by Ann Hunter
When Hillary finally showed up, Joe had Dejado remount and take Promenade back out onto the track. The trainer and the vet leaned their heads together over Joe’s stopwatch, carefully watching Promenade jog around the turn.
Alex tried to eavesdrop.
“Before, he covered that in thirteen.”
“Maybe he’s just getting better with age.”
Joe shook his head. “You don’t get that good right after a death blow.”
“Are you suggesting it changed him?”
He tilted the stopwatch closer to her. “You tell me.”
Alex gripped the insides of her pockets. What the heck was going on? Promenade had been through enough already, and now something was wrong again? She kicked the ground. Shoot.
When the colt came off the track, Hillary had her turn of inspecting him. She had the same routine as Joe, except she listened to the colt’s heart, lungs, and throat. Hillary nodded wordlessly to Dejado, who dismounted again and led Promenade off.
Alex watched him go, wanting to follow, but needing to hear the verdict more. She lurked nearby.
“I think you’re right,” Hillary said. “But I don’t think I’ve ever seen this before. The virus did something to him.”
“Do you think this will affect the Belmont?”
“It very well could.”
Alex squeezed her eyes shut. What if Hillary said Promenade could never race again? She was sure it would be a crushing blow to her jockey dream. Alex still desperately craved her license, but to never partner with her colt…
“I’ve really only seen it in steeplechasers,” Joe said. “Once in a while you get it in a good racehorse, but to have a virus cause it.”
“Being a neurological disease, it had a neurological impact.”
“He’s still a freak,” Joe muttered.
Hillary chuckled, “I think this makes him super freak.”
What were they talking about?
Hillary turned, as if Alex’s thoughts had been louder than any words she could speak. She squeezed Alex’s shoulder. “Nobody’s dying today,” she assured.
“Is he okay?” Alex asked.
Was that a smile on Joe’s face? Or some weird, smug shadow. He sauntered off as if nothing was wrong with the world.
“He’s great,” Hillary said. “He’s developed a quick twitch reflex. It’s going to help him go faster for longer.”
Alex shook her head as if she misheard. She had something that almost killed Promenade to thank for this? How long would it last? Would it backfire on him like some brain tumor that made you super smart, then killed you when it got too big?
“It’s a bizarre turn of events, I know.” Hillary smiled reassuringly. “But every once in a while, God gives us second chances.”
***
Brooke and Alex met early to work with Venus Nights. The virus had slowed the training of many of the yearlings, forcing workers to funnel their efforts into keeping them healthy.
“We’re heading into June, and a lot of them haven’t been backed yet,” Brooke grumbled.
“You sound like your old man in that tone.”
“Well, it’s true. We’ve only got four months to get them ready for the yearling sales in the fall. That’s not a lot of time when we were supposed to start just as the virus hit.”
“I thought we had all the time in the world with Venus.”
“Reasonably so. Work first, then play.”
Play. Alex smiled, feeling pretty sure Brooke was the only person who felt like she did when it came to training their favorite horses.
Alex tried to be patient as they made their way through the string they’d been assigned. She’d backed yearlings before with Brooke, prepping them for the autumn sales, when Promenade was still a yearling. She couldn’t get over how she’d nearly lost him twice now, and each time they’d come back swinging. To apply that fighting spirit to these young horses gave her a sense of pride in her work with Brooke. Especially since they’d been through a lot together, too.
These babies morphed into racehorses. She’d seen it first hand, and it was amazing to watch. She was glad she’d chosen Brooke to train Venus Nights.
They decided to hand walk her by the track on the way to the paddocks.
The sleek black filly paused by the rail, ears perked. She took in the sight of other horses buzzing along the rail. Her nostrils flared and contracted intelligently, absorbing the smells. Alex laid a hand on her swan-like neck, smiling. “That’s gonna be you in a while.”
Venus swished her tail, then dropped her head to nibble Alex’s hair. She let the filly stay and watch until Venus pulled her along, ready to move on.
