High Hopes

Chapter 16

I slow April to a stop, then dismount. I sit on a rock and cry. April nudges my shoulder. I turn to face her and stroke her forelock.

She's been there for me ever since I got her. It's like she knows exactly what I'm thinking every second.

"Hey, Baby Girl. I'm sorry I just ran off on you like that." I apologize, "My dad just... Never mind. Let's go back home."

I mount her again and walk her back. What would I do without her? Mom comes running out to me while dad stands on the porch. April looks at him with curiosity.

"Why didn't you tell me he was here?" I ask mom. She sighs and shakes her head.

"I almost did, but I didn't have the heart." she replies. I look at dad. He walks over to me.

"Hi there, baby girl." he says.

"Your forgetting: I'm not a baby any more." I smirk at him. I never thought that he would want to, but he asks to see me ride.

I put on April's bridle and ride her bareback in the arena. Mom nervously sets up a two foot cross jump.

I push April into a canter and go over is with ease. April looks back at me. She seems to be happy to be back in work.

I put her away in her stall, then I get out Chex. I can tell he feels bad about what happened, but it wasn't his fault.

I tack him up English, then plait his mane. I go out to the arena, then warm him up. After that, I set up a 3 foot jump.

My heart beats faster and faster every second. I mount him and walk him around the arena once. I push him into a canter and turn towards the jump.

As I count my final strides, everything is in slow motion. "One, two three." I say before He is launched into the air.

We've made it! I give him a big pat on the neck. He looks back a me. I imagine him saying something like, "You were afraid?" or, "I knew I could do it.

I laugh at my own silly thought, before cooling him down. For once in my life, my dad actually seems interested in what I do.

I'm glad about it, but no matter what he does, I will never think of him as a true father.