White Horse

Auction

"Come on Hazel! I'm sure you'll find a nice horse!" said Tianna, my 18 year old sister. We were sitting at the breakfast table. Tianna wanted to go to a horse auction in town. She watched me sulk everyday, so she decided she wanted to try a new angle at getting me out of my funk by finding me a new horse, but I knew that wasn't happening.

"You know that no other horse will be like Nora," I answered. "I told you I didn't want a new horse now. It's not that easy, you know Tianna. Sometimes, people have feelings for a horse, so when they die, they aren't ready to just bounce back up!"

I knew I was being too rough with Tianna, and that she was just trying to help, but the thought of not having my beautiful Nora changed my attitude.

"You know, I think that this auction could be good for you Hazel," my mom said. She was at the stove, making eggs for my dad. "Having a new horse might take away the pain you have now. And its just an auction. You're only looking. Ti never said you had to buy a horse."

I thought about that. Maybe going to the auction could be good. I knew I would never actually buy a horse, but maybe going to auctions will make my mom and Tianna think that I am getting over Nora, so they"ll stop bugging me.

"Okay. I'll go to the auction. But no promises that I will find a horse I like." I said to them.

"Good," answered Tianna, "That's really good. We'll go after lunch."

*****

I had been to many horse auctions. I knew the drill. You go on the bleachers, and watch as a trainer walks each horse around a pen, while a narrator speaks about the horse. It was a normal thing for everyone in Calgary. But for some reason. this horse auction felt different. Watching the audience, all eager to find a new horse, for whatever reason. It all brought back memories of Nora.

"C'mon Hazel," Tianna was impatient." Lets find a good seat. Now remember, I never said you had to find a horse. But at least look, okay? You know I'm just trying to help."

We sat down just as a new horse, Harley, was being led in the round pen. He seemed very aggravated, frustrated that he was put in this auction. He didn't get any offers until the price was brought so low that one older looking man made an offer and bought the horse.

'"Ti, I know I won't find a horse! I know you are trying to help, but please, I won't find a horse. There is no point of you bringing me here." I was pleading her. The truth was, some of the horses that were up for sale looked pretty nice, but I only wanted my Nora back.

"Fine. fine, okay, sure whatever, lets go, but then lets go to the grocery store. I want this trip to not be useless." was my sister's reply. She seemed annoyed, but I was relieved. No more horses to remind me of my loss.