Cowgirl Strong

by Jenny Hammerle

  “They’ll take care of him in prison.” Shannah huffed. “That breaks even their code of conduct.”

  “For sure.” Rachael answered. “We better get to class. I hope Alex is okay.”

  “She hasn’t texted me since this morning. All she said is he was going down.”

  “She must’ve known it was coming.”

  The three scurried off in different directions for their classes. A few hours later they arrived to the lunch room and there was still no sign of Alex or Fred either. Wherever she was, he must be with her.

  The minutes slowly ticked by and they became more and more worried. After school they met up in the locker room once more to change for dance practice. Everyone dressed in silence. By now word of the school scandal had spread to the entire team. Alex and her whereabouts occupied their every thought. Elena was there, one locker over from Rachael. She didn’t say a word.

  After initially seeing her as competition, she and Alex had become the best of friends. She’d ended up dating Bobby all year and was scheduled to return home in a few short months. Rachael considered her own move from West Palm and how life altering that had seemed at the time. That was nothing in comparison to what Elena would experience. Could she and Bobby’s relationship really last separated by an ocean?

  Everyone respected each other’s need for quiet. No one asked questions because no one had answers. It was a bleak afternoon filled with doubt and uncertainty. One by one the team filed out of the locker room toward the rehearsal room. Basketball season was underway and their halftime routines were rehearsed indoors. No grass or mud, nor heat nor bugs, plagued them like during football season and while Rachael normally relished her afternoons spent dancing, today was different.

  Shannah and Maysie walked beside her, carrying their stuff. Alex’s absence brought to mind, for Rachael, the absence of two other dancers- Honey and Misty. The last she knew about them was that Honey’s mother had yanked her out of school and sent her away to boarding school. Misty had gone into some drug treatment center. They’d all but vanished, beginning with them dropping off the team and then just going away altogether.

  “I feel really badly about it.”

  “About what?” Shannah asked.

  “The whole Honey and Misty thing. They quit the squad and then now they’re just gone. Look how worried we are about Alex. None of us has even concerned ourselves with the other two.” Rachael lamented.

  “We tried to help Honey. Remember? And that didn’t end well.” Maysie reminded them.

  “She’s right.” Shannah added.

  “Yeah- but she’s in boarding school now. Her parents did intercede on her behalf and I have to believe that was in part due to Maysie reaching out to her mother. After they ditched Misty at my house and ran for the hills, Mrs. Baxter called and ratted Honey out. Because of that Honey’s life will be different.”

  “In a good way.” Maysie nodded.

  Rachael contemplated Misty. “I mean, look at us. None of us has had any concern at all over Misty. She’s been in rehab for the better part of a schoolyear.”

  “That’s because she is a B.” Shannah corrected. “Don’t beat yourself up over Misty. She’s where she needs to be.”

  “I know, but doesn’t even she deserve our kindness?” Rachael questioned.

  “I can’t believe after all she’s done to you, you want to be her friend?” Shannah asked.

  “Not her friend, but to show her some…empathy.”

  “Maybe she’s right.” Maysie commented. “Maybe it’s time for a little forgiveness and healing.”

  “You couldn’t pay me to go.” Shannah protested. “Unless, of course, I was armed.”

  “Come on. I’m not saying we’d become best friends with her, trust me. I don’t want her around Travis- as in ever. I’m just suggesting we take her a balloon and flowers.”

  “I’m in.” Maysie answered sweetly.

  “I’m in, although I think it’s possibly the worst idea either of you has ever had.” Shannah added.

  The girls stood outside the dance room. Two other dancers were missing and there was a note posted on the dance room door.

  Practice is canceled for the week. See you back here after Spring Break.

  The girls turned and headed to the parking lot. Travis pulled out of his spot and stopped when he saw them walking his way. Michael and Levi waited at the picnic tables. They ran over.

  “No practice?”

  “Nope. Some strange stuff is going on.” Shannah answered them.

