Whispers of the Blue Barn

I hated feeding the horses and doing the hay. By the end of the day, I was hot, sweaty and over all worn out. It was my grandfather, Charles, farm. I can’t imagine that he used to do this all by himself but we would help him whenever we were visiting for a weekend or summer.

Truth be told, it wasn’t the best farm either. Maybe in grandpa’s age he had let it go a bit. His shabby farm was constructed of mildewed old boards of wood. There were weeds everywhere and one sole cow. Oh sure, he had a few other farm animals. The horses and pigs were over in the big blue barn and there were some chickens floating about.

In fact, the blue barn might be the best feature that this farm had. I mean, it was still older than dirt and pretty run down but we turned it into sort of our hang out spot after hours when the grown ups had gone to bed. It’s evolved with us. When my brother and I were kids, we set up a corn-hole game and horseshoes in the big blue barn. Now that we’re teenagers, we’ve updated it a bit.

It doesn’t have internet or anything, but it does have electricity! We’ve put up some lights, a boombox, an air hockey table and a few other games. We had turned it into a pretty cool spot, some of our friends would come over in the evenings. Tonight was one of those nights. Thankfully, Will and I were able to get the chores done so we’d have time to hang out.

Oh, how rude of me. My name is Lyla Blacksmith, and my brother’s name is William, but we usually just call him Will. We were born very close together, I just turned 18 and Will is 17. We’re almost complete opposites, it’s almost hard to realize that we are related sometimes. My hair is a darker red, but still pretty vibrant and I have blue eyes. Will over there, he’s got jet black hair and deep brown eyes.

“Hey Lyl, I heard Robert’s coming to the party tonight,” said Will.

“So what?” I asked, trying my best not to blush.

Will knew I liked Robert. I wasn’t the best at hiding it. There was just something about him that made my heart skip a beat. Robert was super cute, he had short brown hair and dark blue eyes. He was smart and he always made me laugh.

We started seeing the cars pull up, they tried to not bring too many. One beat up old van, a pickup truck and a sedan. My parents and grandfather were fine with our friends coming over, to them they’d rather have us here on their property hanging out then sneaking out of the house going to god only knows where.

“Hey Will, where should I put the beer?” asked Troy.

“Uhh anywhere, we’ve got two coolers set up, food and snacks are on the table we were just waiting on everyone to get here. Let’s get this party started,” said Will.

I grabbed a drink and went to sit in my travel chair. It wasn’t the most comfy but it sure beat sitting on the hay. The music was good, everyone was talking and having a good time. I had no complaints.

“What’s a pretty girl like you doing sitting over here by yourself?” asked Robert, taking a seat by Lyla.

“Oh, I was just letting everyone do their own thing” I replied.

“I’ve brought something for us to try,” said Robert, reaching into his computer bag.

“What is it?” I asked.

“You’ll see, we are all crashing in the barn tonight right?” asked Robert.

“Well, I mean yeah I don’t want anyone drinking and driving home.” I replied

Robert pulled out a plastic bag.

“Aye yo! Robert brought shrooms!” shouted Troy above the music.

Before you knew it, Troy, Will and a few of the girls were crowded around.

“Ladies first,” said Robert, extending the bag in my direction.

I had never done a drug in my life. Yeah, I smoked cigarettes and drank but anything beyond that? No way, never touched anything else. My main apprehension about trying mushrooms — or any substance, for that matter — was losing control and doing something I would regret. Also I really didn’t want to get caught and in trouble. But, on the other hand, it was an experience I could say I had plus I didn’t want Robert to think any less of me.

I reached into the bag and slowly started nibbling on one of the mushrooms. It tasted… like dirt to be honest. Very earthy.

“It didn’t do anything,” I said.

Robert just laughed and took a shroom out of the bag for himself before passing the bag off to Troy and Will.

“Give it a bit,” Robert said.

Everything resumed as normal. I didn’t really notice anything at first, I was getting really into the music. The colors in the room started getting a little more vibrant, just a bit more vivid. p-

“So, Robert, have you thought about the sleeping arrangement for tonight?” I asked.

Holy crap that was bold of me. I guess my filter was gone from either the beer or the mushroom. I looked up at the ceiling, the corners of the barn seemed to wobble a bit. I didn’t hear Robert’s answer. I grabbed my drink to take a sip and set it back down. My hand was the most interesting thing ever in that moment. I traced my birthmark that I had on my wrist with my finger.

“What are you doing?”

I didn’t recognize the speaker. It wasn’t Robert. I looked around and didn’t see anyone speaking to me.

“Over here” said a voice to my right.

I squinted. Was that-

“Yea, me, the horse. I think you call me Sable but my name’s actually Serene. It’s so good to have someone that’s able to hear me again, Charlie used to come talk to me everyday.”

“I’m… hearing a horse talk.” I said.

“Well yeah, did you think we just neighed all the time? I bet next your going to tell me that Will over here only makes oinking sounds.” Serene laughed and motioned with one hoof to the pig that was by her feet.

“Will… My brother is named Will.” I said.

“Honey, I think your brother was named after a pig. How did you end up in the barn anyway? Said Serene.

“It’s my grandfather’s barn, my brother and I have been helping him out this summer.” I answered.

“Very well, I won’t keep you, you kids look like you are enjoying yourself plus that boy you were talking to is kind of cute. Just don’t forget to talk to me when you are feeding the horse.” said Serene.

“Hey Lyla, I think you should go lay down you don’t look so good. Not that you don’t look good, I mean-” stammered Robert. Robert got up and helped me to my feet. There was a bunk bed in the corner of the barn already prepared.

I don’t remember falling asleep, but I can tell you it was the best sleep I ever had. Looking back, that may have been the best summer I had at the big blue barn.