Alex and Brooke headed down to the paddocks where Alex turned Venus loose by herself. She flew away like a raven on wing. As the girls leaned against the fence watching her, Alex began to think this was the only thing she had to look forward to all summer when Promenade would be gone. If he did well in the Belmont, Joe would probably want to keep him racing. Pointing Pro towards the Breeders Cup again in the fall might even be an option.
Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. She had Carol and Katie, right? They could go riding together sometime. To head down to Boyd’s Branch and splash around on their horses sounded pretty great.
Brooke and Alex turned their heads when Venus whinnied. Her dam was enjoying the early summer sunshine a few paddocks over. She lifted her head and called back to Venus. The image of Promenade mating with Venus Galaxies came flooding back into Alex’s mind. She frowned.
“What would you do if you saw something bad, that could potentially turn out good?”
Brooke looked at her. “Like?”
“Hypothetically,” Alex blurted, realizing Carol’s big words may have been rubbing off on her too long.
“Don’t bad things usually turn out worse?”
Alex rubbed her face. “Not necessarily,” she said slowly. “I mean look at Promenade and the whole quick twitch thing. The virus was something bad that messed up his nerves just enough to give him some type of weird super power.”
“When you put it that way, it sounds like some sort of weird Heartland superhero spinoff.”
And now Venus Galaxies may very well be carrying a mini super Pro.
Brooke studied Venus Nights as the filly trotted the fenceline. “I guess if you see something, say something.”
Alex’s shoulders slumped. She didn’t want to tell anyone for fear of getting in trouble, but they’d find out eventually when Venus Galaxies started getting fat and extra broodmare-looking. What would Alex say then? Oh, yeah. Promenade knocked her up just before the Belmont.
She was pretty sure she was more afraid of how it would affect his racing career than how much it would get her into trouble. Most horses were retired when their first foals hit the ground. She sighed. Maybe she’d tell them after the Belmont. Second chances and all.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. I just love this horse so damn much.”
BEFORE YOU GO
Sending Promenade to the Belmont sounded like a great idea, until Alex actually had to say goodbye the week before the race. There was this ying-yangy ball inside her as she groomed him quietly. A mix of happy and anxiety pulling at each other. On one hand, she was glad he was going back to doing what he so clearly loved, but on the other… what if he got sick again?
When Joe and Hillary came to look him over, Promenade gleamed like tempered chocolate. Alex had to admire her own handiwork. They helped her cover him in a shipping blanket with North Oak’s colors, and Hillary expertly wrapped his legs for the journey.
Promenade rubbed his head on Alex’s shoulder as she led him toward the trailer that would take him to New York. Morning Glory whickered to him from a few stalls down in the van. Alex felt a little better knowing she was going with him. If Brooke was brave enough to send her filly out again, Alex had to be too.
Promenade entered his shipping stall and tucked right into his haynet, munching contentedly. Alex scr
atched his blaze. A thousand miles felt way too far to be away from him. She tried not to think about the countless nights she’d slept in his stall, helping him fight for his life. Because sending him off like this, ready to take on Black Scotch, was pretty much a frickin’ miracle.
“Time to go, kid,” Joe said in his gravelly voice.
Alex gave Promenade’s ear a loving tug and headed out of the van. Dejado stood outside. They watched the shipping crew close up the doors. She could think of only one thing to say to him.
“Take care of him.”
“You know I will.” Dejado smiled, reaching for her hand. He lowered his voice. “We’ll be waiting for you, Ishmael.”
She locked eyes with him, almost wishing he could stay, but she knew Promenade needed him more.
He let go of her hand and headed off to his truck, following behind the shipping fleet.
Hillary joined Alex, watching the trucks go down the lane to the main gate and head out. “Why don’t you call Carol,” she suggested. “It’s been ages since you went for a ride.”
“Yeah,” Alex sighed. “I guess.”
