#gonna go into my old job and give him a big ol hug and smooch on the cheek

[countingdots-tc]

miss my work dad. new job is so boring without him

[geraldcreed]

A Quick Job

(LRR Prompt of the Week. The word I picked is ‘Goat’)

A farmer cried out in Goldshire, begging anyone to help him, with no particular request. Gerald, being on his way back to the city from meeting a relative of an old friend, was curious. As usual. He walked up to the farmer, clad in his normal purple garb, the farmer regarded him with hesitation. “’Ey, traveler. Perhaps you can help a poor farmer folk?”

Gerald looked over him, “What’s your issue? Depending on what it is, perhaps I can.”

The farmer smiled kindly but wrung his hands together, obviously anxious. “I have an heirloom, you see. I always planned for times to get rough, and when it did, I’d sell it and my family’d be safe for at least a little bit. It’s gone missin’ though! I left my door open to go into the field and when I came back, it’s gone! Those damned bandits!” He fumed.

Gerald held both his hands out, a concerned expression on his face. “Calm yourself. Maybe I can help. Show me to your farm.”

The two traveled through the wood to the man’s farm. It seemed like a sad small place, the crops weren’t growing as he had hoped, and the barn was on the brink of collapse. The farmer led him to the door of his home and opened it for him. Another small area, basically three rooms attached to one another. A sitting area with a long cold fireplace, a kitchen area, and a small bedroom in the back. 

They stood there and talked a while about what the farmer had seen that day when Gerald heard footsteps behind him. Gerald looked over his shoulder to see that a large billy goat had wandered into the house. “Awh, that’s just Bertie, my prize goat! Such a sweet girl.” 

As he spoke, the goat meandered up to Gerald. The man crouched to pet the animal, scratching it under his chin and behind the ears. The animal enjoyed it, but wanted more! His long snout rooted in Gerald’s chest pocket and found his father’s pocket watch. With it firmly in his mouth he ran out of the building and into the field. 

Gerald, in a panic, sprinted after the goat, while the farmer trailed them, pleading for Bertie to slow down. They followed the animal across the field and into the woods, jumping clear over the barrier fence. The two followed until the goat paused behind a tree, pushing his head between a thick bush and an old tree. The two crept up to investigate. The goat bleated happily as Gerald peeked behind the tree. “You’re gonna want to see this, friend.”

Between the tree and the bush was Gerry’s pocket watch, as well as a gold-plated...shotgun? He looked back at the overjoyed farmer. He rushed to pick up the ornate shotgun and hugged it tightly, “My Pa’s handmade gun! He was a blacksmith in town and made this beauty as his last project.” He stated after giving it a big ol’ smooch

Gerald picked up his pocket watch and noticed something else in the bushes: The tip of a mostly buried chest. He alerted the farmer and together they dug it up and broke open the rusty lock. The farmer nearly passed out when they looked inside. A hidden cache of gold and silver coins, littered with rings and other jewelry. “My oh my, this seems to be an old bandit cache.”

“Oh Light save me.” The farmer gasped, “Traveler, please, take half as payment, this will help my family for years.”

Gerald smiled, but shook his head, “No, friend, this is all yours. Your goat found it, so you keep it. You need it more than I.”

The farmer smiled sweetly, tears in his eyes, “Thank you, my friend, you’ve blessed my family for the rest of my life.”

Gerald walked away, pleased that he could help someone out in such a large way. The farmer returned and fixed up his farm, had a family with his wife. Gerald returned to the city, to his normal day-to-day life.

@lionsragereavers