Searching My Past {PG}
Hey, Guys! This kinda came out of nowhere, although some of it is based on actual events. Tell me if you like it!
Prologue
“Anna, that was excellent!” I heard my riding instructor exclaim as I brought Monkey, the horse I regularly rode, back to a walk after a difficult jump course. I grinned to myself. I had finally gotten the thoroughbred of my dreams to behave. Monkey, an abused ex-racehorse, had only wanted to run when had come to Larkspur Farm. After months of patient ground handling, I had finally ventured to climb aboard his back. That hadn’t been the greatest idea. As soon as my weight landed on his back, Monkey had exploded. Without stirrups, I had been left in the dirt. A miracle it seemed, Monkey and I were now completing jump courses with ease. We were entered in our first show next weekend. I knew we were ready. Visions of a blue ribbon popped into my mind.
“Cool him out for a lap or two and then hop off, okay? You guys worked hard today.” Michelle’s voice, my riding instructor, broke me out of my reverie. I acknowledged her with a nod of my head.
***
Two days later, on Saturday, I walked into the barn with the intention of grooming Clip. She was due to have her foal any day now, and she deserved as much comfort as possible. Peaking over her stall door, I gasped. She was having her foal.
“Hey, Nikki!” I called; the excitement is my voice clearly perceptible. “Get your butt over here right now! Clipper’s foaling!”
“Oh my god! No way!” I heard my best friend’s anticipating cry as she leaped up from rolling polos to hurry to Eclipse’s stall.
Eclipse, fondly referred to as Clipper, was finally having her foal. I hoped everything would be alright. She had been the first horse I had ever ridden, and an unbreakable bond had formed between us. Smiling thoughtfully, I recalled all the times we had spent together.
Her distressed whinny brought me back to the present. Now wasn’t the time to daydream. “It’s okay, girl. Everything’s going to be alright. That a girl! She’s beautiful!” I added as the foal’s body slipped out.
"Could be a he." Nikki smirked, and I grinned.
“Uh-uh. She’s a girl.” I responded good-naturedly.
Walking slowly into the stall, I ran my hand over Eclipse's neck. "Your filly is gorgeous, sweetie!" I whispered, emphasizing 'filly' and glaring at Nikki.
Then, I crouched down beside the foal. "Hey, girl." I spoke softly, so as not to frighten her. "What should your name be?"
The filly didn't seem to have any answers. Bravely wobbling on her spindly legs, she tottered over to her mother. Deciding to let them be, I motioned to Nikki, and went to help her wrap the polos.
***
Sunday past in a blur. I spend my day at the barn, spending time with Monkey. Every once in a while, I would go down to see Clip's foal. The filly was courageous, sweet, and willing; seemingly the opposite of her mother. Eclipse was not a willing a horse.
On Monday, I was back in school. Spinning the combination of my code on the locker, I groaned. Again it was jammed, and again I was going to be late for class. Running to the nearest custodian for the key, I pulled my books out vigorously, and dashed to math class. In sixth grade at East Junior High, math was my worst subject. I found it too complicating and boring. But it was my last class of the day, and then school was out and I would be at the barn riding Monkey.
An hour later, I was tacking-up Monkey, and suddenly a name for Eclipse’s striking foal. Charmeuse. It perfectly suited the little filly.
So, what do you think?! Edited by: CertifiedBarnRat at: 12/7/03 11:00 am
"Race You!" I called to Nikki, mounted on Charmeuse, a horse I'd grown up with and learned to love, despite her sometimes annoying curiosity.
"Fine! But I'm going to win!" Nikki shot back. Both now at fifteen, we had been friends for as long as I could remember.
Before I could react, Danzig, the Quarter Horse Nikki was riding, shot ahead. Charmeuse, her Thoroughbred blood showing as she fought for her head, gamely increased her speed until the horses were neck and neck. Flashing past the tree Nikki and I often used as a finish line marker, we agreed it was a tie. Laughing, I hugged Charmeuse and let her cool out on a loose rein.
Out of the corner of my eye, there was a flash of brown and white. A large dog came bounding out of the woods onto the trail, a young girl, perhaps six or seven, chasing him. Charmeuse, startled by the flashing colors and the leaves rustling under the puppy’s paws, shied sideways. Nervous and beginning to sweat, she whinnied frantically, and galloped off, reins flapping. Unable to regain any of my lost control without the reins, I was flipped over the saddle without warning and landed hard on the ground.
“Anna!” Nikki screamed, and that was the last thing I heard before black-out.
Chapter 1
Thanks SingHokeyPokey! Okay, this is all of Chapter 1.
Four Years Later...
"Race You!" I called to Nikki, mounted on Charmeuse, a horse I'd grown up with and learned to love, despite her sometimes annoying curiosity. Charm for short, she was quite a rambunctious filly.
