Jockey Girl

by Shelley Peterson

Ring. What if she had to leave a message?

  Ring. Should she hang up?

  Ring. “Hello?”

  “Oh!” she stammered. “It’s Evie Gibb. I —”

  “Evie! Hello dear! This is your aunt Mary.”

  Evie was tongue-tied.

  “Are you still there?”

  “Um, yes.”

  “Are you at home?”

  “No, I, um —”

  “Where are you calling from?”

  “Um, the corner of the ... Fifth Line and Little Creek Road.”

  “Bert’s Variety?”

  “Yes! How do you —?”

  “I’m just a few concessions from you right now.”

  Evie was confused. “Don’t you ... live in Toronto?”

  “My cell number has a Toronto exchange. I live on a farm very close by. Can I pick you up for a visit?”

  Evie thought hard. This was too fast. But it was what she wanted, wasn’t it? “Yes. Where, um, where should I wait? In the store?”

  “Good idea. I’ll be there shortly.”

  “How will I know you, Aunt Mary?”

  There was a slight pause. “I’ll know you. Sad we’ve never met. But we’ll make up for it. I’m old and grey. And I don’t expect there’ll be too many people there on Sunday morning this early.”

  “Okay. I’ll wait here.”

  “Goodbye, dear.” Aunt Mary hung up and so did Evie. The man behind the counter continued his muttering.

  “Well, I never. This girl and that racehorse, I don’t understand. She came out of nowhere and disappeared into thin air. With the horse! Kids today.”

  Slowly, the man’s words sank in. Evie turned to him and asked, “Excuse me? Who are you taking about?”

  He peered at her. “Don’t you listen to the radio or read the newspapers? Are you one of those people that only sees what’s on Facebook?”

  “I, well, I’ve been sick.”

  He nodded and poked the paper with a yellowed fingernail. “Ever hear of a horse called Kazzam and the deaf girl, Molly Peebles?”

  Evie decided it was safer to nod yes than to say anything.

  Besides, she was speechless.

  “They won that Caledon Horse Race, you know?”

  Evie nodded again.

  “By eight lengths! But nobody knew ’em or where they come from. Folks’re yacking about it. Seems they were going under assumed names!” He shook his head darkly. “I don’t understand. If any a my kids did that....”

  “So, who are they?” Evie rounded her eyes and tried to look fascinated, which wasn’t hard. “This ... deaf girl and her horse? Where did they come from?”

  “Turns out Kazzam is a big-time racehorse, a devil it seems, by the name of No Justice. He was a favourite for the Queen’s Plate till he was banned for bucking. And get this! The girl is the rich brat of Grayson Gibb. You heard of him. Maple Mills Stables? How d’ya like them potatoes?”

  “Wow.” Evie was sweating. “Amazing. What’s the, um, deaf girl’s name?”

  “Last name’s Gibb, I’d guess. I didn’t know he had a deaf kid. She hasn’t confessed, but time will run out.” He pointed knowingly at her. “Took off with her father’s horse!”

  Evie gasped, then recovered by pretending to cough. “May I borrow the paper after you’ve read it, please?” She really needed to know how much trouble she was in.

  “Take it. I’m finished.” He folded the newspaper in two and handed it over the counter.

  “Thanks.” She tucked it under her arm.

  “Are you buying anything today or just taking things for free?”

  “Oh! Yes! I’ve got to pick up some things for my mother. I was so shocked by your news I totally forgot!”

  The man looked smug to have been the bearer of such good gossip. He nodded curtly and began to sort the lottery tickets.

  Evie gathered her groceries as quickly as she could and put them on the counter. Peanut butter, bread, jam, orange juice, milk, a box of rolled oats for Kazzam, and a bag of dog kibble for Magpie, plus a tube of antibiotic ointment for the dog’s scraped neck. She put everything on the counter, satisfied that it would do for now.

  As the man added everything up, Evie snuck a peek at the article in the paper. Oh, no! Along with the article was her picture. She stared at Kazzam’s filthy face and herself covered in dirt and smiling with her fist in the air. Not good. Anybody could see through the grime. And even though his white, heart-shaped star was hidden with the face mask, Kazzam had a distinctive jawline and wide brow, and his small ears were unusual — the tips pointed together, almost touching. If a person had seen him once, it would not be difficult to recognize him.

