Curses and Blessings

Chapter Y'all: Fear and Fire

I hurry down the hallway and head into the indoor ring. It's smaller than the outdoor ring. Some bleachers overlook it, closest to the hallway. On the other side of the ring are wagons with hay. Inside, jumps are set up. Each pole has been painted a different color: purple, orange, yellow, red, and green.

I duck under one of the bleachers and pull my knees close. I'm facing the barn's blue and white wooden wall. My eyes roll up to the ceiling. I think back to when I used to like horses. I was always eager to get in the saddle or teach a lesson, but everything changed.

My eyes roll down to my left arm, and I clutch it. The doctor said I would never be able to bend it properly again.

Mrs. Susie's voice interrupts my thoughts: "Stella, you forgot your keys!" She appears at the other end of the ring, with my keys in her right hand, and waves them.

The jingling catches my attention. I peer through the bleachers' crack at Mrs. Susie.

Her face appears before mine from nowhere, and she says, "Ah, I thought you'd be down here."

I take a deep breath and rise to my feet. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Susie. I'm just scared."

"I know you are, but remember the barn's saying? 'When you fall, the best thing you can do is get back up.'"

I consider her words. True, that was the saying, but no rider at Grove Station Farms has gone through my trauma.

Mrs. Susie holds her keys to me, like a parent trying to play with their child. "Your keys are right here. You can easily grab them and leave."

She's taunting me, which I don't like.

I want to take the keys, but something inside stops me. Closing my eyes, I clutch either side of my head.

Mrs. Susie laughs. "You definitely still have it in you, my dear. Come on, at least give Monkey a chance. He took quite a liking to you inside."

Yeah right. Those were not the eyes of a pony but of a mass murderer. Yet, I still have this strange feeling deep in my gut, and I have no idea what it is.

Mrs. Susie escorts me back into the barn. By now, it is 3:30. Maise's just arrived. She's about nine years old. Her hair is long, brown, and straight. Attached to her riding boots are chaps, which equestrians use to grip horses better.

"Yes, I'm on Monkey!" she says to her mother.

"Bravo, Maise!" Mrs. Susie calls. She hurries to the little girl. "You're going to have so much fun with him. However, do you remember what we do before we ride?"

Maise bobs her head up and down. "Yes, yes. We groom."

"Exactly! You're getting good at this." Mrs. Susie gently bumps her with her shoulder. She lifts her hand and gestures at me. "Miss Stella will help you."

"Miss Stella?" Maise glances at me. "Hey, aren't you the girl who—?"

Mrs. Susie saves me. "We're not going to get into that. Run along, and go get your groom box."

"Yes, ma'am!" Stamping her foot, Maise gives her a quick salute. She jogs to the barn's tack room and disappears inside.

Why? I mouth at Mrs. Susie.