by Andrea Young
“So, I’ll meet you back here in an hour?” Finny said.
Joe nodded.
“No, that won’t work. I’ll take him home when we’re done. Ready to go, Joe?”
“Yes. I guess I’ll see you later, Finny.” Joe slid through the fence and pulled the crutches after him. He gave Finny a wave, then turned and followed Elsa toward the Silver Spur barn.
Finny tried to keep her thoughts light but it felt like the air had turned to mud. Joe wasn’t her boyfriend, she reminded herself as she put Sky in his corral. He was just a friend. Sky anxiously weaved back and forth waiting for his hay. He was getting more energetic every day. Finny watched him eat for a moment before she went to feed the rest of the horses. She was tossing a flake of hay to Roman, a small bay Arabian in the last stall, when she realized that Joe was more than a friend; he was a best friend. When he was around she felt right and fine and good enough and pretty enough, or at least being pretty enough didn’t matter. Maybe it was more than friendship. The thought of him with Elsa burned a hole in her gut. Elsa always got what she wanted and Finny knew, without a doubt, she wanted Joe.
Depressed, Finny finished up feeding the rest of the horses, then headed for the end of the drive. Her mom would be there to pick her up and always got mad if Finny was late, even though she, herself, was frequently late . . . or early. Either way, her mom was always cranky about it. Between the twins, her new social circle, and redecorating the house, her mom was busy. The horse stuff was at the other end of town, always out of the way. Her mom thought it was bad enough that Finny worked at Silver Spur, but when Finny told her she had started helping out with the horses at Azure Hills her mother simply shook her head. Finny hadn’t yet told her mom about Sky. She figured she’d ease into the truth in small stages.
It was now 7:20 AM. Her mom was twenty minutes late. Finny sat on the big boulder next to the Azure Hills sign and checked her watch again. She looked toward the Silver Spur barn, then rolled her eyes and shook her head, wondering how Elsa had talked her dad into another groom.
Just then she spotted Elsa’s car driving down the Silver Spur drive. She didn’t want to be seen just sitting here. Maybe Joe would ask Elsa to stop and give her a ride. Finny laughed to herself. Elsa would do it in an effort to not look so mean. Finny could just make out the two occupants. Elsa got to the road. Finny readied herself for whatever would happen when she passed. Elsa turned the other way. The wrong way if she were taking Joe to the trailer park. Finny jumped off the rock and watched as the car disappeared in the distance. She felt her eyes go hot. Where were they going? Why were they going somewhere other than home? Finny paced back and forth and fought back tears. Get a grip, she told herself. She looked at her watch—7:30. Her mom was half an hour late and it was almost dark. Finny made her way back down the driveway to use Vel’s phone.
“Hey, Mom, are you coming?”
“Of course, lost track of the time. I’ll be there soon.”
“Okay, I’ll be at the Azure Hills sign.”
She left the house and walked down the drive. Once at the boulder she got comfortable, let out a sigh, and rested her head in her crossed arms. It was bad enough feeling like the fifth wheel. She hated the constant proof.
At seven the next morning Finny was at the door to the trailer. She knocked softly but Joe, being a sound sleeper, typically didn’t answer. Finny used her key and opened the door. The trailer was hot and stuffy from not having the windows opened last night. They weren’t opened because no one had slept there. Finny checked all the rooms. No Joe and the food hadn’t been touched. He had never come home. Before she knew it tears were streaming down her face. Finny wiped them away with the back of her hand and left the trailer, locking the door behind her. She’d been walking to the trailer each morning so that she could walk with Joe to the barn, since that’s all he could do. Now she wished she had her bike. She’d make it to Azure Hills in fifteen minutes instead of thirty.
In the short time she’d known Joe, Finny had found him to be a set-in-his-ways kind of person. She’d thought for sure he’d come back. Maybe Elsa had a better place for him to live. Maybe he really got to like her and didn’t want to come back. Finny’s thoughts tortured her throughout the entire walk. She arrived at Azure Hills and walked down the drive.
