Seeing The Light

Chapter 2

Picture of Vincent Van Gough. (Please keep in mind that no pictures in this story belong to me, but to their rightful owners and can be taken down upon request.)

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The following day, Katherine was dropped off at the stables early in the morning. A thin layer of frost had spread itself evenly across the Montana countryside.
The girl shivered as she drew her thin jacket closer around herself. She patted the apple in her pocket, specifically reserved for Vinny.
Even after many years at the elite academy, Katherine never tired of staring at the tall, dark, barn doors, stone walls, and white picket fences. Her breath was swept away by the gigantic oak trees and countless pastures compete with lush grass.
When she entered the barn, she was greeted with a gust of warm air, a pleasant change from another typical cold front. The heated facility was very handy when it came to the moody Montana weather.
Katherine headed over to Vincent's stall. Reaching into her jacket pocket, her small fingers wrapped themselves around the delicious treat. She unlatched the stall door and revealed the apple.
Vincent immediately wandered over to her and lipped up his snack. The fourteen year old snickered as bits of sticky apple dribbled from the gelding's mouth.
"You ready for a hack, bud?" Katherine inquired.
Vinny gave her a blank look, but she took it as a yes.
Katherine nabbed his tack and began carefully brushing his midnight fur. Gradually the process brought a beautiful gleam to his coat.
20 minutes later, Katherine led the gelding into the heated indoor arena. She mounted up and urged Vincent into a walk.
After a few minutes of warming up at the walk, trot, and canter, Katherine and Vincent soared over an oxer.
I forgot how good it felt riding Vincent, Katherine thought in her mind. The pair flowed in perfect sync, a result of all their hard work and long hours in the ring.
After they both were breathing heavily, she decided it was about time to stop.
"Good boy!" She praised the gelding, patting his dark neck. She walked Vinny lazily around a few laps before dismounting.
She slipped the reins over his head and began to lead him back into the barn.
Katherine wasn't paying attention when she nearly bumped into none other than Jessica Foster.
"Watch it, loser!" the barn witch, snapped coldly. The rich brat was leading her gorgeous 30k steed, Witness, who of course was decked out in the highest end tack.
"Sorry," Katherine mumbled.
"Next time, you should think about where you're going!" She yelled back.
"Geez, someone needs to teach that spoiled brat a lesson," she whispered to the gelding, when the girl was out of earshot.

Katherine hung Vinny's bridle on a hook, took a glob of saddle soap on a rag, and began furiously rubbing the leather. She continued scrubbing every nook and cranny until the thing sparkled like it was brand new.
She moved on to his stall. Even though the prestigious facility provided a surplus amount of stable hands, Katherine enjoyed working hard.
She grabbed a pitchfork and muck bucket and got to work.
With all manure and soiled bedding removed, Katherine spread fresh shavings across the threshold of the roomy stall.

After grooming Vincent to her heart's content, she turned him back into his stall.

"Thanks Vinny," Katherine chimed to the gelding, slipping off his halter. She latched the stall and turned only to find that she was face to face with Jessica Foster, once again.
"Talking to horses, are you? I always knew you were a freak, Katherine, but I never realized it was this severe," she sneered, laughing her annoyingly squeaky laugh.
"Leave me alone," Katherine snapped back.
"What's that, loser? Did you say something?" Her high pitched voice shrilled.
"I said, leave me alone!" Katherine nearly raising her voice to a holler, gaining a boost of confidence she didn't realize she had.
"Whatever, weirdo," she said, trumping away, dragging the poor mare behind her.
Yikes. She said silently to herself.
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