  Travis walked over.

  “Can you run them home?” Rachael asked in Travis’ general direction.

  “Will do. Where are y’all going?”

  “We have something to take care of.”

  “I’m not sure I like the sounds of that.” Travis clenched his jaw.

  “She’s making us reach out to Misty. I’m going on record now to say I think it’s dumb with a capital D. Dumb.” Shannah commented. She held her hands up. “My only reason for going is back-up. They’ll need muscle, and that’s me.”

  Travis didn’t ask anything further and led the boys away.

  Rachael and Maysie ignored Shannah’s griping and climbed in the car. Shannah hopped in the backseat.

  The rehab facility where Misty had spent the last several months was an hour away. They turned the radio up to their favorite country station 103.5 FM and sang along. At the long driveway, they pulled in and parked in the near empty parking lot.

  They walked in through the sliding glass doors. Rachael hadn’t been sure what to expect, but this wasn’t it. The floors were wood and there was a large seating area out front filled with oversized furniture and a flat screen television. The windows were large and offered exquisite views of the forty acre expanse that made up the grounds outside. Residents walked freely about, talking and visiting with their guests.

  “This is nice.” Maysie offered pleasantly.

  “For a looney bin.” Shannah observed.

  “It’s not a looney bin. She’s not crazy, she’s in rehab. This is a private facility.”

  “Private or not, don’t be fooled. That girl’s crazy.”

  Rachael nudged them both toward the check-in desk. A pleasant girl in her early thirties greeted them and asked them to sign in. She explained that she was the house Mom. She gave them directions to Misty’s room down near the end of the hall.

  Rachael’s heart pulsed in her ears. She felt as if she’d come to confront her enemy…while extending an olive branch and waving the proverbial white flag.

  Was it possible to do all of these things?

  Outside Misty’s door, they knocked lightly. She responded, “Come in.”

  They stepped into her room. She sat painting in the corner. She’d regained most of her weight, and her hair was long and pretty once again- hanging to about shoulder length. Her eyes sparkled and she grinned at the sight of them.

  She stood up and came over to hug Maysie, then Shannah, and finally Rachael.

  “Thank you for coming. I haven’t had many visitors.” She walked over to her small dinette. The room was set up more like a small studio apartment than a bedroom. She had a single sized bed, a small kitchen, a sitting area, and a small dining table.

  “Please sit.”

  She fixed them each a glass of lemonade and set it down in front of them. She pulled a chair out for herself and joined them.

  “You look terrific.” Rachael began.

  “Thank you. I’ve been here for a few months now. Rachael…thank you. You saved my life. My mom told me how you dialed 9-1-1 and helped me, when the others just…dumped me out at your house. In life there are people who you think are your friends. Then you go through something like this, and you learn they aren’t.”

  Everyone was at a loss for words. Misty was changed somehow. Her brush with death, perhaps time spent alone, she’d grown.

  “I was glad to do it.” Rachael didn’t elaborate.

  Maysie reached over and
held Misty’s hand. “What are your plans?”

  “I’ll be out of here in two more months. I’ve got enough credits, that if I take a math class and one English class this summer, I can get my diploma. Then, who knows? I’d love to go to art school in the fall, stay close to home. I’ve realized I’ll need my parents support to move beyond this. Without them I couldn’t have made it this far. They’re helping me.” She paused, looking down. “I haven’t always been a good or even a nice person. I hope that you can all forgive me. I’d planned on coming to see each of you when I get out of here.” She sighed, “And ask for forgiveness for the horrible things I’ve said and done to each of you, especially you Rachael. I don’t expect us to be close friends, but I will never behave toward you like I did before.”

  “Thank you.” Rachael answered.

  “We all appreciate your apology.” Shannah interjected. “I feel better us getting it all out in the open.”

  “I feel better knowing if I see you on the street you won’t kill me.” Misty teased.

  “Of course not. We aren’t those kind of girls, anymore.” Maysie directed her attention to Shannah. “We better go.”