Still teary, Finny dried her eyes for what she hoped was the last time. She’d focus on her horse. That’s what mattered—they never let you down. A sweet nicker of a hello was as warm as any hug.
Rounding the corner of the barn, Finny spotted Joe propped up against Sky’s stall. He was wrapped in a horse blanket, sound asleep. Tears came back full force. Seeing him there, knowing he wasn’t with Elsa, flooded her with relief and pure joy. Finny gave herself a moment to get her emotions under control. She didn’t get it—she was like a nut around him and quickly turning into her most dreaded stereotype.
“Joe.” She shook his shoulder.
“Hey, Finny,” Joe said first thing.
“Did you sleep here all night?”
“Yeah, it was pretty late by the time I got here and my leg was hurtin’.”
“What happened with Elsa?”
“Not really sure.” Joe rubbed his head, grabbed his crutches, and stood. “She shows me her horses, tells me about them, how much they cost, and how much she’d won, but not a word about what she wants me to do no matter how many times I asked.”
“Oh. Where did you guys go? I saw you drive off.”
Joe heaved out a sigh. “Shopping. She said she’d take me back after making a quick stop. This stop was a store and two of the girls from the barn were waiting there.”
“Shopping? For what?”
“Clothes . . . for me.” Joe rolled his eyes. “She said she wanted her groom to look first rate.”
“Oh, wow . . . what did you say?”
“That I don’t want her buying me clothes. The three of them were all gigglin’ and carryin’ on. I was pretty aggravated by then and just wanted to go back.”
“I’m surprised she did that. Could be she was trying to be nice?”
“I don’t think so . . . I’m not sure what it was. She reminded me of my uncle. What he’d do when he was trying to con someone. He’d be all nice—and my uncle ain’t nice. He’d talk big and say all the right things. It worked, too. People believed him . . . it always worked.”
“You think she was doing that?”
“Know she was. I just don’t know why. I asked her to bring me back but it was like talkin’ to bricks. I didn’t know where I was so I just rode it out. Finally she got mad and brought me back here. I don’t think I have a job now,” Joe said the last part with a laugh.
“What made her mad?”
“I refused to try on clothes.”
“Oh, man, Elsa isn’t used to not getting her way.” Finny had to hold back a laugh. “You survived her wrath, though.”
“Barely,” Joe said with mock seriousness.
Finny burst out laughing. “Let’s see if Vel has something for breakfast.” Finny and Joe walked up the back stairs to Vel’s porch and knocked on the door. A justawakened Vel answered.
“Oh, sorry, did we wake you?”
“Yeah, but it’s okay; it was time. What’s up?”
“You know when you said anytime we were hungry to come knock on your door?”
“I sure do. Come on in.”
“Thanks, Vel. We’re hoping to get an early start so we can get everything done before it gets too hot.”
“Sounds smart to me. How do you guys feel about pancakes with bacon and eggs?”
“Sounds like heaven!”
Vel got all the ingredients out of the cabinets and prepared the batter for the pancakes. “Finny, will you grab the bacon?”
“You bet.”
“Joe, do you know how to scramble eggs?”
Joe shook his head. Finny opened the package of bacon and put several strips on a pan. Finny glanced over at Joe. He was standing in the corner, not speaking a
nd not making eye contact.
“Do you want to learn how to make scrambled eggs?” Vel asked. When Joe didn’t answer Finny stepped in.
“Sure he does!” Joe grimaced at Finny, then went to stand next to Vel.
“Okay, Joe, break these eggs and put them in this bowl.”
Joe did as instructed.
“Careful not to get the shells in.”
Joe was more careful and broke the rest shell-free.
“Perfect. Now we add a little milk, a dash of salt and pepper, and use this for the eggs.” Vel handed Joe something he’d never seen before. He looked to Finny and held it up. She motioned with her hand how to use the whisk and Joe repeated it to stir the eggs.
“Perfect. Next we turn the heat on under the pan, put in a little butter. Try to whip them enough to get air in them so they’re fluffy.”
Joe nodded and doubled his efforts.
“How’s the bacon coming, Finny?”
