Chapter Six #2
“Everyone has to learn how to hand milk before they use the portable machine. If there’s an issue and they can’t be used or we’re down a machine, you gotta know how to do it on your own ’cause they’re on a schedule since some only get milked once a day and the ones who are twice a day gotta be twelve hours apart. ”
He’s explained some of the process to me where some goats will be in a dry period and some are still nursing their babies so they share the milk. But honestly, a lot of the production details go above my head.
“That gonna be a problem for ya, city boy?”
Posey’s voice behind me has the hair on the back of my neck standing up.
I turn around to her smug face. “Of course not. I can handle it.”
Amaya stands next to her, grinning wide.
“Good, ’cause it’ll build a better connection between you and the goat and will make it easier when you switch to a machine.”
“Makes sense,” I agree. “But I didn’t realize I’d have an audience.”
“I couldn’t miss your first time,” Posey muses, crossing her arms and leaning against the wall.
“And I’m here for moral support,” Amaya chimes in.
Those two are as transparent as glass.
“Go wash up.” Emily nods toward the sink.
She’s one of the workers and only a few years younger than Posey, but she’s been more tolerable about me being new and learning about the job.
Once my hands are clean, I go over to where Emily sits on a stool next to the stand.
“Robin’s a feisty one and is usually good during milkin’, but you’ll still wanna watch her legs in case she kicks.”
“Kicks?”
“Yeah, especially if you’re takin’ a while. And you’ll need to watch the bucket so she doesn’t get her hoof in it and spill everythin’. You can use your forearm as a barrier if you need to.”
“Got it.”
“First thing you’ll do is clean the udder and teats. This helps prevent contamination.”
She takes a wipe and shows me what to do. “Don’t be too gentle with the teats or it’ll feel ticklish and then she’ll most definitely kick you.”
I wince. “Noted.”
“You’re gonna wanna get closer and watch my hands.” She glances up at me, and I step toward her to get a better look.
“You wrap your thumb and fingers right above the teat to trap the milk and then squeeze. Don’t pull down. You’ll loosen your grip slightly to let the milk come down before squeezin’ it again.” She shows me, making it look effortless.
I notice the way her thumb doesn’t move, only her fingers on the back. “The first few squirts you’ll do in this small jar to make sure she doesn’t have mastitis and look for blood in the milk,” she explains, quickly examining it before putting the stainless steel bucket underneath the udder.
“In the event it does look weird, you’d empty her out and toss the milk. Then, let Ian know so he can examine her.”
I nod.
“You can do both at the same time or rotate to give your hand a rest in between.” She shows me both options.
“Or if you prefer, you can do one hand at a time. Either way, it should only take three to five minutes per goat. You’ll know she’s done when there’s only a few drops left and the teat will be soft and limp. ”
The worst combo.
As I continue watching her, more milk comes out. Her hands work so fast, I’m not sure how they don’t get tired after continuous movement.
“Ready to try?”
“Um…” I glance over my shoulder at Posey. She gives me a little finger wave with a good-luck-asshole grin. Swallowing hard, I look at Emily. “Yep, I’m ready.”
I’ve built houses, fixed plumbing in old-ass houses, torn out ancient flooring, and knocked down walls without breaking a sweat. I shouldn’t be this nervous to milk a goat.
Emily stands, moving past me, and I sit on the stool.
“If that’s uncomfortable, you can sit on the stand next to the goat. You have longer legs than me, so…” Her cheeks flush, and I notice how close hers are to my knee.
“I’ll give this a try.” I smile in return.
Once my hands are in position, I do as she said. I pinch the teat at the top and slowly squeeze. But nothing happens. I try again, making sure my grip is tighter before squeezing again.
“Try it faster.” Emily leans in, wrapping her hand around one of mine and does the motion for me. She pulls our fingers up, then squeezes down. “It should be one fluid motion from top to bottom. Like this…”
She repeats it, but this time, I do it with my other hand too, finally getting the milk to come out.
“There ya go. Now try ’em at the same time.”
She steps back slightly but close enough to brush my body with hers.
This time when I do it, milk squirts into the bucket. “How’s this?”
“Good, now try doin’ every other and see which one you like.”
The rest in between is nice, but I think I prefer doing them at the same time.
“You’re gettin’ the hang of it,” Emily praises, patting my shoulder.
“In the event the teats point in different directions and the milk isn’t gettin’ into the bucket, you’ll wanna make sure it’s centered underneath and regrip a little so they shoot toward the middle.
If that doesn’t work, you’ll have to do ’em one at a time and move ’round to the other side. ”
“Now do this twenty times in a row and you might be worth keepin’…” Posey taunts, coming behind me.
“It’s the biceps,” Emily hums, giving my upper arm a firm squeeze, and my spine straightens at the unexpected touch. “I bet these can do a lot more than milkin’ goats.”
“Do that again and you’ll get written up for sexual harassment.” Posey’s sharp tongue has my eyes bouncing between them, but I quickly avert them back to my hands.
“I touched his arm, so what?” Emily asks defensively.
“With words of sexual insinuation. Touchin’ him without consent can make for an uncomfortable workplace for all employees.”
“That’s ridiculous. I was praisin’ him for doing a good job, especially his first time.”
“This isn’t a kink club, you don’t need to praise—”
“Maybe y’all should take this conversation into the office,” Ian interferes, carefully wedging himself between Posey and Emily.
Considering I’m enjoying Posey getting riled up over me, I’d rather they stay and see what else she has to say.
“It’s fine. I don’t wanna file a report or cause any issues. I didn’t take offense,” I blurt, hoping to fizzle out the flame.
“See? He knew I wasn’t being suggestive.”
Well…
“My office, Emily.”
Posey walks out, and Emily follows, sighing and rolling her eyes. I’m left with Amaya and Ian.
“Now what?” I ask once the milk starts dripping.
“Now you’ll bring it over here to be filtered by one of the other employees and get the goat down. Bring her back to the pasture and grab the next one.”
“Sounds good.”
By the time I finish with the next goat, Emily returns with a faux remorse expression.
“Silas, I want to sincerely apologize for the sexual implication of your large arms. I promise it’ll never happen again and hope you can forgive me.”
Her words come out genuine, but there’s a glimmer in her eyes that tells me she knows what she’s saying is absolute bullshit.
My gaze flicks to Posey standing ten feet behind her watching us with her jaw locked in place.
“I accept your apology, and of course, forgive you. No hard feelings.”
“Great.” She smiles wide, holding out her hand.
I look at Posey again, wondering if this is a test, and if I’m allowed to touch her.
Not wanting to leave Emily hanging, I shake it.
“Since that’s over…” She steps closer, pulling her lower lip in between her teeth. “Maybe we could go out this weekend? As friendly employees?”
I don’t have to look at Posey again to know she’s shooting daggers at the back of Emily’s head.
The third night at Posey’s house, she finally listed off her house rules, which were mostly me doing all the chores and lawncare, but she never said anything about bringing home company. Plus, Emily’s the only one who’s been nice to me all week.
“Sure, I’d love that. But do you think until I get my first paycheck, you’d mind stayin’ in and watchin’ a movie? Then I promise we’ll go out another weekend.”
“I’m not payin’ y’all to stand ’round and make weekend plans,” Posey scolds.
“I’ll give you my number later,” Emily whispers before walking past me and leaving me with a red-faced roommate who looks ready to kill me.
Or fire me.
Maybe both.