Medi woke up late again, a slow awakening where she gradually regains lucidity and does not stir. She yawned. That had more to do with boredom than need, she was fully rested and not tired at all. Nevertheless, she stretched her tiny jaw as wide as she could manage, even curling her bright pink tongue out and back. That done, she laid still again. Finally, she breathed a huge sigh, filling her grey body to capacity releasing it through pursed lips. There was no need for her to move; she resolved to not move.
A phone’s unfamilliar chime sounded. In the pervasive quiet of the house, it was as loud as church bells and she jolted. Realization hit in the next instant. It was Blackbird’s phone, or more accurately, his friend’s old phone which he had re-chipped with his phone number after he lost his. Medi got to her hooves on the second chime. Her involuntary twitch at the first chime had sabotaged her sedentary ambitions. She flew out of her towel-lined cage to the phone and did a tiny tap-dance on the screen to enter the password. Why it was still called a password when it was a series of numbers had not been answered to her satisfaction, but it was a trivial concern.
The phone brought up the new message. Blackbird had forgotten another platelet donation appointment and they wanted him to reschedule. It was the second time he had forgotten. She shook her head in exaggerated arcs to feel her blue-grey mane sway. It made her humans smile whenever they saw her do that. Lately they weren’t around to see it. She sighed and looked around. The house was still empty. “Don’t worry,” Medi said and patted the phone. “He’ll come back for you.”
She flew up to land on a window sill that she could open. A push unlocked the window, a tug on the attached cord opened it a crack. Then the real work began; pulling, tugging, lifting, and squeaking out the occasional ‘power words’ until she could finally wedge her backside under the window. Now her hind legs were positioned for maximum effort, and with a final grunt, she opened the window far enough for her.
Panting, and sweating a tiny bit, she sat and stared out, feeling the warm, mid-morning, breeze flow over her. The birds weren’t singing much anymore, it would be hot soon. It was another summer day. She smelled the dry air and all the outside smells of grasses and drying wildflowers. The seasons had changed, and still were changing. The next breeze blew hot over her fur. She had to make a decision, but she was comfortable on the sill for the moment.
“Do you want me to close that?” The voice startled her and she jumped with a squeak. Blackbird took a step backward and raised his hands up to his chest in a half-surrender pose. “Sorry, I’m used to you hearing me approach.”
Medi sat down again, and patted her chest with a hoof. “S’okay, but you did get me good.”
He nodded and apologized again. “It’s pretty hot outside already, and it’s going to get hotter.” He gestured to the window, “Do you want me to close that?”
Medi stared at the window and beyond, “the heat makes us choose,” she whispered.
“What?” Blackbird said. Understandably confused. He was not privy to her thoughts. She too wasn’t truly aware what she was thinking until just then. The season had changed. Would she?
“I said, the heat makes us choose.” Medi said in a flat tone, unenthusiastic, but resigned.
Blackbird looked concerned, but mostly still confused. He scratched his head and knitted his brow in the cliche thinking pose. “So… You want the window left open?”
“When summer comes, herds move in great dusty formations to find food and water. All of them move, none are left behind,” Medi continued, “but pack animals don’t. When summer comes, they stay in their territories, when things get tough the young adults have to leave.” She turned to look up to Blackbird. “Human’s are pack, ponies are herd.”
“Yeah, I suppose.” Blackbird agreed slowly, realization was dawning on him. “You’re thinking of leaving?”
“You’re here for your phone. It’s on the kitchen table.” Medi said and turned back to the window. “You got a message, you forgot your platelet appointment yesterday.”
“Oh, thanks,” Blackbird said, reflexively turning to the kitchen and spying the black case. “I can’t believe I left it again.”
A hot breeze blew in and pushed a napkin to the floor. “Medi, will you shut that? It’s far to hot outside now.” Blackbird bent over and swept up the napkin to return it to the table. “Medi? Do you want me to shut that?“He walked out of the kitchen and stared at an empty window.
Once again, a hot breeze blew.