“Getting there.” While letting the food slowly cook, Finny and Vel set the table. Joe diligently stood over the eggs to make sure they didn’t burn.
“Good job, Joe. They look ready. Turn off the heat and put them on the plates.”
“Perfect timing—my bacon is done.”
“I’ll grab some O.J. and the pancakes. Kids, go ahead, sit and eat.” All three crammed around the small table that sat against the window overlooking the horses. Vel’s house was a modest three-bedroom with two baths. Built years ago, its age was obvious, but Vel kept things tidy and clean.
“So what do you kids have planned for today?”
“We’ll feed, muck, medicate, and turn out, then I’ll go to Silver Spur to work.”
Vel noticed Joe had eaten everything in front of him. “I’ll go make some more eggs and bacon.” Finny, still working on hers, thanked Vel.
“How’s the leg?” Vel nodded toward Joe’s brace. He shrugged. Vel scrambled up more eggs and put them on Joe’s plate.
“Thank you.”
“So you do speak.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Vel gave Joe a smile and put the pan in the sink. She saw Joe’s crutches and noted the free clinic’s sticker. Puzzle pieces began to fall into place.
“Joe, I’m guessing you’re a runaway.”
Joe half choked on his eggs. After coughing, sputtering, and a slap on the back from Finny he could breathe again. Joe shot Finny a look.
“What? I didn’t say anything.”
“She didn’t, Joe. I’m sorry to startle you, but it makes sense. The first day I saw you, you had bruises on your face and a split lip on top of older fading bruises.”
Finny looked at Joe with raised eyebrows. She hadn’t noticed older bruises. Joe pushed his food around on his plate but made no comment.
“You’re staying in Finny’s old trailer and your clothes are always the same, not to mention old and worn out.”
“Are you going to call the police?” Joe asked without taking his eyes from his food.
“I was sixteen when I left home. I left for what I’m guessing is the same reason you did, so no, I’m not calling anybody.”
Chapter Six
Four weeks of horse ownership and Finny felt Sky was coming along right on track. No longer in quarantine, Sky now had a choice stall in the barn. Finny took him to the arena. Once there she undid the lead and instantly Sky spun away, blasting off at a gallop.
“Finny,” Joe said, “he shouldn’t pull away like that. You should use a stud chain. He needs to respect you.”
“He’s never done that before.” Joe and Finny watched as Sky raced around the arena bucking and playing.
“Wow, look at him go,” Finny said, breathless.
“Do you know how much he was handled?” Joe asked, leaning on his crutches.
“No idea.” Sky continued to tear around the ring.
“Well, he’s feeling better,” Joe said. “Has energy now that he’s gained some weight.”
“I guess I’ll go catch him.”
“Wait a few minutes, let him get all this steam out of his system.”
For the next twenty minutes the kids watched Sky prance and dance around, his movements fluid and beautiful.
“I think it’s safe now.”
Finny nodded and went into the arena. When Sky saw her approach he trotted to her.
“Joe, did you see that? He came to me!”
“Yes,” Joe said with worry.
Finny clipped on the lead and brought Sky to the grooming area. He danced on the end of the line but soon settled to be groomed.
“Look at him, his coat is really starting to shine and his ribs are disappearing,” Joe said with a pat on Sky’s hip.
Finny smiled and curried away. Joe got comfortable on a chair and brushed out Sky’s now long, luxurious, knot-free tail. After two minutes the horse began to move around and paw the ground hard with his hoof. Joe knew this, too, was a bad sign.
“Why is he pawing? Do you think he’s sick?”
“No, I think he’s irritated because he’s bored. Let’s go lunge him.” Joe grabbed his crutches and the lunge line. He handed it to Finny. She led Sky back to the arena and began to let out the line so he could trot around her. Sky trotted one circle around Finny and then bolted, burning the rope out of her hand. Finny gasped and grabbed her injured palm. Sky, like a maniac, ran around the ring full speed trailing the lunge line behind him.
“Get out of there!” Joe yelled.
“I gotta stop him, he’ll tangle the line around his leg. He’ll get hurt!”