  Evie couldn’t stay here and wait for her aunt. Bert would put her face together with the face in the paper any minute and call the police. She was a wanted woman! Evie had to keep moving.

  She pulled the money out of her pocket and waited for him to make change. Her chest tightened with fear. Time moved so slowly!

  While he was counting out the change, the man stared at her over his glasses.

  Evie froze. Here it comes. She prepared to run.

  “You say you been sick, girl?”

  Evie quickly remembered her lie and nodded.

  “Well, you don’t look so good now. Get yerself home and back to bed and stop spreading yer nasty germs.”

  She nodded again, grabbed the bags, and left the store. Magpie was still outside, thumping her long, skinny tail against the wooden porch.

  “Gotta go, Magpie. Come.”

  “Hey! Girl!” Bert yelled from inside the store.

  Evie almost fell over with fear.

  “You forgot yer change.”

  Evie stepped back inside, grabbed the money, and then took off. She jogged quickly along the road toward the deserted barnyard, eager to distance herself from Bert and his prying eyes. She checked over her shoulder to see if he was following her. Only Magpie.

  Just as she shut the rusted gate behind them, Evie saw a white, four-door truck and a two-horse, goose-neck horse trailer pull up at Bert’s Variety store. She put down her groceries and watched. Even from that distance she could clearly see a tallish, slim, silver-haired woman get out of the driver’s side and stride into the store. She was wearing riding breeches and boots.

  This must be Aunt Mary, thought Evie. But could it be? This woman walked so briskly, and Aunt Mary was actually her great-aunt, her mother’s aunt. Evie expected a cane and bad hips. Maybe even a walker.

  Warm breath rustled her hair. Evie lifted her right hand and cuddled Kazzam’s nose on her shoulder as she continued to watch.

  The woman came back out. She stood on the porch and placed her hands on her hips. She looked up the road and down. Then she cupped her right hand over her eyes and seemed to stare right where Evie stood with Kazzam. Finally, she got in the truck.

  Evie panicked. Should she wave or hide? She was sure the woman had seen them. She picked up the groceries, receded into the shadows, and hid in the shelter, thinking hard. When she’d called Aunt Mary from the store, Evie hadn’t known about her picture being in the newspaper. Would her aunt feel honour-bound to take her back to Maple Mills and her angry father? Is that why she’d come with a horse trailer?

  Evie didn’t know what to do. Could she trust Aunt Mary or not? It came down to that. But how could she trust someone she’d never met?

  She peeked around the corner of the shelter. The white truck and trailer were indeed coming south, in her direction.

  Kazzam, his black coat shining blue in the sunlight, stood in full sight, grazing on the fresh grass in the paddock.

  She could not get away in time if she tried. Evie waited for whatever it was that would happen next.

  Nothing. The truck and trailer drove right by.

  Evie stood up and watched them pass. Now what? Aunt Mary was the only one who could tell her about her mother. Evie had promised to meet her in the store, and she hadn’t kept her promise. Would Aunt Mary want to help h
er now? Evie inhaled deeply to calm her troubled brain.

  She’d think this out later. Right now, she was very hungry and knew the animals would be, as well. She poured some kibble out for Magpie and watched her gobble it up with great appetite.

  The oats weren’t horse oats, but they were better than nothing. Evie found a stick to stir them, as well as an old rubber pail. After cleaning out the cobwebs, she mixed the oats with water, stirred until they were all wet, then brought the pail to Kazzam. He stuck his nose in the pail and ate them all up.

  “Good boy!”

  Magpie stood quietly while Evie smeared ointment on her sore neck. It would heal quickly. It looked like the dog had caught her collar in a fence or on a nail and had struggled to get free, leaving the collar behind.

  Now that her animals were looked after, Evie went back into the shelter, sat down on the burlap bed, and opened the grocery bags. She found another stick and spread peanut butter and jam on a piece of bread. She ate it quickly, guzzled down some orange juice out of the container, and made herself another sandwich.

  “That looks delicious!”