  Maysie stood and fished a jeweled book out of her bag. She handed it to Misty. It was beautiful with elaborate rhinestone and silver beading along the front and corners. “It’s a Bible. I think it’ll help you on your journey.”

  Misty grasped it and stood to hug her goodbye.

  Outside the building, the girls walked to Maysie’s car.

  “What do you say now?” Maysie asked Shannah.

  “Went well. I’ll admit it, but I’m still on the fence about her. Either she’s acting or she’s changed.”

  Rachael and Maysie laughed, knowing Shannah was right. Misty’s journey wasn’t over and they all hoped she’d be able to stay the course after she returned home. No one expected it to be easy, but for her sake they hoped it would all work out for the best.

  On the way home, Maysie’s phone chimed. She handed it to Rachael.

  “Check that. I’m driving.”

  Rachael swiped the screen and read the text.

  “It’s from Alex. She’s fine. She’s been at the police station with her parents. She can’t really discuss the details of the case other than to say he propositioned her and nothing happened. A few other girls weren’t as lucky. The details of the case will come out in the next several weeks she’s sure. She’ll be back at school after Spring Break. It involves a few other dancers and Samantha. That’s all she’s allowed to say for now.”

  “Mr. Richardson’s going to fry.” Shannah surmised.

  “Sounds like it. What a pig!” Maysie gritted her teeth. “I had him as a teacher. He never approached me.”

  “You didn’t need extra credit, you’re a straight A student.” Rachael commented. “He sat me in the third row. My pants were too long for his tastes.”

  “Dude’s a nasty old man.” Shannah commented.

  Maysie dropped Shannah first. After Shannah climbed out, Rachael asked Maysie to run her to their house.

  “I need to talk to Travis.”

  At the Baxter’s driveway, Rachael saw Travis making rounds on the old blue Ford tractor, pulling a batwing mower behind it. It was nearing dusk.

  “Oh, no. He’s got the old Ford out.” Maysie grimaced. She parked the car.

  “What does that mean?”

  “He’s worried, angry, or frustrated, or any combination thereof. Bye.” She fled into the house.

  Rachael walked out and climbed over the board fence. She walked across the pasture where he drove up to her and turned it off.

  “Care for a ride on my big, blue tractor?” He joked.

  “Maysie said you’re either worried, angry, or frustrated. Which is it?”

  “Worried.” He held his hand down to her. She grabbed it. He hauled her up to the steel platform. He sat down and pulled her onto his lap. “I’ll let you steer.”

  “I’d love to.” He turned the key and released the brake.

  Over the hum of the loud engine there was no room for conversation. He admitted he was worried, but what could it be? He’s gotten quiet since the night of the dance, where things got a little hotter than we’d anticipated.

  Maybe he’s holding back, maybe his mom and my dad were right…now he’s stopped talking to any of us about it.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Rachael and Michael decorated the living room with streamers and balloons. Rachael had made a lasagna with the help of Aunt Margaret, while Michael sliced and diced everything needed for their salad. He even set the oven to three hundred seventy-five degrees for the garlic bread and managed to bake it for the seven minutes, pull it out, and not burn it.

  Travis and Maysie worked together to set the dining room table with Aunt Margaret’s china. Rachael could hear Maysie in there scolding Travis with the place settings and the proper order for salad forks, soup spoons, and the various knives- butter versus steak.

  “I know who was paying attention and who wasn’t in all those cotillion classes now.” Rachael said, setting napkins rings and cloth napkins down on the table.

  “You don’t get much out of it if you’re only there to talk to good looking girls. That is what you said, wasn’t it?” Maysie grinned at Travis.

  “That’s only because I didn’t know the right one was living over in Palm Beach at the time. I was a man lost, that was until I met you, baby.” He winked at Rachael.

  Michael came in with a pad of paper.

  “That’s a good one. I’m writing that down.” He joked, pencil in hand jotting down notes.