"Fine! But I'm going to win!" Nikki shot back. Both now at fifteen, we had been friends for as long as I could remember.
Before I could react, Danzig, the Quarter Horse Nikki was riding, shot ahead. Charmeuse, her Thoroughbred blood showing as she fought for her head, gamely increased her speed until the horses were neck and neck. Flashing past the tree Nikki and I often used as a finish line marker, we agreed it was a tie. Laughing, I hugged Charmeuse and let her cool out on a loose rein.
Out of the corner of my eye, there was a flash of brown and white. A large dog came bounding out of the woods onto the trail, a young girl, perhaps six or seven, chasing him. Charmeuse, startled by the flashing colors and the leaves rustling under the puppy’s paws, shied sideways. Nervous and beginning to sweat, she whinnied frantically, and galloped off, reins flapping. Unable to regain any of my lost control without the reins, I was flipped over the saddle without warning and landed hard on the ground.
“Anna!” Nikki screamed, and that was the last thing I heard before black-out.
***
Twenty-four hours later I woke up with no recollection of where I was. Nearly panicking, I strained to remember what had happened that left me in the state I was in. I saw Nikki quietly enter the room, concern written all over her face. “Anna.” She whispered. “Oh… Are you okay?”
Ignoring her question, I asked frightened, “Where am I, Nikki? Where am I and what am I doing here?!”
“Shh… It’s okay. You’re going to be okay. You’re in the hospital, with a broken arm and a strained muscle. You’re lucky nothing too serious happened.” Nikki responded gravely.
All the once the accident came rushing back; the huge dog, the running young girl, Charmeuse panicking.
“Charmeuse!” I suddenly cried. “Is she okay?! Charm, she has to be!"
Nikki shut her eyes quickly and grimaced. “Anna…” She began, “We… we haven’t been able to find her. After you fell, she… she ran away and we don’t know where she is. I’m so sorry, Anna.”
“NO! You’re lying! Charm didn’t run away! No!” I was screaming now, and the face Nikki wore showed only pity. "She's probably in her stall right now waiting for dinner!" Even as I spoke, I knew how far-fetched that idea was. Nikki left the room to let me mull over the fact that Charm was gone alone.
Only minutes later did the fatigue of panicking and arguing hit me. But I couldn't fall asleep right then. I picked up my journal of all the years I had spent with Chameuse, my wonderful filly and began to read.
February 27, 1999
Dear Diary,
Eclipse's foal was born yesterday! (I didn't have time to write, I was too busy gushing over her!) She's a beauatiful filly, a blood-bay. She has a star on her forehead, just like her mom! I can tell she's going to be something special! And just the way she looks at me, her head cocked quizically, it takes my breath away. I love her already!
On the other hand, Monkey and I had a perfect lesson today. We're definitly ready for the show next Saturday! I can't wait! Everything seems right in the world right now... I hope it stays that way!
Anna
After only reading one entry, all the memories came back. I remember everything in minute detail after that moment, it seems a new chapter of my life was born when the the filly was born.
Edited by: CertifiedBarnRat at: 12/7/03 12:37 pm
“I used to get away with so much,
Now I can't get away,
I even thought that it was simple,
To say the things I wanted to say!”
Humming Michelle Branch, a favorite singer of mine, to myself, I walked down the aisle of Larkspur, my younger sister tagging along behind. I rolled my eyes to myself. Samantha, at seven years old, always got what she wanted. Today was no exception. Because of my injury, I was left with a lot of free time. So, Sam had persuaded my parents to let her ride, while I instructed her. Ugh… This isn’t going to be fun. I thought, dragging my hands though my chestnut hair.
“Hi, Cotton!” I heard my sister’s squeal as we approached the stall of Cotton Candy, the fattest, laziest Shetland Pony I had ever seen. Studying Samantha thoughtfully, I apprehended why all my friends adored her. Sam was small for a seven year old, and had dirty blond hair and brown eyes. Even at her young age, she had a light tan, and a few freckles were dusted across her face. But her adorable features don’t make up for her infuriating personality. I reminded myself, grimacing.
“Okay, Sammy,” I began. “You know how to put on a halter, right?”
“Well, duh! I know how to tack-up, too! I can do everything as well as you, I bet.”
I groaned inwardly, and then plastered a smile on my face. “Fine,” I stated. “Then you can go get all of Cotton’s tack and tack her up yourself. I’ll just go see Monkey and Clip, then meet you back here in ten minutes. Okay?” Ha, I thought. Serves her right.
Fifteen minutes later, I met a very disoriented Cotton Candy and my beaming sister. Cotton’s saddle was placed way to far back, and she was missing her splint boots. In addition, her girth was on inside out, and their was a patch of mud on her left hindquarter.
“Right… Okay, Sam, umm… I’m going to fix a few things, why don’t you get your helmet?” I asked, trying not to laugh.
