Dancing in the Oaks

Home

I got in the truck and drove back to the property. On the mile drive back I couldn't stop thinking about Nicholas and his kindness. As always, the barn fire and loss was raging as a thought in my head. Arriving home was scary. I couldn't believe that today we could all meet our demise. When I pulled into the driveway I tried to do so very quietly. When I saw the front light on I knew I was gonna be in trouble. I still had to feed the horses and put away the shovels I used earlier. When I walked in the house was quiet. I thought that maybe I avoided my parents, but boy was I wrong. "Norah M. Jean! What are you doing? You should have been here two hours ago." My mother thought she could add her two senses in.

"Okay I'm so sorry. People kept talking to me. They were all so friendly. I didn't wanna leave and they just kept talking. I felt welcome for the first time in my life." This drove me crazy in a sense that I really did feel welcome for the first time in my life. I always try to tell my parents the truth, the hard truth. I never really lied to them except for one time. They ended up finding out what I had done, but not because of me. Ever since my father's business accident back in Bakersfield my parents have acted weird, almost in a way that is irrational.

My mother crossed her arms across her upper torso very tightly. This is how I have always known that I am in trouble. "You better not have been hanging around that Nick."

"Hey! Don't hate him! He's not a bad influence. Can you lift a few of these ridiculous rules, like my curfew and my do this do that schedule? I'm pretty much 19. I'm not gonna stay away from Nick."

"What? Norah that was an order. Nick is not a good person." Her voice echoed throughout my ears with a strong, strict vibe. It makes me sick whenever my family uses their voice in that way. They are wonderful people, it's just ever since the shutdown of my father's business things have not been the same.

My mind tried to withhold my real emotions towards the whole situation: lack of freedom. There was something odd going on. Maybe they know something that I do not.  "Oh please, he is so kind. You judge too much. Maybe people think that about you." Throughout my life I have been strong rooted, down to earth, blunt, secretly a country girl, and honest. I bring up valid points. Of course I never intend to cause discrepancies, inflict arguments, or offend anyone. I also never want to come off as bratty or know it all, but I just can't help myself. For the most part I am quite shy and have never been outgoing at all. I prefer to hang out with my animals, but I am making an exception for Nick.

"Norah you are so stupid!" I know that this statement was probably not what she meant.

I just hung my head in shame knowing that I disobeyed and betrayed. "How? I literally did nothing wrong."

She gave a disgusted look as she slammed the newspaper on the table. "You better not have even thought about kissing him?" Why would she even say this? Why would I even consider kissing him? That is so gross! I barely even know him and I do not want anything more than to solve this mystery.

"What?" I gave a dumbfounded look of confusion. "Mom, he's a friend. He's nice and he cares for me. No, and no, and no again!"

"You were supposed to be here two hours ago!" Her voice finally broke as she gave up. Thank goodness.

I sighed as she began to walk away finally. "I gotta feed the horses and I gotta finish my chores. Thanks mom, and I am deeply sorry. It will not happen again." I walked out to feed the horses and that argument caused me to roll my eyes a thousand times. Not being able to do anythin' gets old after a while. Life is too short to be workin' all the time.

Walking to the other side of the barn, I walked through the doors and left one open so Nick could walk in. I sang to the animals as I told each one goodnight. Whenever I sang there was absolutely no embarrassment when I did so. I heard footsteps outside and just assumed it was Nick. I stood and petted Stryd as I planted my feet on the second metal rod of the gate. Half my body hung over into the corral. I began to not feel well and smelled something burning. My mind still focused on the horses due to the fact that I absolutely had to give them their food. Horses do not wait for a meal. Established schedulers with everything and it is amazing.

As I continued singing to my horse and animals, the room began to get cloudy. I ran over to the door only to find it blocked. Walking back and standing on the gate once again was not the best decision. I sang my favorite song even louder. I could see the flames come into the barn as I kept petting my horse. I could not just run out because my foot was caught in between the corral gate. My boot slipped between the large, metal poles.  "HELP! HELP! NICHOLAS! Please, anyone!" I kissed my horse goodbye and attempted to step off the gate despite the fact that my foot was stuck. Pain shot up my leg as I just collapsed on the ground. The bout of pain was the worst I have felt.  "Help!" I cried with every breath I could. "Please! Help!" My head finally couldn't be held up anymore. It laid in the dirt and my neck turned to the right. I began to lose my vision. With each slow blink it became even harder to see and focus. My thoughts slowly drifted off into nothing. Suddenly I felt like I was nothing. My lungs tightened like a snake. Small, shallow, breaths were all I could muster up. The pain got worse until I couldn't see any more. Everything turned from a bright shade of blazing orange to a pitch black. I couldn't breathe anymore, as my lungs burned. Passed out...