Sundancer

by Shelley Peterson

  Bird went out to the field and caught Sundancer when she knew Hannah was watching. She led him into the barn, brushed him, and tacked him up. When she placed her saddle on his back, Hannah appeared to remind her not to ride alone. Bird laughed.

  “You got me, didn’t you, Bird?” Hannah said smiling. “Well, I’ve got news for you. I wanted to start you on jumping lessons, anyway. If you’re riding so well in secret, you’ll be brilliant with help.”

  Bird took the horse by the bridle and walked him into the arena. She casually led him to the mounting block and swung her leg over the saddle.

  Today, I feel good, Bird girl. I’m happy you’re riding me.

  That makes me happy, Sundancer.

  We’ll be together as one.

  My brain and your legs.

  I have a brain, too, Bird girl.

  You think I can forget that?

  “Warm him up, Bird. Today we’re going to teach Sundancer about doing courses. Going over poles and through jump standards is the first step in teaching him to jump.”

  While Bird trotted Sundancer in large and small circles, Hannah set down four trotting poles in the middle of the arena. She put jump standards beside the poles to get the horse used to going through them when it came time to actually jump.

  “Okay, Bird, keep that nice steady pace and trot him over these poles. Look straight ahead, not at the poles. He’s the one who has to figure out where to put his feet, not you. You set the pace and direct him right through the middle. He’ll do the rest.”

  Bird trotted Sundancer in an even trot, and came around the corner.

  “Look in the direction you’re turning, Bird.”

  Bird looked over the poles. Sundancer turned perfectly and trotted over the poles.

  “Perfect, Bird. Perfect. Okay, come through again.”

  Bird trotted around the ring, again turning toward the poles. Again, she did it perfectly.

  “Great! Now, Bird, trot him around and come over the poles from the opposite direction.”

  This is getting boring, Bird girl.

  Relax. Hannah thinks she’s teaching us. Make her happy.

  Harrumph.

  Bird executed the poles perfectly.

  “Honey, you’re fabulous. You keep trotting. I’m going to put some poles down over here.” Hannah laid four poles on the ground with standards on either side, heading sideways to the other poles. “Come on through, Bird.”

  Bird trotted over the poles, eyes up, steady pace.

  “Good! Now continue around and go over the other poles coming toward me, then turn left and do these again.”

  Bird did exactly as she was told.

  Time to jump, Bird, before I explode.

  We will, we will. Just be patient a little longer.

  “Bird, you’re listening carefully, and riding beautifully. Your hands are light and your legs are tight. Walk him for a minute or so, and I’m going to set up another set of poles.”

  Not more poles!

  Patience, Sunny.

  Hannah created a course of four sets of trotting poles, and explained how she wanted Bird to do them.

  After Bird trotted through the course, Hannah asked her to go in the opposite direction, and then mixed it up again. Bird and Sundancer completed every possible combination of trotting poles. “Bird, I’m impressed. Walk him around until he’s completely cool, and we’ll call it a day.”

  Hold on. Surely we’re not finished, Bird girl? I want to do some jumping!

  Right you are.

  Bird made an arc with one arm and jumped over it with her opposite hand. Then she smiled hopefully at Hannah.

  “You want to jump?”

  Bird nodded eagerly. “Today?”

  Bird nodded harder.

  Hannah looked at her watch. She considered this request. “Why not? We may be rushing things a little, but let’s go.”

  Bird grinned. Little did she know.

  With two poles, Hannah made a low X jump between one set of standards, and rolled the other two poles to either side, for ground lines. “Trot at the same speed you were going before, Bird, and canter away when you land. Everything’s the same. Look over the jump at the arena wall, not at the jump.”

  Baby stuff.

  Just do it and stop complaining.

  Bird did exactly as she was told. She trotted straight at the X, looking ahead, not down. Sundancer lifted his legs over the jump. Bird went with him, cantering away upon landing.

  “Way to go, Bird!” came a voice.

  “Hooray, hooray!” came a higher one. Bird’s eyes searched the arena. Sundancer was unpreturbed. He knew people were there all along.

  “Three cheers for Bird!” This was a man’s voice. “Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray!” There were several voices, chiming together, and Hannah and Bird finally located the spectators, huddled in the hayloft: Eva, Randy, Julia, and Kimberly.

