Get Back On

Chapter 2:

He looked different from before. His once shiny coat was dull and covered in scars. One huge scar went from the top of his withers and to the bottom of his flank. A scar went across his chest and I knew there would be one on his stomach. His left front leg was in a hot pink cast. He once calm gentle eyes were filled with anger. He wasn't the horse I knew. The horse who I healed when he was 3 all those years ago. The horse that was the water to my fire. He wasn't the horse before the accident. This wasn't the Storm I knew.

I heard the crowd gasp and start whispering. And it was like he knew I was there. He jerked his head in my direction and reared. He tried to charge at me but the vet and Bing held him back. "EASY EASY!" With them on each side they wrestled to keep him in place. "Put him in the very back where he is by himself." I looked at Kate. "Why?" "Honey it's for everyone's own good and safety." I felt anger rising but I knew I had to cool down. I saw them wrestling with storm down the barn aisle. One of the cowboys laughed. "What that horse needs is a bullet."

There that did it. I walked up to him and glared. "Maybe you should go play in traffic or maybe I could push you." Before I could land a punch the cowboy from earlier spoke. "Easy there fireball. "I glared at him.

Before I could do very bad things I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned my head to see Kate. "Now Jake and Ty no more words about that horse so I won't have to bail this girl out of jail." I smirked at them knowing Kate would have my back. The cowboy smirked back. "Come on Kate that horse is insane and dangerous and with all those scars, what in the hell is he gonna end up."

I looked at him. "Damn your such a stupid prick I mean seriously if you are gonna come up with insults they better be good." I smirked and headed the way Bing went with storm.

At the end of the 36 stall barn there was 8 stalls that weren't in use. Storm was at the very back kicking and screaming. The vet , who's name is Dr. Lacks, was talking to Bing. "Well he is physically healing but will always have those scars but he is mentally and emotionally traumatized." I walked toward him. "So what am I supposed to do with him. He hates me and he isn't to fond of everyone else either?" He looked at me and smiled. "Well work your magic miracle girl." I snorted. Bing looked at me and smiled. "You owe me one. Lou and Parker should be here by now." I glared and stormed out of the barn.

I knew where Parker would be. The first thing he always did when he got here was go see Max, the retired horse, on the western side of the stable. I limped there kicking random rocks on the ground. I walked into the western barn where Parker had Max in cross ties brushing him. Yes Parker is almost 6 years old and brushing a horse by himself. Lou got him out for him and she was probably on the phone down the aisle a little ways.As I got closer I saw the cowboy from earlier standing beside him. "I want to be a cowboy when I grow up". I smiled." Well you're young you have plenty of time."

I walked toward them and Parker looked my way. His eyes lit up and he dropped the brush and took off running toward me. I caught him and picked him up. I kissed his forehead. "Hey Parks how was school today?"With his arms around my neck he pulled back to look at me. "Good but I missed you." He kissed my check and got down. He grabbed my hand and dragged me toward Max and the Cowboy."Paige this is Jake he offered to give me roping lessons." Jake held his hand out and I shook it. "If it isn't the princess jumper, Jake drawled."

I smirked. "If it isn't the man whore fast and the furious wannabe cowboy." He looked shocked but then regained composure. My smirk grew. He thought I was going to fall at his feet. Guess again Darlin. "Nice one Darlin." I winked. I turned to Parker. "So I'm guessing you want to start roping on Max. Parker's face glowed with happiness and he nodded his head. "Ok then guess you need to tack up." He smiled. "Can you ride Shadow for me. I don't want him to be left out." I looked at him shocked. He never let anyone ride Shadow. I smiled and nodded.

Parker took off running toward the tack room and I turned toward Jake. "I'm warning you, let anything happen to that boy and I will kill you. Do you understand?" He smirked. "Loosen your leash a little bit princess." I glared. "Maybe you need to tighten yours." I stormed to the other side of the barn to Shadows stall. I led the large black pony out of the stall and into cross ties. "I rubbed his neck. "Hey pretty boy." I went to the tack room at that side of the barn and grabbed his bridle. I didn't bother with the saddle because my knee was acting up. I also grabbed his brushes.

After I brushed him I put his bridle on and led him outside. Parker and Jake were already gone. I found a mounted block and got on Shadow. I collected the reins and turned him toward the outside jumping ring. I opened the gate without getting off and then closed it. We walked around for a few laps and then I asked for a trot. After trotting a few laps and figure eights we cantered. There were a few small jumps set up with I pointed him toward. He knocked one rail down and cleared the rest. I pulled him to a stop and patted him on his neck. "Good Boy Shadow."

I looked up and saw Lou standing against the rail. I smiled. I walked Shadow over toward her. Once I reached her she wrapped her arms around me and kissed me on my forehead like always."You really turned that horse around for Parker." I looked her and smiled. "Do you want to ride him?" She looked hesitant at first but slowly nodded.

I put the reins over his head and held him still while Lou got on. Once she was on and collected the reins, she turned him and walked him around. Then she trotted and cantered. She headed toward the jumps and Shadow gathered himself and then he was over. I looked at them shocked. After they jumped them she pulled him up and they walked over. "I can't believe you just did that." She smiled. Well I did teach everything you know and Max was kinda my horse so...." She jumped down and I hugged her. "Can you give me lessons.?" She laughed. "Sure when I'm not taking care of you three, working and helping withy the horses."

She jumped off and pulled the reins over his head. "You know this hot cowboy asked to give Parker roping lessons." I rolled my eyes. "Yea I heard that too." A look that I was all to familiar with came over her face. "Hell no Lou it's not gonna happen. I don't have time for that shit." She scowled. "Cut the cussing back I raised you better then that." I reached up and kissed her cheek. "Yes mother."

Lou was a tall and gorgeous women. With black wavy long hair and sea glass eyes she knocked every guy off their feet. Bing was tall with brown hair like me and green eyes. He also had his fair share of lovers in the past hence why we call him Bing. And me on the other hand. I was born with curly brownish reddish hair with grey eyes. We all looked alike. Bing and I are kind like twins. We know what each other feel it's super weird. Lou is and was always the only mom I knew so therefore she will always be my mom.

After we put shadow away and Parker came in with Max (the cowboy left to take care of his horse) I went to go see Storm. I limped slowly dreading to see the horse that blamed me. He was screaming and kicking the stall door. Slowly I stood a few feet in front of the door. His ears went back and he half reared. "I know you hate me boy but so do I."

That night I woke up from a nightmare. The same nightmare that haunted me every night. I woke up to Lou shaking me and talking to me softly. Tears fell down my cheeks. "Baby girl it's going be ok, I'm here now." "But it's not going be ok. My leg is fucked up and my horse hates. And that stupid cowboy sleeps with everything that walks and I'm so sick of all the bullshit." She smiled. "Honey, the longest ride is life itself. You just have to hold on and if it tries to buck you off, hold on tighter."

"Lou when will things change for me." She kissed me on the forehead. "When you let them." I started dozing off when I heard her shut the door quietly.

( Stables pictured)