Tullia lay awake and listened as the raindrops splashed on the leaves of the plants outside. She closed her eyes and internalized the soft rhythm, wishing she could will herself back to sleep with the help of the rain. She counted her breaths, in and out, trying to keep her mind still so that she could avoid the day ahead of her. 

All too soon her peace and quiet was interrupted by her two dependents, Gobnat (the goat who needed milking) and Argus (the child who had been abandoned at her doorstep a year ago). The child was fussing in the bed next to her, and Gobnat had begun to bleat outside to let her know it was time to be up. Groaning and yawning, Tullia sat up on the small cot that was her bed and combed through her hair with her fingers while she gathered her motivation to begin the day. 

Beside her, Argus grunted and sat up next to her, his tufts of blonde hair sticking up. She patted the hair down into place and changed his diaper before sitting him on the woven rush mat in the middle of her hovel. Wearing fresh linens, he was happy to play with his toys while Tullia got dressed. 

She placed her milking stool and bucket by the door so she would be able to milk the goat while keeping an eye on the child, and opened the door for the bleating Gobnat. Outside, the rain was falling steadily and she could smell the moisture of the plants and the dirt, a pleasant scent that calmed the soul. While she milked the goat, Argus gradually lost interest in the carved blocks of wood he played with and wobbled over towards Tullia and Gobnat on wobbly legs. 

Tullia smiled as the child walked into the goat and grabbed a fistfull of hair to hold himself upright. Gobnat let out a surprised snort, but held still. The nanny goat adored the child, and was quite used to having him harass her. Argus babbled at the two of them while Tullia finished the milking. Then Gobnat was sent back outside and Argus was set back in the middle of the floor while Tullia stored the milk and prepared breakfast. 

When the porridge was ready Tullia sat down on the floor and gathered the child into her lap to feed him. She would alternate spoonfuls of the mush between the two of them, giving herself an extra bite when he fussed. Then she drank her cup of tea and helped him drink a cup of milk. 

Stomachs full, they both laid back on the bed and listened to the rain that was still falling outside. Argus curled up next to Tullia and was soon fast asleep with her arm around him. Tullia let her mind wander. There was a half finished blanket she had been knitting for Argus. She could work on that today after their nap. Maybe the sun would come out later in the afternoon and they could go play in the garden.