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When I was younger, like every kid i longed for summer. My summer vacations were usually trips to Texas to spend it with my grandparents.
I can remember opening the covered screen door that sealed in the cool air conditioned house and steeping out into the dry heat of the Texan plains.
From inside i could hear my grandmothers sweet southern accent, "You stay out of the field today. Your pawpaw is movin' the herd" fade as the door slammed behind me.

The brown grass crutched beneath my little feet. I looked up. The sky was gray with summer showers rolling in. I inhaled the sweet smelling air. Nothing but open space to roam free, except the three foot iron fence that kept the cows in the pasture.
I looked over my shoulder to see if my grandmother was watching. Reassured i was alone i made my way under the fence and quickly ran to the patch of trees in the middle of the field.
I went to my usual spot next to the creek hidden behind the trees. I couldn't have been there more than 15 minutes when i saw it coming ever closer. The bull was left behind.
I froze. "Don't move. Just don't make any sudden movements. Maybe it will go away." I told myself. The clouds began to get darker as lightening streaked across the sky.
Now it was a battle of wits. "Grandma is gonna be mad if i don't get in before the rain starts. But then again do i risk an encounter with this beast." Thoughts raced in and out of my mind. The bull stood staring at me. The clap of thunder startled the bull, which in turn scared me and i was off.
"Just keep running. Don't stop!" I kept telling myself with every step closer to the fence. Then i saw her, arms crossed standing on the porch.
The breeze carried her voice. "Child, you best be getting over here!" I knew a whipping was coming. I tried to pick up the pace as my foot landed a fire ant hill.
I screamed as the ants bit into my toes and ankle.
But the pain in my foot was nothing compared to what happened next.
racing to beat the rain and swatting the stinging ants i stepped onto the first bar of the iron fence.
The ground rumbled as the white animal closed in on me. I had no time to react, i was airborne. I opened my eyes and saw my grandmother standing over me.
"I warned you not to go in there today. I would whip you for disobeying me, but it looks as if Simon already made his point."
I looked behind me as i hobbled into the house. The bull stood there eyes staring straight at me as if to say, "This is my territory"

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