Question
I went to check on this today and the message across the screen says short.  
Does this mean the unit has a short?  I cannot get this to work.

Answer
It is more likely that there is a short in the valve wiring, probably either the connections at the valve or at the controller.  First check all of the valve wire connections at the controller, then check them at the valves.  Replace any bad connections with waterproof wire nuts.  It is also possible that there is a bad solenoid at one of the stations.  
After checking the connections remove the power and any battery connected to the controller for 2 minutes, then reconnect, program the controller and see if it is fixed.