“Sam!” I called ten minutes later. “Try putting your heels down, it’ll help center your balance so you won’t be jerking on Cotton’s reins.”
“Whatever.” Samantha muttered.
Almost twenty minutes later, I was completely fed-up. “Samantha, either you listen to me, or not ride at all. Take your pick.”
Hauling on the poor pony’s reins to halt, I winced. “Stop,” my sister stated. “You’re a bad instructor.”
“Oh, gee, thanks.” I said sarcastically. “Mom will come pick you up in half an hour. You can spend that time caring for Cotton, while I hang out with a couple friends. Buh-bye.”
“And you told me,
Everything I wanted to hear,
And you sold me,
Now I don't know how I should feel,
I should know me,
And baby you would think I'd know better, oh ohh, yeah.”
"Hey, Guys. What's up?" I asked, approaching two girls.
"Not too much... We were just talking about..." Kate, a witty nineteen year-old, started, and then gasped when she noticed my cast. "Oh my god, Anna, I completely forgot! Are you okay? Everyone feels so bad about Charmeuse... What happened anyway?"
I smiled thinly. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine, Kate. Charm spooked, and I was got unprepared, I guess..." I trailed off.
"That's not what I heard!" Fiona exclaimed. Fiona was my former riding instructor, and quite young for one. At only twenty, she knew horses inside and out. "I heard that there was this huge dog, you and Nikki were chatting on a loose-rein walk, and the dog spooked Charmy."
"Well, yeah, that too. But I can't help thinking if I had been paying more attention I mind have been able to stay on and calm her down."
"Oh... Anna, I'm sure there was nothing you could have done. Charmeuse is a high-strung Thoroughbred, remember." Was, I corrected Fiona silently, as she leaned forward to hug me.
"Anna..." Kate started, when Fiona had proclaimed she had chores to do and had walked off.
"What?" I asked absent-mindedly, staring off into the woods where Charmeuse had run off in. Working hard, I managed to keep tears in check.
"I know you're upset about Charmeuse, hon, but she's gone. You've got to get over what happened and move on. There is a new horse coming in two weeks from now, the day after you get the cast off, and I was wondering if you would like to ride him. He's..."
Angrily, I cut her off. "And you’re the one to talk? You have no idea what I’m going through! You’ve never lost a horse that meant the world to you, because of your own carelessness! Ride another horse?!?! Are you kidding me?! I will never, ever ride another horse except Charmeuse! That filly was my life!”
Surprised by my outburst, Kate stumbled backwards. I hardly ever lost my temper. “Okay, sweetie, that’s your decision… I was just wondering. Sorry, I didn’t mean to strike a nerve.”
Near tears, I spun around and ran away. I hadn’t meant to get mad at Kate. Kate was my mentor, Kate was like the older sister I had never had. But, I missed Charm so, so much. I had even almost given up on finding her. I knew what might sheer me up; a visit with Monkey. Retired as a successful show jumper, hardly anyone paid Monkey any attention anymore.
Wiping my bloodshot sable brown eyes, and smoothing down my amber hair with those red highlights, I strode purposely towards Monkey’s stall. “Hey, babe,” I whispered, unlatching his stall door. “You still look the same as you did four years ago when we won that horse show!” Even at seven, the chestnut thoroughbred’s muscles rippled as he walked across his spacious stall towards where I stood. He snorted, as if to say, “Well, you don’t!”
And he was right. I had a lot over the past four years. I had grown out my childhood bob, and now had perfectly angled, rail-straight hair. Not that I was obsessed or anything like some of those girls at school, I reminded myself. I had also shot up to 5’6”, but my trademark freckles remained the same, just as they had been. Edited by: CertifiedBarnRat at: 12/21/03 7:19 am
Chapter 3
The alarm clock was going off insistently beside my bed, the glowing green numbers warning me to wake up. I hate Mondays. Groaning, I leaned over and snatched the clock, hitting the Sleep button with annoyance. I snuggled back into the covers, and was just getting comfortable again when my ever-cheerful mom called. “Anna! Wake up! Samantha is already dressed!”
Perfect Samantha Mackey. I sighed, wishing I could be more like her. In fact, I thought, I wish I could be exactly like her. Hopping out of bed, I pulled on jeans and a tee-shirt, and grabbed my brush from the bathroom. My sister was in there arranging a head band on her head perfectly. I raked the brush through my hair I pounded down the stairs. Stuck on a knot, I dropped the brush disdainfully, and tied a pair of sneakers on my feet.
“Are you going to have breakfast, or what?” I heard my mom cry with annoyance.
“Oh.” I said. I had forgotten, and taking a quick glance at my watch, I saw that it was already time to go out for the bus. “I think I’ll just have a glass of OJ.”