  “Put up another one!” called Kimberly.

  “Yeah! Put up another one!” agreed Julia.

  Yeah! I’ll show them what I can do!

  Bird smiled broadly. She looked at Hannah expectantly.

  “Only if you all come down and sit in the seats where we can see you,” said Hannah.

  “Okay, we’ll come down,” called Eva. “But admit it, Hannah. You wouldn’t have let us watch if we’d asked.”

  “You’re right.”

  They settled on the benches behind the kickboards. Hannah had one more request. “Even though you’re not hidden anymore, please keep just as quiet. Bird doesn’t need distractions. Although he looks like a pussycat, Sundancer has injured and frightened nine professional horse trainers. Ten if you count me. Bird is making it look easy.”

  Everyone quietly nodded their assent.

  Hannah set up an X at the far end, and asked Bird to trot to the first X, canter away to the far X, land in a canter for three strides, then slow to a trot, then stop.

  Piece of cake, Bird girl.

  Bird did precisely as she was told. The audience clapped. Sundancer turned to look at them, then bowed his head to the ground, bending his knees into a curtsey.

  “Holy!” cried Kimberly. “He bows! Like Dancer used to, remember?”

  Bird was amazed. Everyone knew how the famous Dancer bowed after great performances, but until this minute, she had no idea that Sundancer did.

  Show-off!

  Why not, Bird girl? They’re here for a show.

  “I guess we don’t applaud unless we want him to bow,” said Hannah. Julia started clapping as loud as she could, and Kimberly joined in. Sundancer dropped his head, bent his knees, and bowed again.

  “Cool!” exclaimed Kimberly. “I don’t believe it!”

  “Believe it,” answered Hannah with raised eyebrows. “We don’t want him to dump Bird by mistake.”

  Hannah set up the remaining two sets of trotting poles into Xs, and explained to Bird how she wanted them ridden. Once again, Bird executed Hannah’s instructions perfectly. It seemed that Sundancer could do no wrong.

  “We’re finished, Bird. Well done! Now, cool him out.” Hannah looked at the group of expectant onlookers and said, “Applaud!”

  Eva, Randy, Julia, and Kimberly clapped their hands and cheered. Again, Sundancer bowed. Bird patted his neck, then reached down and hugged him.

  Thanks, Sunny. You made me look good.

  Are you kidding? This was way too easy. Give me something worth jumping.

  We will soon, Sunny, don’t worry. I want to jump big, too.

  “Bird, you were fabulous,” called Eva.

  “You’re just like your mother,” added Randy. “A real horse nut.” For a moment Bird was confused. She looked at Eva, who registered nothing. Then she remembered. She wasn’t supposed to be Eva’s daughter. She was supposed to be Hannah’s. She looked at Randy and managed a weak smile. It wasn’t his fault. He was trying to pay her a compliment.

  I’m not like my mother at all. And I don’t want to be. Bird turn
ed away from the little group of spectators and patted Sundancer’s neck. One day we’ll show her. We’ll show them all. Just you and me, Sunny. Watch out, world.

  You betcha, Bird girl.

  She knew this animal had big talent. How high he could jump was anyone’s guess, but Bird expected that he could do the four-foot amateurs easily, and probably higher. Bird imagined being on his back as he cleared the big jumps with ease, imagined Eva watching from the stands, proud to call Bird her daughter.

  Bird walked Sunny around the arena, cooling him out. The audience had disappeared. Why should I care what she thinks? wondered Bird. Why do I care about her at all? I’m glad that I live here, with the horses, with Sunny, with Hannah. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. It’d be nice to have Julia live here with me, though. She’s my sister and I love her. Bird shook her head. Enough. She wasn’t going to let Eva ruin one more minute of her day.

  Bird slid off and began to run up her stirrups.

  Bird, let me show you something.

  What?

  How high I can jump.

  Now?

  Why not? It’ll cheer you up.

  Bird listened closely as Sundancer told her what to do. She put the first X up a foot higher and changed the second X into a three-foot vertical. The third X became a three-and-a-half-foot oxer, and she hiked the final X up to four feet.

  If you have trouble on the first, I won’t send you to the second.

  Don’t insult me, Bird girl. Bring it on!

