Brimace 'ere. Ya finish up, and ya can take a break. It's well deserved."

It was the first time Frank had ever complimented him, and Ralph couldn't help but swell in pride.  He knew it was sheer luck and coincidence that he was even able to manage it, but he wasn't about to let his uncle in on his secret. Frank tapped the side of the horse's shoulder that Ralph was riding. Sending the thing trotting once again. Corralling each the rest of the beasts with ease. One by one, the field emptied until it was completely vacant.

Ralph returned to the stables where the elderly steed was stationed. The stately horse stall was larger than the rest of them. Its name is engraved in a wood-carved "Stella" over its space.

"Good girl, Stella." The cub got off the beast's back, glad to be off it.

Ralph pulled a carrot from the nearby food bag and handed it to the old horse. The beast was all too happy to chomp away at it, snorting at him. Moving out of the stall, the boy worked to make sure all of the animals were present. It was simply a matter of checking that they were full. Only one was vacant, and the cat was certain that it had to be the bull.

He finished up feeding each of them and refreshing the water in the troughs. It was a simple task, but one that took him some time since he was the only one doing it. Working up quite the sweat, he stopped a few times to let himself cool down. By the end of it, he could see the sun was already starting to go down. He figured it was probably time for dinner, so he lit some candles before making his way back indoors.

Back inside the home, he could hear the sound of the radio churning again. Another jazz tune that he didn't recognize played through a static recording on a gramophone. Already, Frank had lit some candles in the home, providing a soft ambiance in the front room and beyond. From the kitchen, Ralph could pick up the sound of a frying pan sizzling. He was certain it was Frank cooking dinner and decided not to check, just in case.

Padding back, the cub headed back through the thin corridor that led upstairs. A soft squeak elicited from the old wood as he took steps up it. Ralph softly opened the door and pushed his way into the attic. Inside, he could hear the muffled sounds of crying.

"Baxter, are you alright?" The kitten could make out his silhouette sitting on the bed.

The other boy's voice cracked as he spoke. "I'm...fine..."

"No, you're not. You're crying. Why are you crying?" Ralph approached the bed and sat next to the other boy.

The dog sniffled through his words. "Mr. Frank wants me to go home early."

"I mean...you are hurt. So why shouldn't you rest and recover?" The kitten put his arm around the other boy to comfort him.

Baxter shook his head. "No...I can't. My ma and pa need the money. I can't go home early."

"Did you tell him that? Maybe he will give you a reduced workload or something until you're better." The smaller cub's voice was soothing to the other boy.

The puppy raised his voice. "Yes, I told him that. He dun care. He wants me to go home early."

"Oh, well...I'll talk to him. I'll convince him. I promise." Ralph wanted to sound confident, but he wasn't certain he could convince his uncle.

The bigger boy turned his head sharply. "You'd do that for me? Why?"

"You're my friend. Besides, you've helped me a lot in learning this farmhand stuff... It's the least I can do."

Baxter broke out in tears, clinging to the other boy for a sense of comfort. Wrapping his arms around him, Ralph was all too keen to hold him close. Stroking him softly up and down his back. A sense of warmth began to rise within the smaller cub. That strange feeling of butterflies began rising in his stomach again. Although he didn't understand it, he ignored it as all he wanted to do was make his friend feel better.

They remained that for several moments. The floating of butterflies was replaced by a sense of comfort and familiarity. Ralph found himself enjoying holding the other boy closer. He didn't want this moment to end, but he knew that Frank would be calling them any minute for dinner. Softly and slowly, he continued to stroke the other cub's back.

Feeling a bit emboldened, Ralph nuzzled his nose into the soft fur of the bigger boy's neck. The sudden touch of his cold and wet nose against Baxter did not make the other boy pull away. He had settled down a bit, almost nestling into the smaller boy's chest. Although he didn't know for sure, the kitten guessed the other boy liked this as much as he did.

Baxter stopped crying before long, yet remained the way he was. The feeling of the kitten's body warmth against his own was comforting. Even going as far as to reach out and grasp Ralph's hand in his own. Their fingers lay in tandem with one another. Eventually, the dog turned his gaze upward, and the two boys' eyes met in an awkward stare.

Their gazes pierced into one another. The glisten of the candlelight sparkled in each of them. Baxter leaned forward, his face ever closer to the smaller boy's snout. Ralph's heart began to beat faster in his chest. But he did not pull away; he wanted nothing more than to be close to the other boy. The distance closed between them before their lips
 met in a soft embrace.

Ralph's face fused a pinkish color beneath his fur, but he did not pull away. Wrapping his arms around him once again, just to hold him closer against him.
 The kiss lasted for several moments before Baxter finally pulled away. His face was still puffy and his eyes red, but no longer was he crying. The kitten softly grazed his hand through the other boy's fur, carressing it through his fingers.

Smiling at him, the puppy seemed more at ease now. That hard exterior he had portrayed all day had melted in a matter of moments.

"Dinner is ready, boys." Frank called them from the lower floor of the home.