Drowning the glass of orange juice with my backpack already slung over my shoulder, I poured the remaining contents into the sink. “Buh-bye, Mom! See ya, Sam!”
The day past quicker than I had thought it was. Midway though my last class, though, I was doodling. Flipping to a new page as if I was taking notes on my teacher’s lecture, I started a sketch of a horse. Thoroughbred, I decided, noticing the sloping shoulders and powerful straight legs. Charmeuse, I whispered after that, acknowledging the diamond of her forehead and a stocking on her right-fore. I bend my head down and bit my lip, trying not to cry. “Miss Mackey, would you like to go to the nurse?”
“No,” My head shot up quickly and I brushed my hair out of my face. “But, Thanks.” I added. The teacher nodded in acquiesces, and went back to his reading.
That day I took the bus home, instead of my usual routine – walking to Larkspur. Sliding into a seat beside Nikki, she raised her eyebrows in surprise.
“And what are you doing here, missy?” She asked teasingly.
I attempted a smile, but failed. Immediately Nikki’s teasing smile turned into a look of concern. “I, uh… Didn’t feel like going to the barn today.”
“Come on, Anna, you know I know you better than that. What’s up?”
“Nikki, there just isn’t any point for me to go to Larkspur anymore. Charmeuse is gone. I was going to try and find her, but…” I trailed off, and my lowered my eyes.
“Oh, Anna! You should have told me! I would absolutely love to help you find Charm, if you want that is. Wanna?”
I stared at Nikki, my depressing mood being over-taken by a sense of acceptation and joy. I nodded eagerly and leaned over to hug Nikki.
“Hey, bud, it’s my stop! But I’ll call you tonight and we can… talk. You know.” She winked at me, then leapt up and trudged her way between backpacks scattered in the aisle and off the bus. I turned around in my seat and looked out the window.
“Mind if I sit?” An 11th grade boy of whom I did not know was standing there smiling politely. He seems like a nice enough guy. I thought.
“Sure.” I shrugged, and scooted over. For a long moment their was an awkward silence, but finally the boy introduced himself.
“I’m Steve.” He said, holding out his hand.
I shook it, while responding, “Anna.”
“And, it’s my stop,” I added a moment later, grinning at him. “So I guess I’ll see you around?”
“Yup.” Steve responded, his animated smile lighting his tanned face.
__
So, what did you think?! Your comments mean the world to me. Edited by: CertifiedBarnRat at: 12/21/03 7:20 am
"Thank-you very much." I thanked the doctor again, beaming brightly.
"No problem, your arm healed very well." The doctor responded already heading to his office.
Outside the building, I squealed. My cast is finally off, and I can do everything again! Maybe even ride... I thought to myself, frowning.
"Hey, mom, can you drop me off at Larkspur?"
"Sure... I'll pick you up at 4:00 PM."
"Okay, see you then!" She probably wasn't expecting that. I thought.
Once in the shadow of the barn, I pulled out my red cell phone and dialed one of few numbers I knew by heart.
"Hey, Nikki!" I said, when she picked.
"Hi, hun, what's up?"
"Well, let's see... cast's off, I'm at Larkspur... waiting for you! Ask your mom."
"Ha, ha!" Nikki laughed, then paused. "Hold on a sec, I'll go ask for a ride.
Only seconds later, an excited voice drifted over the line. "See ya in a few!" Nikki called. I punched the end button and made my way to Eclipse's stall to wait for Nikki.
"Hey, girl." I exclaimed, letting myself into her stall. Eclipse huffed into my outstretched hand, then, most likely disappointed at the lack of treats, turned back to her hay net. I muffled a snort, and managed to keep a straight face as Michelle walked by. She noticed me anyway.
"Anna, what are you doing here?!" She commented.
I was immediately on the defensive. "Well, I ride here to, don't I? I can't be here if I want! In fact, I was just going to tack-up Monkey for a ride with Nikki!" Scowling, I pushed past Michelle, and headed for Monkey's stall.
On the way, I ran smack into Nikki. "Hey, bud," She began, the confused look on her face watching me frown.
"Go tack up someone. We're going riding."
"K, k." She said, grinning lopsidedly. Edited by: CertifiedBarnRat at: 12/21/03 7:21 am
...
hey, guys. i really don't know where to go with this story. if anyone has any ideas, and they want to let me know, that would be fine. or, if anyone wants to continue the story themselves / co-write; that is fine, too. you can AIM me at 'annabanana97227' or 'fluctuant7' and e-mail me at 'annabanana97227@netscape.net' or 'horseluva27@optonline.net'. otherwise, you can always ez-mail me through this system. thanks a bunch.
This is turning out to be a great story. I added your sn to my bl and maybe we can chat about it sometime. Or just chat! lol
Elegance...speed...stamina...
The power...the exhilaration...the grace...the excitment...
It all comes together to make up one great sport and one excellent horse...
Eventing
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