  Bird climbed back up into the saddle, and trotted Sunny toward the first X. It was effortless. They cantered on to the three-foot vertical. With no hesitation at all, Sunny lifted himself over it. Bird looked at the three-foot-six oxer and steered him at it. Sunny sat back and leapt with inches to spare. Now Bird turned the corner and cantered toward the four-foot X. She kept the pace exactly the same, relaxing Sunny and staying focused. Over they went, as smooth as silk. Just for fun, Sunny let out a kick, and Bird laughed out loud with joy. She leaned over and gave his neck a pat.

  What did I tell you, girl? This is small stuff.

  Four feet is nothing for you. The sky’s the limit!

  It cheered you up. Admit it.

  You betcha, Sunny. Nothing like jumping to chase away the blues!

  Hannah stood at the arena gate in shock. Bird saw her, and stopped the horse.

  “That was fantastic, Bird. I mean, I’m speechless.” Bird smiled.

  “Fantastic,” Hannah repeated. “Tomorrow we’ll jump some more, but honestly, Bird, it’s not safe for you to jump alone. Especially jumps this size.” Hannah smiled and shook her head in disbelief. “I’m amazed. I don’t know what to say. We’ll come back tomorrow, but now I need you to clean up for dinner. Gran and George are here and Gramps is on his way with his new girlfriend.”

  Bird nodded and slid to the ground.

  “And Bird?” Bird turned. “Look at me. You must not jump Sundancer unless I’m here with you. Agreed?”

  Bird nodded again. She had her fingers crossed, just in case.

  EVERYONE WAS IN THE living room with drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Bird had disappeared from sight when the guests arrived and hidden herself in the old sideboard. It was a perfect hiding place because it had peepholes created by missing knobs. Earlier, while arranging the centrepiece, she’d moved the spare table linens and napkins to make a perfect nest for herself.

  Through one of the holes, she watched Hannah carry in a tray of hot appetizers from the kitchen and offer them to her guests. Hannah was flushed from the heat of the oven, but more from anxiety, Bird knew. She looks like she’s waiting for punishment. She’s like that around Gramps, not anyone else. Her laugh sounds different. Forced.

  Bird’s grandmother, Jean, was dressed in a very expensive navy linen pantsuit with a white camisole underneath. Her pale blonde hair was puffed into a grand helmet, and at her perfumed throat hung an appropriate strand of pearls. Very proper and controlled, Bird thought. Perfect in every way, and expects others to be perfect as well. George looked almost nautical, Bird mused, in his grey trousers, navy blazer, and paisley cravat. Stuffed and stuffy. What was left of his hair was snow white, and since they’d arrived, he’d referred to his gold watch several times. It was clear that he didn’t want to be there. Bird smiled in sympathy.

  Kenneth Bradley — father to Hannah and Eva, grandfather to Bird and Julia, ex-husband of Jean — had decided at the last minute not to bring his new young girlfriend. Smart move, acknowledged Bird. The last thing this party needed was more tension. Her grandfather had chosen the biggest armchair in the most prominent place as his own. A permanent scowl sat on his face, making it impossible to tell if he was pleased or not. Bird studied him closely. He was aging badly. His face was red and puffy, and his belly hung over his pants. He’d retired as master of foxhounds several years earlier but still considered himself an expert horseman. The way his eyes brightened and his face beamed whenever he looked at Eva was not lost on Bird, especially compared to the bored stares he gave Hannah.

  Randy crossed his legs, careful not to crease his pants. He obviously felt well dressed in his choice of clothes — orange cotton shirt and designer tan pants. He glanced at his glossy brown leather Bass Weegen loafers with pleasure and sipped on his Scotch. He appeared content. Not for long, Bird beamed from her hiding place. She had big plans for him.

  Eva and Julia wore matching outfits in shades of pink: short pink pleated skirts with matching low-cut pink sailor blouses with hot-pink ties, tall pink knee socks and white Mary Jane shoes. They looked to Bird like Barbie and Barbie Mini-Me. Eva’s curled hair was held off her face with a white hair band, and Julia wore a ponytail with a white bow. Julia’s hair fell straight, a sore spot for Eva, because she’d come in from the barn with too little time to have it curled. That gave Bird some satisfaction, but she still felt awful for her sister.