  “I was a horse without a rider, wandering aimlessly through the vast ranch of life. I was a boat without a captain, trolling the endless waters of a vast lake. I was a bull without a cow…” He looked over at Maysie and Rachael to see if he’d achieved the desired response.

  Maysie was armed with a wooden serving spoon ready to strike him if he kept going.

  “How about you were a rooster without a hen searching the chicken coops of life?” Michael teased.

  “That won’t work. Everyone knows there’s a lot of chickens out there and they aren’t exactly known for being choosey animals. Any rooster would do.” Travis added.

  “We’re going to leave you two brainstorming. Maybe in the next hour you can come up with an analogy that is somewhat intelligent between the two of you.” Maysie chided. “While you’re at it, could you go hang the sign on the gate?”

  “I think she’s throwing us out man.”

  Travis walked toward the foyer and picked up the large, newsprint sign he’d helped Rachael draw the day before. Michael grabbed the duct tape and jogged to catch up with Travis.

  “Thanks for inviting us to share this day with you.” Maysie stirred the ranch dressing she’d just whipped up.

  “You’re family to us. Even my dad asked if you guys would be here.”

  “We’re happy and blessed to be here.”

  “How are things with Tristan?”

  “We’ve got plans.” Maysie smiled.

  “What sort of plans?”

  “Engagement in the fall and marriage next summer. Mama and Daddy know it’s coming. They’re prepared.”

  “What did they say?”

  “I turn nineteen in August. We get to officially start dating. A few short months later we’ll be engaged.”

  “Well it’s not like you don’t know each other. While you haven’t been officially dating these last several months, he does spend a lot of time at your house and your parents love him.”

  “Yep- and only two slip up kisses during that entire time. He said he’s learning a thing or two about patience and obedience.”

  “I’d say only two slip ups is pretty good. I can’t imagine how hard this must be for y’all.”

  “I don’t know, I’m finding if you completely remove the physical side of things it can make things pretty clear. The path you want to take and how you’re going to get there. That’s my opi
nion, I’m not sure he’d agree with me. He’s got a calendar up where he’s marking down the days until my birthday.”

  “That’s sweet.” Rachael grinned over at her where she mixed sweet tea. “Maybe your parents will let you start dating sooner, as in after you graduate. It’s not like you’re not already eighteen.”

  “I asked and they said they’d think about it. They like him a lot and since he started going to church with us every Sunday, it’s sort of sealed the deal.”

  Rachael considered Maysie’s statement. She wasn’t sure if it was a hint of some sort or not. She’d gone to church with them one time in the near three years she’d known them. It had been a great experience and she’d enjoyed it. What has kept me from going back?

  Her father was due to arrive home around lunchtime. Aunt Margaret and her mother had gone to pick him up and bring him home. There was a time where she would’ve insisted on being there for the release, but now she knew better. She didn’t want to remember it that way. Her father walking out of a barbed wire ringed enclosure, passing check points, and such. No, she’d rather remember the day he walked back through the door, into the house, and into their lives as a celebration- a family party. That’s exactly what they had planned.

  It’d only be their immediate family and of course, Travis and Maysie. The sound of Michael yelling “They’re here!” and dogs barking brought Rachael out of her daydreaming and back to reality.

  She and Maysie turned on some cheery music and all of the lights. They’d opened the curtains and blinds, allowing as much light in as possible. Feeling closed in was something her father reiterated in many of the conversations with her mother. She didn’t want him to feel that way ever again.

  Michael threw the door open, panting from his sprint down the driveway.

  “They’re here!” He exclaimed.

  “We heard you.”

  Travis walked into the house and smiled. “I saw him from the road. He looks good.”

  “Let’s hide.” Michael whispered. “Then, we’ll jump out like old times.”

  No one could argue with that suggestion. Rachael, Michael, Maysie, and Travis crouched behind the dining room table, around the corner of the front wall and waited. They heard the car door open and close, along with a flutter of conversation.