Breyer Brook Stables Book One, The Best Summer Ever!

Chapter 7: The True Owner

"Welp," the auctioneer said exasperated, "Looks like there's nothing else to say except: Congratulations, Mrs. Miller you've just earned yourself three... well-- scruffy-looking donkeys for the price of 100,000 smackeroonies; you can find them and that horse waiting outside by your trailer in the care of their handlers..."

After the auction, the auctioneer came trotting down from his post to talk to Mrs. Miller.

"Congratulations Mrs. Miller"

"Thanks"

"So... what are you planning to do with these here donkeys-- and the horse, of course?"

"Oh that, well... that horse and those donkeys are actually going to Alex"

"Oh, and... who's Alex?" the auctioneer asked, scratching his head in confusion. "I thought that they were yours"

"Nope"

"Well... you did bib on them"

"Yeah... so?"

"So, doesn't that make you the true owner?"

"Well... no, not exactly"

"Oh okay..." he replied sarcastically, obviously having a hard time believing her.

"It's true!" She protested, narrowing her eyes at him angrily; why doesn't he believe me? She wondered. After all, I didn't make this up, it's true.

It's true!" Mrs. Miller retorted, hissing like a snake with glowing red eyes.

"Oh yeah!"

"Yeah... it is!"

"Then prove it, show me who the true owner is then"

"I already told you!" She hissed. "It's Alex"

"Oh yeah, right-- this so-called Alex person; whoever that is" he sarcastically spat back at her.

"That 'person's real I tell ya!"

"Oh really?"

"Really, it's the truth!"

"Yeah right..." you could hear the sarcasm level in his voice building. "Then you won't mind telling me who Alex is?"

"Sure" she challenged menacingly. Moving aside to let me through... walking towards him I played with my hands nervously, then looked back at Mrs. Miller, confusion written all over my face.

"Go on now..." she urged me to walk forward. "It's aright-- I'm right here if you need me."

"Ummm... o... okay..." I replied, feeling uneasy as I took one shaky step after another.

"Umm, h--h-hi..."

"Hello there, what's your name?"

I paused, glancing back at Mrs. Miller for help as if to ask Should I? with my eyes.

"Go for it" she mouthed.

I sighed, turning back to the man.

"Umm... hello?" he repeated, "Now, who are you?"

"Ummm... well" I shifted uneasy from foot to foot.

"Well..." he replied, crossing his arm getting impatient.

"Ummm..." I stammered, as I thought hard about what to say in this uncomfortable situation. "Ummm... just give me a minute," I said in a rush.

"Ummm, o-- okay" he shrugged.

I closed my eyes and just breathed in and out, feeling all my nerves start to settle; after a few seconds of doing my deep breathing exercise, reassuring myself that everything was going to be alright I opened my eyes again.

"Well... I'm waiting" he replied, angrily.

I sighed, opening my mouth to speak I replied, a great bitterness filling my throat as I tried to find the right words to force out.