Loaded to Fire

 Buck had been out too many days.  Neglected opening presents while he was so dogged about his work. Now, a full month later, the well was dug, the barn was built,  and finally, the fence was standing tall again, tall enough with a line of barbed wire to discourage anymore would-be climbers.  He laid back against the soft cushions of his couch,  the laptop he’d kept for a while coming to life, and soon with the sounds of gentle strings.  The only lacking part, one could say, would be the form of his lover there, performing for him.  Something itched in his eye, sunk in through his chest, and made it hard to swallow.   Digging into his pocket,  he swipes through his contacts- a short list- and waiting to hear anything past the ringing.