My Knight in Shining Armor

Chapter IX

I took a deep breath and gripped the reigns on the horse. Dally stepped onto the mounting stool and fixed my hat. "You'll be fine. You'll do great," he said gently.

I smiled weakly. "I believe you."

"Go out there and win!"

I smiled and rode out to where I was supposed to race. Time seemed to stop until suddenly, I was off! I didn't even have to give it a second thought.

I could see the dirt the hooves kicked up, and barrel kept getting closer and closer. I could hear the cheering of the crowds, and the quick gallop of Mickey Mouse. I could smell the animals, and the popcorn from the stands. I could feel the wind on my skin and in my hair as I flew by. I could taste the victory already!

"C'mon, Mickey Mouse. Just a little faster..." I urged.

Coming around the turns, I gripped Mickey Mouse's neck like I would if I was bare-back riding, because I couldn't use my legs. One of the horse's legs slipped for a brief second, and I knew it would cost me a valuable fraction of a second.

I finished the last loop and slowed down my horse. I still had that one race, and I was determined to win this time. From atop Mickey Mouse, I watched the rest of the barrel racers. I'd talked to a couple of them—Cherry and Marcia—but I didn't really know any of 'em.

On the signal, all of us riders lined up for the final race. Again, Dallas was next to me. "Did you hear you won the barrel racing event again?"

I shook my head. "I did?"

"Yeah!"

I grinned from ear-to-ear, but after a moment, my smile faded. "Cool," I said quietly.

"You alright?" he asked.

I shook my head. "This is the race I was injured at."

Dally gave me a sympathetic look—something he'd been doing more often. "It'll be alright. Trust me, okay?"

"Alright."

"Besides, Penny, that Soc is doing time in jail, so you don't need to worry."

"Maybe I'll even beat you!" I laughed.

"I'd be seriously surprised," he said with mock superiority.

"Well, here goes nothin'."

The gun was fired into the air—the signal to start—and all of our horses started galloping. The adrenaline kept my grip tight. I carefully and quickly maneuvered around other riders whenever I could. Eventually, Dally and I were neck and neck, and the race was almost over. "C'mon Mickey Mouse! You can win this!"

The cheering from the stands steadily increased as time wore on. At the last second, I pulled ahead, just enough to cross the finish line first. The bleachers erupted in screams of joy and excitement. Dally rode up real close beside me and kissed my cheek. "You did it, just like we all knew you would."

We rode back to put our horses away, and Dally helped me back into my wheelchair. We met my parents and the gang back at the stands, and they swarmed me.

"You did it! You won!" they were all screaming.

My mother squeezed me tight. "I shouldn't have doubted you."

"You're the most resilient young lady I've ever known, and I'm proud to have raised you," my father added sincerely.

I grinned and hugged them back. "I love you guys."

Two-Bit and I did our 'secret' handshake, which caused a domino effect of handshakes. So many people were staring at us after that like we were mentally insane.

A group of news reporters entered the stadium, and swiftly moved toward us when they saw me. They started bombarding me with questions. "Is it true that you're paralyzed?" "Tell us about your big come-back race!" "What inspired you to keep riding after your fall?"

I quickly grew overwhelmed with the questions, so Two-Bit and Soda provided a distraction, so the others could help me get away. We all had a good laugh over that one.

We all went back to the Curtis house—even my parents—after the rodeo. "I'll bet you're in the newspaper tomorrow," Steve said.

We walked in the front door, and I was met with balloons and streamers. "What is all this?" I laughed.

Dally grinned. "This is for... what did the reporters call it? Your big come-back race?"

"You've got quite the friends," my father remarked.

I laughed. "I sure do. Now you can see why I don't want to leave."

Sodapop came in with an arm full of Cokes. He popped the cap off of one and handed it to me. He held up his own. "For Penny!" he cheered.

"For Penny!" everyone echoed with enthusiasm.

Darry broke out the chocolate cake he'd been saving—no one had any for breakfast, and I had wondered why—and cut it into slices. The boys stampeded into the kitchen for the cake, but I started wheeling myself in after them. I knew they'd get out of the way when I started running over their toes.

Suddenly, cake started soaring through the air, and I knew the boys were fighting over it. I wheeled back a little, so I didn't become a target, but I got a pretty good kick out of watching them. It was better than any of the movies that had come out so far that summer.

Dally pushed his way through and pulled a chair beside my wheelchair. He handed me a slice of cake. "Looks like you'll be the first to eat one," he laughed.

"It sure is chaotic over there."

"I'm glad that turned out well. I was having my own worries, to be honest."

I raised my eyebrow. "Dallas Winston having worries? I must be dreaming," I exaggeratingly gasped.

"You know what?"

"What?"

"You're one tuff gal," Dally said with a smile.

"And you're my knight in shining armor," I replied, pushing a strand of hair out of his eyes.

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Author's note
Enjoy the rare occurrence of two chapters in one day...

Your friendly neighborhood greaser, signing off...
Stay gold y'all ⭐️