Nothing Stays Perfect

Domestics.

“Maggie May, you have never been one for conventional ways.” A humorous voice announced as I slid to the ground,

“You know me Uncle Keith, lucky I have such a chilled, bombproof horse that will do anything for anybody, huh?” I grinned as I turned to face the man standing behind me,

“Very, very quiet!” I laughed at the sarcasm in his voice, “Come here missy!” I fell into my uncles arms,

“You haven’t come around for ages Uncle; we have so many new horses! And dad built a new guest house for when we start our trekking business that he wants, so many things have changed!” I gushed,

“You know I still come, come visit your mum and Oakley at least once a week. But now we are working here together again, I won’t have to come around so much.” I took in my uncle’s worn face as I stepped back; born in the same year as my dad he looked no younger, lots older. He looked upset as I pulled away, he was, is, my mother’s brother. Since she... left, he has suffered much the same mood swings as Buckley and I.

“I know uncle; it’s going to be great.” I grinned sincerely, masking the pain,

“Are you going to win rodeo queen again this year? Or are you finally going to let somebody else?” He asked as I turned back to Buckley,

“I’m not competing this year, well not competitively anyway. I’m starting mums clinics again; the rodeo committee talked me into it.” I grimaced,

“Your mum’s clinics... Like her horsemanship clinics?” He trailed off,

“Yeah, them.” I said awkwardly,

“Like the clinics she was going to do with Oakley?” He gulped for air; I turned to face him,

“Yes, those clinics. Buck is up to it, he is quiet when he knows it is just us working. You know I used the same natural methods so I could begin riding him. These methods are the only reason he is still here. I owe it to him and Oak to save more horses; I owe it to mum to share her method.” I blabbered,

“Well, you are obviously sure about this. I am proud you have the guts to do that.” My uncle stammered,

“Nobody else knows yet, except for dad, Harley and Jake. Can you please keep it that way?” I pressed, hoping to end the conversation,

“Of course,” He nodded, “So what are you kids doing here?” He asked, opening the conversation up to Jake, who was standing rather awkwardly beside Jigsaw, his black and white paint horse.

“We came down for Buck to go for a run in the pen that Mags will be using,” Jake explained, “Is anybody else around?”

“Nah, everybody just left. We had a wee working bee, painted the announcers box and that,” Keith waved his hands, motioning to the buildings; “I’m off too, so I will see you kids at the opening day?”

“Sure will uncle,” I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek, “Don’t be a stranger, come around more often?” I asked, he only nodded as he turned and walked to his truck. I didn’t notice that I had been sinking to the ground until I felt Jacob’s strong arms pull me up and hold me close. I sobbed into his shirt, leaving a wet patch when I finally pulled away.

“Maggie...” Jake croaked, his voice raw with emotion, tears brimming in his dark eyes, a few rouge drops had already carved tracks in the dirt on his face.

“Oh Jacob, don’t cry! Please? I’m fine, I promise!” I tried to sound convincing, wiping my hands over his cheeks swiping tears away.

“No you’re not! You haven’t been okay since the day your mum and Oak died!” He whispered as more tears brimmed in his eyes. Fear rose in my throat, my stomach began flipping,