Never Apart

Going Home

I open the strong car door, almost collapsing with effort. Dad grabs my wheelchair and I sit in it. I look to my left in the paddock and expect to see Vinny, but I don't. Just Sundancer and Starlight. I hold back tears making my throat dry and my voice cracked in the midst of the hot California Spring, and the craziness going on at home. I get wheeled into the house, and It's a mess as mom and dad have been with me most of the time. There is now a mattress with pale cyan sheets on our usual living room floor. At least my beds near a TV. I think to myself wondering why everything's out of place. "Well sweetheart, you'll be sleeping down here until your legs get stronger." 

"Okay," I say, putting my lime-green backpack on the bed. Lauren comes in and flops on the bed. 

"How ya feelin?" 

"Hi Lauren! Fine I guess." 

"You may have to pretend you're fine for some people, but I'm not one of them." She smiles sympathetically. 

"I really miss Vinny," I say sadly." "

You'll see him soon though, and in the meantime, you have me. Soooo, when can I sign your cast?" She asks, a mischievous smile spreading across her face.

 "I don't know, why?" I ask knowingly, searching my brain for where a marker would likely be.

"Cause I have to be the first one to sign it. Got a sharpie?"

 "I think there's one on the counter." After several minutes of perusing the cabinets and counter-tops, she comes back with a silver sharpie and starts scribbling. About a half an hour later, I have a striped cast and another with ridiculous  horse sketches on my other leg. 

"Presto!" We both start laughing. Her phone buzzes and she looks up, obviously disappointed. "Mom says I have to go, Bye," she mutters sadly.

"Bye Lauren!" I say, turning the TV on with my good arm, and channel-surfing to see what's on. 

        A few hours later I'm all settled in. Mom appears to be talking on the phone, and has an expression on her face somewhere between concerned and delighted. About ten minutes into the conversation she hangs up."That was the vet practice, Amy. Vinny is fine and ready to be seen whenever you're feeling up to it." 

My face lights up, "Really? When can we go see him?" 

"Well sweetheart, he is still looking pretty bad. I don't know if you want to see him right now." 

"I have to go see him! He's my best friend!" 

She sighs deeply and rolls her eyes in exasperation. "Well okay then, we can go tomorrow if you're up to it." 

"Yay! I can't wait!" Mom looks at her watch and looks up. "Okay sweetheart, It's getting late. You need your rest to get better." 

"Okay, okay." I awkwardly get my aching body under the sheets. I drift off to sleep wondering how Vinny is going to be tomorrow.