“You can’t stop him. Come out now!”
Finny waited for a break, and when Sky skidded to a stop at the railing, she dashed out of the arena. She turned back and watched him.
“Why is he acting so crazy?”
“I’m not so sure you’re gonna like my answer.”
“Tell me.”
“I think he’s completely wild. I don’t think he’s been handled enough. What looked like a calm, docile horse was a sick, weak one.”
The teens continued to watch as Sky tore up the arena. When he finally slowed to a trot Finny grabbed a pair of gloves, went back in, and picked up the end of the lunge line.
“Try now to lunge him. Get him to move away from you and then stop. Do that like three times. See if he’s at least willing to listen a little.”
Finny clucked; Sky went forward and tried to pull away. It took all her strength not to lose him again.
“I can’t control him, Joe.”
“Try one more time—go then stop. When you stop pull him toward you. Talk to him.”
“Come on, Sky, walk forward,” she made a clucking sound. Sky walked on.
“Now, firm voice, tell him whoa and pull him toward you.” Joe said.
“Whoa, Sky,” Finny said in a loud deep voice. With all her might, Finny pulled. Sky turned and stopped.
“It worked!”
“Doesn’t mean he’ll stay there. Talk to him and bring him out now; let’s get him put away.” Using both hands Finny led the horse back to his stall.
“I’m sorry, Finny. I feel so useless with my bum leg. As soon as I’m better, I’ll help handle him.”
“Don’t worry, you’ve already been hurt once by a horse. I’ll be fine.”
“A horse didn’t . . .” Joe stopped midsentence. He looked at Finny, saw her expression, and wished he could take back what he’d said. Finny put Sky away, then hosed off her still-burning palm at the wash rack just outside the barn.
“How’s your hand?” Joe asked. He felt terrible being caught in a lie to someone he liked so much, whose trust he had earned. Joe knew Finny was upset and couldn’t blame her. She attended to her hand, ignoring him.
Joe sat on the bench at the end of the barn aisle. “I raced horses. Not the races you’d see on TV—these were illegal, back-alley races that weren’t even on a track. They happen after the rodeos close and the crowds are gone. No rules or law applied, just a lot of money to be made if you wo
n. My uncle . . .” Joe closed his eyes, took a breath, and began again. “Losing wasn’t an option. I liked to win, and I did. Enough that the other riders started to threaten me. I thought they were just trying to psyche me out. You know, shake my confidence.” Joe paused for a moment and glanced over at Finny. He took off his hat and rubbed his forehead. “I was wrong. I got jumped and beat on. The last thing I remember was this man standing over me holding a board in his hand; he said my racing days were over. Then my knee exploded. I’m sorry I lied to you, Finny. I won’t ever lie to you again.”
Finny sat by Joe’s side, took his hand, and held it. She felt like throwing up. She wished she knew what to say or do, but sitting with him, staying by his side, holding his hand seemed right, so that’s what she did.
Chapter Seven
“TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY POUNDS IN FIVE weeks.” Finny took the measuring tape from around Sky’s midsection. “Can you believe he’s gained that much?”
“Yes,” Vel said. “He’s unrecognizable from the horse you brought in here.” She gave Sky a rub on his muzzle and admired his now shiny mahogany coat that glistened with dapples and good health.
“No more bald spots, and look at his tail—ever seen one so full and thick?”
Vel gave a chuckle at how proud Finny was about her horse. And she should be; he was beautiful.
“I see champion in him, Vel, I know it’s there.”
“I hope so, honey, I really do.” Vel gave Sky a pat, then headed off to work.
Joe came around the corner sporting a crutch under one arm and a saddle, pad, and girth draped over the other.
“Let’s try the saddle today. Since we can lunge him now with control, it’s time.”
“Where’s your other crutch?”
“By the house. I get around faster on one.”
“You only have one more week. Don’t mess with your knee now!”
“I’m not, I promise.” Joe placed the tack on a rail next to the crosstie. “Go lunge him, get his energy down, and then we’ll put the saddle on.”