  Evie started. Girl, dog, and horse all stared at the lady in riding clothes, standing beside the maple tree in the paddock.

  “May I have one, too?” she asked, walking toward them. “I’m your great-aunt Mary. I came as soon as you called and had to leave my breakfast in the toaster.”

  Evie nodded dumbly. She handed her the sandwich she’d just finished making. Now what? Is she upset? In a daze, she started spreading peanut butter on another slice of bread.

  “May I sit down?”

  Evie stammered, “Oh! Of course!”

  “Did you want me to find you?”

  Evie blushed deeply, filled with unease. “I didn’t know it was you in the white truck and trailer. I mean, I thought it might be you, but you’re a lot, um, a lot less old than I thought you’d be and you got here really fast.”

  Mary sat and bit into the bread. “So why didn’t you wait for me in the store like we agreed?”

  Evie took another bite and decided to answer truthfully. She pointed to the newspaper. “I saw that article and the picture after I called you. It says who I am and that I disappeared with a horse.”

  “I wondered. I understand. I saw the article first thing this morning, too. Not bad. Chet Reynolds writes well, and he was kind to you.”

  Evie stopped chewing. Chet Reynolds must be the reporter who followed me home after the race.

  Aunt Mary continued, “That’s why I drove past the front lane and came in the back way. I wasn’t sure if old Bert was watching. He likes to know everyone’s business.” She chuckled.

  Evie studied her. Aunt Mary was cool, and she thought quickly. “Thanks.”

  “Great sandwich,” said Mary. “Nothing like PB and J.”

  “I’m glad. It’s all that’s on the menu today.”

  Mary laughed. Evie noticed the multitude of little lines around her eyes, and the grey streaks in the faded blond hair. Her skin was freckled all over, like Evie’s, but wrinkled and loose at her neck and elbows.

  “How old are you?” Evie asked.

  “Just over sixty. I know how old you are.”

  Evie nodded, remembering the birthday card she’d received. “Yeah. Sixteen.”

  They finished their breakfast sitting on the burlap bags. Magpie had gotten over her shyness and rested her head in Mary’s lap, looking up at her with beseeching brown eyes.

  “You do look like your mother, Evie,” said Mary thoughtfully. “That’s a compliment. She’s lovely. Always was.” A brief cloud seemed to pass over her face and then disappear. “Nice dog. Is she yours?”

  “No. She turned up last night and slept with me on this bed.” Evie looked at Magpie fondly. “I guess I really can’t keep her if she belongs to somebody else.”

  Mary nodded her approval. “Good girl. I’ll call the Humane Society and some local vets, and if nobody’s missing her, she’s yours. She might have an implanted chip. A vet can check that out.”

  “Okay. Sounds good.”

  “And what about the horse, Evie?”

  Evie felt suddenly chilled. “What about the horse?”

  “He doesn’t belong to you, either.”

  Evie jumped to her feet. “My father told Jerry to get rid of him by today! I couldn’t leave without him! They all think he’s horrible, but he’s a wonderful horse. He hurts people sometimes, but that’s because they don’t understand him. He’s just afraid!”

  “There, there,” soothed Mary as she stood and put her hand on the girl’s shoulder. “I see the problem. But you must understand. He’s a valuable horse and people might think you stole him.”

  Evie admitted to herself that it didn’t look good.

  “Let’s get Kazzam on the trailer, and you and Magpie and I will drive to my farm. You’ll be far safer there than out here. Somebody else is bound to recognize him if I did.”

  While they were talking about him, Kazzam had strolled up to the two women. Evie patted his nose and thought about what to do. Aunt Mary made sense. “Are you going to call Dad?” she asked quietly.

  “Not yet.” Mary scowled a little. “He’s not my favourite person, and I’m not his.”

  Evie considered Aunt Mary carefully. There just might be a chance of this turning out okay.

  7

  Parson’s Bridge

  Kazzam had loaded easily onto Aunt Mary’s trailer, and Magpie sat happily at Evie’s feet in the front seat. Still, Evie couldn’t help but feel apprehensive as they drove along the road.

  “We’re almost home,” said Aunt Mary as she checked the side-view mirrors to make a turn.

