Breyer Brook Stables Book One, The Best Summer Ever!

Chapter 18: Lost Parents and Big Problems

"Except what?"

He looked at me with tears in his eyes as he muttered, "Umm-- they're, they're dah, dah, dah--"

"Oh no!" I thought "I struck a nerve" my cheeks reddened with complete and utter humiliation. "They're dead, aren't they?"

"Umm, I prefer the term passed away-- but yeah..."

"Oh Pony I'm so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so sorry"

"It's okay" he shrugged, "It's been what.... like almost three years now"

"Oh..."

....

After Mrs. Miller hung up I asked "So, what did my mother say?"

"Well, she said that your call was defiantly a surprise, anyway she also said that she wasn't expecting you home for a while... at least"

"Umm, how long is a while exactly?" I asked, looking confused.

"Hmm... well, she was under the impression that you'd be gone for the whole summer"

"Oh..." I was a little disappointed to hear that.

"It's okay, you can sleepover at my house tonight if you want Alex," she said.

"Thanks, Mrs. Miller"

...

"Umm, Mrs. Miller?"

"Yes Pony, what is it?"

"Umm, if it's not too much trouble... may I use the phone?"

"Why sure," she said,

"Thanks," Pony replied, jumping up he walked towards the phone. Picking up the receiver he went ahead and dialed his home line. Holding it up to his ear he waited until he heard the familiar voice of one of his brothers coming from the other end.

"Yello, you've reached the house of the famous Curtis Brothers; please leave a message after the beep... beeeeeeeeep" hearing of what appeared to be a recording.

"Oh, great..." he thought, "It went to the answering machine". Then after what looked like a lost cause, he heard a very low chuckle.

"Sodapop!" he growled. Sodapop didn't even stutter when he picked up the phone again, "Umm... Sodapop? I don't know anyone by that name"

"Oh, come on" Pony exclaimed, rolling his eyes annoyed.

"Just kidding Pone, whatya need anyways?"

"Oh, I just wanted to ask you if you and Darry wanted to come out to the Stables tomorrow?"

"Why, sure we would Pone... you've been away from us for so long now and I miss you"

Pony sighed as he said "I've only been gone for two days"

"I know Pone, but when you left Tulsa to go volunteer the Breyer Brook Stables it just broke my heart with you being so far away it-- it felt much longer than it was"

"Oh..." he sighed, his eye dropped down to the floor. "I-- I'm sorry"

"It's okay" Soda replied. "Anyways, Darry's at work right now but I'll be sure to pass the news on to him whenever he gets back"

"Okay"

"...and I hope you don't mind if I tell the gang"

"Umm, no-- not at all"

"Thanks, Pony, see ya tomorrow"

"See ya Soda" Pony started to hang up, then realized something. "Oh wait, Soda?"

"Yeah?"

"I-- I just wanted to ask if you know how to get to the Stables from Tulsa?"

"Sure, umm... the stables are in..."

"It's in the rural part of Tennessee known as Crowley Corners"

"Okay, thanks Pone-- I'll go tell the guys"

"Kay, see you tomorrow at six"

"Okay, see ya then-- wait, six... why so late Pone?"

"Well, I just figured the later the arrival; the more of a surprise it will be"

Soda laughed, "Okay Pone, six it is"

"Okay-- see ya then Soda"

"See ya then Pone"

"...Oh, and by the way-- I wanna make sure that when you guys come after the rain stops"

"Okay Pone, bye"

"Bye Soda" Pony muttered into the phone before hanging up and walking back to the couch where I sat waiting.