  Eva passed mini-sausage rolls with mustard dip, making sure that she bent low when serving the men. Bird gritted her teeth. Why does she need to do that? She’s just like a spoiled cocker spaniel when she’s around Gramps. If she had a tail, she’d wag it.

  Stuart stood at the window with Paul and Alec. All three had cleaned up nicely, Bird noticed, with their jackets and pressed pants and shined shoes. Alec looked awkward in his best clothes, but he was still handsome. Kimberly stood beside him, talking animatedly about something that was making Alec laugh. Kimby had borrowed a mint-green cotton summer dress from Bird because she’d arrived only with her barn clothes. It looked nice on her, and Bird was happy to lend it, but she secretly wished that Alec wasn’t enjoying her company so much.

  For the moment, everyone seemed to be having a good time. And it’s only going to get better, thought Bird with a tingle of excitement.

  “Julia, my girl! Come sit on your Gramp’s knee,” barked Kenneth Bradley, patting his leg. “You’re getting to be such a big girl, and as pretty as your mother.” He tried to force his face into a smile, but to Bird the result was a bit frightening. Julia must have thought the same, because she hadn’t moved from her position across the room.

  “Julia, do as Grandpa says,” Eva scolded, plopping the sausage rolls on Hannah’s tray. She threw back her head so her hair bounced. “I always sat on my Daddy’s knee, didn’t I, Daddy?”

  “You surely did, my sweet sugar pie.” He patted both knees. “You come sit, too. For old times.”

  Eva took Julia by the hand and dragged her over to Kenneth. She lifted Julia onto one knee, and then perched saucily on the other. “Isn’t this fun, Julia?”

  Julia looked miserable. Bird couldn’t watch any longer. It was time to do something, time to put her plan into action.

  “I always liked you in pink, Eva.” Kenneth proudly assessed his daughter.

  “I know you did, that’s why I wore it. You still do, don’t you?”

  “You know what I like, sugar pie, and I sure like pink.”

  Bird slipped out of the sideboard and down the hall towar
d the mudroom. She worked quietly, listening to the ridiculous conversation as it went on and on. She wondered briefly what the other guests thought. Especially Alec. She hoped he didn’t think it too weird.

  Eva continued giggling. “And doesn’t Julia look nice in pink, too?”

  “She surely does.” Kenneth nodded and grinned. “Makes me think of you as a child.”

  “Are you saying that we look pretty in pink?” Eva prompted.

  “You look more than pretty. You look delicious! Good enough to eat!” Bird heard a great roar, followed by pretend gobbling noises. Eva shrieked with laughter.

  It was time to make her entrance. She walked down the hall with Hector waddling happily by her side, then stood quietly at the doorway, waiting. It didn’t take long for the guests to notice her. She had painted her entire body bright pink, and had streaked pink poster paint through her chopped hair. She wore an outfit made from pinned-together scraps of tan and plaid fabric. Beside her stood Hector, eyes bright and tail wagging, proudly wearing a Burberry dog coat.

  Hannah was the first to react. She dropped the tray of cheese balls and sausage rolls. Hector lunged for them hungrily.

  Kimberly shrieked, “Bird looks pretty in pink, too!” Alec and Julia giggled hysterically at the outrageous sight.

  “My coat!” sputtered Randy. “My belted Burberry!” He ran to the closet, whipped it open, confirmed that it was gone, then turned back to Bird in horror.

  Randy glared at Hannah. “Hannah! Your daughter has destroyed my coat. What are you going to do about it?”

  At the sound of the raised voice, Hector lifted his head and looked around. Quickly, he slipped out the back door, coat and all, sated with sausage rolls and cheese balls.

  Bird looked at Hannah, willing her not to play along. This is Eva’s problem. Let her deal with it. She turned her attention to Eva and waited for her to make a move.

  Eva slowly stood up and rearranged her clothes. She said nothing as she busied herself with putting each pleat of her skirt in order. Bird stared at her mother, completely shocked. She wasn’t going to say anything! She was going to stand in a roomful of people and let Hannah take the blame for her bad behaviour. She felt a noise gathering at her throat — a cross between a growl and a scream — and looked around for something to throw. There must be something.