  “It’s pretty over here. Less rocky and more rolly.”

  Mary laughed. “Ho ho, hey, hey! Rock and roll is here to stay!” she sang.

  Evie laughed, too, even though she had no idea what her aunt was talking about.

  “Did you bring your prize money with you?” asked Mary.

  “Yes. I thought I’d need it to visit you in Toronto.”

  Mary glanced at her and smiled. “I have a safe at home, or I’ll help you put it in the bank, if you like.”

  After driving a few minutes more, she said, “My farm is just up this road, but let’s drop in here first. Magpie might be chipped. I see my vet’s in her office today, even though it’s Sunday.”

  Mary parked the rig along the driveway of a small vet clinic attached to a red-brick farmhouse. Magpie looked wary, so Evie got out, too. The black dog leaped down and followed them into the reception room, tail wagging.

  The woman behind the counter smiled. “Hi, Mary!”

  “Hi, Diane. I saw your door open. Do you have time to scan this dog for a chip? My niece just found her.”

  “Ann’s cat was hit by a car and will be here soon, but I’ll give your pup a quick scan first.” She came out from behind the counter with a small hand-held device. Within seconds she said, “I’ve got it.” She patted Magpie’s head and said to Evie, “I’ll call your aunt later when I track down the address. Let’s hope this sweet dog finds her rightful home, whether it’s with you or the person who got the chip put in.”

  Evie knew the vet was right. If she’d been the one to lose Magpie, she’d be heartbroken and would want her returned. But still....

  Mary, Magpie, and Evie got back in the truck and continued on to Mary’s farm.

  “When we get home,” said Mary, “we’ll get No Justice settled and make a quick call to the Humane Society to see if someone’s reported a missing dog. Then I need a coffee or two before I talk to your father.”

  Evie’s stomach did a flip. “I thought you weren’t going to call him.”

  “I said not yet. I didn’t say I wouldn’t call him. You’re his daughter and Kazzam is No Justice — his racehorse. He needs to know you’re both safe.”

  “He doesn’t care about either of us!” exclaimed Evie. Her face flushed as anger tightened her throat. “He wants Kazzam gone,
and he wants me gone, too. I mess up his perfect family.”

  Mary glanced at her sympathetically, then turned up a lane that was marked with a small sign that read Parson’s Bridge. “That may or may not be how your father sees things, Evie. It’s your truth, though, and I can see that you’re hurt.”

  The farm was simple and appealing. The small yellow farmhouse sat to the left of the curving lane, on the far side of a large field. The lane forked, and a little barn was straight ahead. It looked like a four-stall. The boards were unstained, weathered wood. The fences surrounding the fields were split-rail made of old cedar, and there were three very contented-looking horses in the front field. One was a lanky bay, one a sway-backed chestnut, and one a small palomino. Evie much preferred this farm to the ostentatious Maple Mills Stables with the electronic gates and twenty-four hour surveillance.

  Aunt Mary parked the truck beside the barn and turned off the engine. She smiled warmly at Evie. “We have a lot of talking to do, don’t we?”

  Evie liked Aunt Mary so far, but experience had taught her that when in doubt, keep quiet. She wasn’t sure how much talking she wanted to do.

  Mary seemed to sense what she was thinking and added, “In time. We have lots of time to talk after we get settled in.”

  Remarkably soon, all the settling in was done. Kazzam backed off the trailer, looked around, snorted a couple of times, then relaxed as he was led to a grassy paddock beside the other horses. At first, they squealed and pranced and pawed over the fence, but after a while things became calm.

  Magpie and Aunt Mary’s dogs got along right away. She had two labs, a black one named Simon and a yellow one named Garfunkel. The three dogs discovered interesting things to smell and ran around getting to know each other.

  Aunt Mary showed Evie into the little yellow house. Evie quickly decided it was just the right size. The kitchen, living area, and dining area were all one room, and Aunt Mary’s messy pine desk stood over in a corner.

  “Now, I desperately need a coffee. Let’s see what I can put together for a snack,” said Mary. “But let me get my messages first. The bathroom’s right over there if you want to wash up.” She pressed the message button and scribbled down a couple of things on a pad while Evie went to use the little washroom.