“It will help keep your mind off him.” Hillary winked. “You’ll see him soon enough.”
Of course she was right. Alex had been away from Promenade longer than a week before, but it already seemed like forever.
Carol was quick to accept Alex’s invitation, and they rode out bareback to their secret grove.
“When was the last time we were here?” Carol asked as she tied Thorne close to the stream.
“Forever ago,” Alex answered. Approved dipped his muzzle into the cool water, taking a long drink. He started pawing the rocks and splashing. A small spray got Carol’s waist wet. Alex laughed. “Sorry.”
She slid from Approved’s back and ground tied him by his buddy.
Thorne bowed his head to take his own drink. Both of the girls giggled when he blew bubbles in the water. Approved inspected them, then Thorne, and tried to mimic him. Instead, Alex was pretty sure he got water up his nose. He lifted his head and sneezed hard, getting Alex good.
Carol pointed her finger at Alex, laughing hard. “Payback.”
Alex jerked. “Gee, thanks,” she said to Approved. He rubbed his wet face all over her shirt, while she tried to push him away. Getting covered in dribbles and horse snot was not on her agenda. “Not sexy, dude.”
Approved snorted and settled into grooming Thorne.
A small patch of sunlight broke through the canopy, illuminating the bluebells that covered the grove’s floor. Alex laid down in it, hoping to dry off. “Why is it every time I’m around Thorne, I get wet?”
Thorne looked at her.
“Yeah, I’m talkin’ ‘bout you, pal,” she said. “First you dump me in the lake, then you teach Appy your new trick.”
Thorne shifted his weight casually, rolling his eyes, as if her accusations meant anything to him.
Carol leaned against a tree giggling.
Alex turned her head toward her. “And what do you have to say for yourself, Miss Daves?”
Carol lowered her eyes, her smile fading slowly. “I’m spending the summer with my Gran in New York.”
“Not you too!” Alex moaned.
“It’s just until August. She has a farm upstate. She’s getting older, so mom and I decided I should go help her.”
“You’re not allowed to leave.”
Carol grinned. “Alex.”
“Fiiiiine,” Alex conceded. “But promise me something.”
“Hmm?” Carol went to sit by her.
“Promise me you won’t change. It feels like everything around here is changing.”
“They say as we get older, we lose our innocence. I hope that’s not us.”
Alex shook her head with a wry grimace. “I don’t think I’ve ever been innocent.”
“I’d wish you stardust,” Carol murmured. “But I can’t stop change.”
“Could we, maybe, just pause this moment then?”
Carol took her hand and linked their pinkies.
***
Even though Carol wouldn’t leave until after the Belmont, Alex still felt like everyone was jumping ship. The only thing she had left to look forward to was her runs with Katie. They’d made the plan that every Saturday, rain or shine, they’d meet at the front gate at ten in the morning.
Alex glanced up and down the highway, before checking the time on her ipod. The occasional car flew past, blowing her hair back. Where was Katie?
Trees rustled in the breeze, cicadas sang in the distance, but no Katie. Alex kicked at a few pebbles, and waited until it started getting too warm before heading back home. Maybe she’d just forgotten.
Alex picked up the phone in the house and called Katie. Each unanswered ring only punctuated Alex’s feelings of being left behind by everyone she cared about. Her only hope was when she got through to voicemail, and left a message.
“Hey Kate, it’s Al. I was looking forward to our run this morning, but I dunno if you forgot, or…” she sighed. “Let’s get together on Wednesday, before I leave for New York. Okay? Same time, same place.”
Right as she hung up the phone, Cade came through the door with groceries. He smiled at her and carted the bags to the kitchen counter. Alex crossed to help put things away. From the looks of it, Cade refused to make more than one trip. There were at least ten bags here.
He placed the car keys on the table and joined her. “You doing okay?”
“Yeah.” Alex grimaced. “I was supposed to meet with a friend this morning, but she never showed up. It feels like everyone is bailing.”
