Twisted Rope

Chapter 2 - Anna

     My alarm clock rang loudly next to me as I reached over to shut it off. It was 5:30 AM; if I did not have to get up earlier to feed the animals, I think I could sleep all day. I climbed out of bed, throwing on a pair of dark Demin jeans, my sweatshirt and headed down the stairs. My dad was already in the kitchen making breakfast and singing along to the radio playing quietly in the distance. "Good morning honey, I made scrambled eggs and toast! When you are done eating can you please feed the horses" I smiled as I sat down for breakfast "Of course. Do you really think I would miss going to see Ranger this morning?". My dad smiled sitting down at the table for breakfast. My dad and I talked about my night with Jack and my plans for the summer over breakfast.

The sun was just starting to make an appearance above the skyline. I could see Ranger in the distance along with our other horses as their heads turned to me walking towards the barn. Ranger neighed at the sight of me and took off towards the barn knowing well enough what time it was. Ranger is a beautiful brown quarter horse that I got for my 12th birthday. I always wanted a horse of my own since we grew up with them on the farm. I never learned to show or did 4-H in school, but I just loved having Ranger around. I grabbed some hay from the hay bales by each of their stalls and some grain from the bin for the other horses. Ranger was waiting patiently for me to make my way down the aisle. I opened the stall door and was welcomed with Ranger pressing his head against my chest waiting for me to give him scratches. I have never met a horse that acts more like a dog than Ranger. He will follow me anywhere I go without his lead and insists on kicking his big ball outside despite all the other horses staring at him.

"Good morning beautiful", Jack whispered in my ear hugging me from behind. I will never get sick of hearing him say that. "Good morning, Jack" turning around I gave Jack a quick kiss on the cheek. Jack helps us out on the ranch whenever he comes to see me.

Jack and I went about our morning tending to the chickens, horses and cows. I loved spending the morning working with him even if we were both covered in dirt and sweat from the warm morning breeze. After the morning chores, we headed inside to get some water and clean up. "Your mom invited me over for dinner tonight, before I had back home" Jack explained before giving me a kiss on the cheek and heading out the door.

I was left alone in the kitchen trying to figure out what to do for the rest of the day. My parents left a note on the counter letting me know that they had gone to the market and will be back shortly. I grabbed a bowl of popcorn from the microwave and headed into the living room to relax and catch up on my tv shows.

The warm summer breeze blew through my hair as I rode on the trail back to my house. Ranger was enjoying being out in the woods with me hearing the birds sing in the quiet afternoon. I loved trail riding with Ranger and Rusty who would follow behind us along the trail. They loved to play in the creek that ran alongside the wooded trail. As I neared the barn; I slowed Ranger down to a walk to cool him down. After a good grooming and some treats Ranger followed me to the pen where the other horses were grazing in the distance. I headed up to the house for dinner.

     Jack is leaning against the door frame waiting for me to come inside. "How was your ride?" Jack glaring at me with wide eyes at the mud all over my shirt. "It was really nice other than Rusty decided to go in the creek earlier and jumped all over me when he was knee deep in mud." Jack laughed as I walked past him to my room to shower. After a quick shower and fresh pair of clothes I was ready to go eat dinner. I cannot wait; mom said she was cooking my favorite fried steak with broccoli and mashed potatoes.

The mouthwatering aroma of food filled my nose as I made my way down stairs to the kitchen table. My mom was humming along to a song stuck in her head, while Jack and my dad played a hand of cards. "It smells amazing! I'm really going to miss your cooking when I leave for school" Anna said sitting down at the table. "Thank you honey!" my mom said as both my parents glared up at me with a look of confusion on their faces. My parents are not too happy with the idea that I want to attend the University of Kentucky in the upcoming fall. I got accepted a few months ago and it has been a sensitive topic with my parents. "I don't understand, Anna. I thought you were going to stay home and go to the community college" my dad said still glaring at me. "I understand you guys are worried about me, but I really want to go to school in Kentucky. They have a great Animal Science program. I would like to go down to visit soon, and Jack offered to show me around down there" Anna explained. Jack looked at me with the side of his eye with a small smirk on his face. "My grandfather has offered to let Anna stay with them and bring Ranger with her if she wants; as long as she helps out on the farm" Jack said, turning to Anna's parents. My mom looked at my dad before turning to Jack and me "I appreciate your grandfathers offer Jack, but me and Anna's father need to speak this over before we agree to anything".

My heart dropped at the sound of my moms words, "I don't understand mom, I am eighteen. Why is this such a big deal? I want to go to the University of Kentucky. I have done my research and I love the school. I am willing to help out on Jack's farm so I have a place to stay". My dad glared at me with a stern look on his face "I understand you are eighteen, but I am worried about you being that far away from home. You have never been away from home and I don't know if you are ready". I slumped back in my chair knowing arguing with them right now is not going to go anywhere. I know they are worried about me being so far away, but how will I ever learn to be on my own if they do not let me try?

The rest of the evening was pretty quite and no one seemed to have anything else to say after dinner. Jack and I went for a walk after dinner to clear my head. It was a beautiful night for a walk along the creek. The full moon lit up the night just enough to see where we were walking and the stars shined bright in the distance. We walked silently for a while before Jack said anything, "I know you are frustrated with your parents, but they are just worried about you. I'm sure if you give them sometime they will come around to the idea". I stopped walking and looked up at Jack, "It's not the fact they are worried, I understand that. I just don't understand why they will not leave the decision up to me if I want to go or not. I'm going to have to learn to make big decisions at some point! I'm just tired of everyone making the decisions for me". Jack nodded in agreement, "After things cool down a little bit, try telling them how you feel and just ask them to listen to what you have to say". I nodded at his response and continued walking back towards the house. The moon was starting to reach the top of the sky meaning it was getting late and I had to go in soon. I was tired after today's turn of events anyway.

Jack wrapped me in his arms and pulled me close. I could feel the beat of his heart and the smell his cologne as I breathed in a sigh, I didn't even know I was holding in. I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled my head up to meet his gaze "I love you Jack". Jacks lips spread into a smile as he said " I love you too Anna. Jack kissed my forehead and told me goodnight as he walked to his truck. My parents went to bed because the only light they had left on was the small light above the oven. I headed towards my room in hopes to get a good night's rest and a better day tomorrow.