The sudden call snapped the two boys out of it. Finally breaking the space between the two of them. After all, neither of them was certain about how Frank would react to them being close with one another.

"Come on, let's go eat so 'e don't get suspicious." The dog said as he got up.

Nodding, Ralph followed him back downstairs. The smell of whatever had been cooked was thick in the air. They made their way into the kitchen, and the table had already been set with plates full of food for both of them. The two cubs sat at the table, next to each other. In front of them, freshly caught fish, sauteed veggies, and mashed potatoes slathered in lemon juice.

"This looks mighty fine, Mr. Frank. Thanks for making it." Baxter intended to keep things cordial despite still being upset about being asked to leave early.

The older male nodded. "Of course, child. Do enjoy."

"Uncle Frank, from what Baxter told me, you asked him to go home early. Is that true?" The kitten wasted no time in getting to what was on his mind.

Frank stared down the younger cat. "Yeah, boy's injured. What of it?"

"I don't want him to go home. He's been helping show me the ropes, and if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have been able to corral all the livestock." Ralph looked over at Baxter, who smiled back at him.

His uncle laughed heartily. "Is that so? The boy trained ya good, did 'e?"

"Yes, I bet he can still work too; he just needs a reduced workload while he's injured." The smaller boy felt like he was making progress.

The bigger male scratched his chin. "Ah'right. I'll give ya a chance tomorrow, boy. City boy 'ere is gonna help you with yer usual chores."

"Thank you, Mr. Frank. I promise you won't regret it." Baxter's tail wagged behind him.

Frank slammed the table with a fork. "Ya better not..now eat 'fore the food gets cold."

The three of them began eating without delay. Ralph's taste buds tingled as he tasted the rich food. It was savory and somewhat overseasoned with toppings. Regardless, it was still delicious and they were all able to clear their plate. Looking at his place, the smaller boy seemed surprised he had finished it all.

"Good, now do da' dishes. I need to listen to da' news." Frank said before leaving them alone in the kitchen.

Baxter was about to get up before he was stopped by his friend. "I'll take care of it. Don't worry."

Hesitating a moment, Baxter nodded before heading back to his room. Ralph busied himself with cleaning the table and doing the dishes. It took him a bit longer than with his friends' help, but he was able to do it without any difficulty. When he finished, the kitten blew out the candle in the kitchen and headed out. Making his way back to his room.

Moonlight peered from the outside to within his chamber. Grabbing a change of clothes, he made his way outside to the outhouse. It was cool out that night, but the sensation of brisk air against his fur and skin felt good. Stripping into his birthday suit, he turned on the spicket and waited a few moments for the water to turn on. Little did he realize that from afar, Baxter was watching him.

The dog gazed at him through the window for a short time. Distracted by his thoughts of everything that had happened that day. He felt better to be sure, but wasn't sure why he was now finding himself attracted to Ralph. There was no doubt that the cat had brought him comfort in his time of need. He'd never been shown that kind of care before, and already he was wanting more of it.

Ralph went through his usual hygiene routine, spending a little bit longer in the bath than he normally would. The somewhat cold water relaxed his stiff and somewhat overworked body. Even going as far as to close his eyes for a moment, only to gaze into the stars. The twinkling skies above him gazed back down upon him with an ever comforting glow.

After finishing, he re-dressed himself. Returning inside, I found that Frank was nowhere to be seen. He could hear no radio and was uncertain of where his uncle could be. The cub didn't let it bother him for long before finally retiring to his room. Yawning, he stretched briefly before plopping down on his wire spring mattress.

The kitten felt good about himself for the first time in a while. He felt like he had not only helped the farm but also his friend. It also seemed that Baxter had taken a liking to him as well. All that hard work had finally paid off in his mind.No longer did he regret coming to the badlands. Instead, he was starting to enjoy himself...for reasons that he couldn't understand.

Back upstairs, Baxter was already in bed. He had taken a bath earlier after his injury, but had not removed the sling that Ralph had made him. Still deep in his thoughts, he was navigating through everything that had changed over those last few days. Things would no doubt be different now. A new challenge to be sure, but one that he was ready to meet with an ever-burning desire.

And so...the two boys' friendships had taken on new meaning. Even if they hadn't quite realized it yet, an ever-budding romance was blossoming between them. A bond forged through labor had extended to their personal life. Yet for both of them, it was for the better. A way to improve not just themselves...but each other. A chance to live for someone other than themselves. To live in true solidarity...friendship...and perhaps more.", "pools_count": 1, "title": "Country Comforts", "deleted": "f", "public": "t", "mimetype": "application/msword", "pagecount": "1", "rating_id": "1", "rating_name": "Mature", "ratings": [ { "content_tag_id": "2", "name": "Nudity", "description": "Nonsexual nudity exposing breasts or genitals (must not show arousal)", "rating_id": "1" } ], "submission_type_id": "12", "type_name": "Writing - Document", "guest_block": "t", "friends_only": "f", "comments_count": "0", "views": "14" }