Never Apart

Vinny!

I am cantering a course, the place seems so familiar. I'm riding Vinny! Wait, isn't he injured? I jump a tall cross rail, then a smaller oxer. I slow Vinny to the trot and pick up the other lead. Right before the jump, Vinny slips. He stumbles backwards, and I slip off. My eyes shutter and soon I am in darkness.

        I gasp for breath and wake up in a cold sweat. It's okay, it was just your imagination. But it was real! I roll over, still groggy from lack of sleep, and look at the clock on the microwave. 5:37.  It's too early! I struggle to get out of bed. Finally, after at least 15 minutes of trying, I get out of bed. It isn't exactly a picnic taking a shower either. At least I got a waterproof cast. I roll myself down the hall and use all the upper-body strength I have to climb into the handicap shower seat my parents bought for me. Once I finally am done, it's time to go see Vinny. Mom and dad walk down the stairs slightly surprised I am dressed and ready. "Wow! You got dressed and ready!" Mom says traipsing into the kitchen to make her and dad some coffee. "Yeah I did. You guys ready to go?" "Yeah. Are you sure you still want to see him sweetheart?" 'Yes mom." I say, rolling my eyes. I wheel myself to the car, my parents trailing behind. My dad lifts me into the roomy backseat of our black ford.

        We drive to the large vet practice. It is in a gigantic field about five miles long. It is complete with an aquamarine main care building in the front. It has two fire engine red barns with about twenty stalls each, and a large paddock. I have been coming here with my dad since I was very little. I wheel myself to the barn thinking Vinny should be in there. "Amy, he's in the run-in shed area." No! Not Vinny! That's where the evil horses with issues go! With reluctance, I wheel myself through the tall grass towards the paddock with the run-in shed. What I see truly terrifies me. Vinny looks like a heap of bay colored bones. He is just laying around not doing anything and it looks like he hasn't eaten in a month! He tries to get near me. I sigh from relief. At least he still recognizes me and loves me. I walk into the desolate pen whispering softly to Vinny. I pet his neck and he nuzzles me. 'Shhh! It's okay, it's gonna be okay. I will get better for you so you have to get better for me." He nuzzles me and tries to get up. It takes about 10 minutes but he finally gets up. "Wow! You're such a good boy!" He nuzzles me and bobs his head in agreement. I give him a treat I snuck from the main barn. "Amy, it's time to go!" "Coming Mom!" I yell petting Vinny. "Alright, I guess I have to go now. I'll come visit you later." After saying goodbye, I get back in the truck and drive home. Tomorrow will be a new day.