THE TEST

I went out one last time to enjoy the glow of the full moon. As I sat marvelling at the light shining down, I was startled by the bright glare of lights activated by some mysterious movement. I stared at the area, but couldn't see what had triggered them. I was about to shrug off the search when a fawn slowly crept from the darkness. It cautiously made its way across the gravel drive and was almost to the grassy lawn when it's sibling emerged as well. More wary than the first, it stopped and looked in my direction. I froze, hoping not to startle it, but wondering if it could see me. As it followed along, I waited for the mother who had always accompanied them. She never came. Perhaps I was witnessing some deer final exam. I pictured her standing in the darkness watching her two children pass by the potential threat-me. I kept still as the second form dissolved onto the lawn. Although I couldn't quite see the fawn anymore, I could smell the musky odor of it's presence. At one point, I turned on my flashlight and shone it where I thought I saw a form. Two glowing orbs stared at me. I turned off the light quickly. I didn't hear the usual frantic shuffle of hooves caused by timidness. They knew I was there, but now they had the cautious bravery of adults. As I walked back to the house, I smiled. The two fawns I had seen several times hugging their mother's side had grown up.