Cade offered her a sympathetic nod. “But it’s exciting, isn’t it? Our beauties bouncing back from the brink of death.”
“You’re being dramatic.” She stuck her tongue out.
“Maybe I am,” he conceded, tossing her an avocado. “Want a sandwich?”
Alex caught it, just before it bonked her in the nose. She tipped backwards. “The pit in here is the size of the hole in my heart.”
Cade laughed, hugging her shoulders. “Now who’s being dramatic?”
She grimaced wryly, but it was no match for the wink he gave her.
“You seen Laura around?” he asked.
Alex shrugged, slicing open the avocado, and spooning out some of it. “No, but I’m sure glad the waterworks are drying up for her. She’s been more mopey, and less,” Alex pitched a whiney voice, “I hate everyone. I’m gonna die. Life is ending.”
Cade chuckled. “We’ll just keep feeding her chocolate bars, and see how it goes.”
Alex hesitated. “Are all breakups like that?”
Cade grabbed a few paper plates, and grabbed a loaf of bread. “No. As you get older, you often just go your separate ways. You’re more amicable. But your first love…” He glanced to her with an expression on his face she didn’t quite understand. “Your first love is always the hardest.”
They assembled their sandwiches quietly, then turned toward the den. “I’ve got about two hours,” Cade said. “Movie time?”
Alex nodded. “Movie time.”
Alex kept herself busy over the next few days with the usual agenda; morning workout rides, mucking stalls, and practicing on Speedy. She was looking forward to Wednesday with the hope Katie would turn up. Laura even offered to take them for pizza after their run, and shopping for Carol’s birthday present. It was the first time Alex had seen her sister acting semi-nice again.
Wednesday dawned bright and cheery. Alex raced through her chores to meet Katie by the front gate. Instead, she was only met by the same lonely echo she’d heard on Saturday— cars whizzing by, birds and cicadas making noise. No Katie.
Alex drug herself back home to call her. It was the last chance she’d have to hang out with her until she got home from New York next week. The Chapman’s voicemail answered again.
“C’mon, Katie,” Alex plied, “pick up. Whatever is going on, you can tell me. Please.” She waited, hoping Katie would ans
wer. “Call me back. I really want to see you before I go.”
MILE HIGH CLUB
Alex did not expect the sight of an airplane to trigger her social anxiety. She felt it kicking in when they entered the Louisville International airport, but to see a plane in person sent her anxiety into overdrive.
She couldn’t even get away from it by hiding behind a pillar. If she turned away from the windows, she faced all the travelers headed to terminals and flocking to gift shops. If she faced the windows, she could only think about sardines in a can.
Laura and Carol came to her aid, joining her around the pole. They flanked her, and every time she turned, they rotated around the pillar with her. They thought it was great fun, but their giggling just made Alex cranky.
“Something that big should not be able to fly,” she muttered, staring at the plane.
“That’s what they said when God made the bumblebee,” Carol said. “Big, fat body. Tiny little wings.”
Laura grinned. “And its puke is delicious!”
Great. That’s probably all Alex was going to think about when the stewardess handed out peanuts, and it turned to peanut butter in Alex’s mouth. Delicious puke roasted masticated peanut slime.
She shuddered. She did not want to get on that plane.
Hillary came over to check on them. “You doing alright?”
“Are you sure it’s not too late to keep driving to New York?” Alex asked. “I’m good with another ten hours.”
“Alex, we’ve been over this. If you’d like, I’ll give you my window seat so you can look out and get your mind off of everything.”
“Right, but there’s also a car rental service here.”
Hillary looked up and sighed. “What I’d give for a Xanax right now,” she said under her breath.
“I heard that.” Alex scowled.
Hillary tried to level with her. “Look, North paid good money for all of us to fly together. He even paid for Carol’s ticket. So one way or another, you are getting on that plane. Capisce?”
Carol’s hand slipped into Alex’s.
