Cowboys and a Angle

Ch. 2

Note:
annasophia robb as Bambi

      Three hours. Three hours of unpacking and putting away cloths, shoes and a whole bunch of other crap. Pulling out my belts had to be the hardest part. Just going through and seeing all the great, even amazing moments that I had with my mom. I promised myself I wouldn't cry anymore. And I hadn't, but it was hard not too. By the time I was done aunt Jen was calling me and Mariah down for dinner. We raced down the steps and into the kitchen where we are all sat eating. So far it's been decently quiet. Mariah being the only one to make any type of conversation. It wasn't awkward. It was peaceful.  Uncle Jeremiah had on a small smile as Mariah chatted away.
     You could tell they loved their bubbly blonde headed green eyed child. She was something else once you truly got to know her.  She'd always speak her mind and she surly didn't have a filter between her mind and her mouth. Some say we could be sisters. I never really seen it. Seeing as she's so out there and loud and I'm quiet and I prefer to keep to myself. I don't really speak my mind to much. I really only had two friends back home.
After graduation I didn't really keep in touch with either of them. They both went their own ways and so did I. A year later here I am. Feeling more lost and alone then ever. When my mom was here, we never really got to the topic of my dad. All I ever really knew about him was he was a rodeo man. He was here one minute then the next he was gone. I never got a name or anything and I never really wanted to know after all. I had a amazing mom. Who was there for me whenever I needed her.
I look up to see everyone staring at me. I look confused and hum my confusion looking towards my aunt. She laughs and says " I asked how you like your new room?" She repeats herself. I smile as big as I can.
" oh it's nice, thank you." I reply taking a bite out of my chicken. She nods in response.
"Bambi, do you miss your mom?" Mariah asks all of sudden. I almost didn't hear what she asked, she said it so fast. Aunt Jen gasp and uncle Jeremiah's mouth drops. I look up and answer before either of them can scowl her for her personal question.
"Yes Mariah, I miss her a lot." I nod and she does to. Laughing nervously at her mother and father. " May I be excused?" I asked a minute later and my aunt nods and looks at Mariah, " don't worry I'm not upset." I say before putting my plate in the sink and walking up the stair to my room. If I remember correctly it was the second door to the left.
Opening the door and slipping into my room I close the door and lay on my bed. As I roll over and and look out the window past the barn and at the sky. I see the color changing slowly. Pink, blue, purple. It looked so peaceful and some how, I knew my mom was alright. Life was hell so far. Just missing her and wishing, wondering. It's all a big question to me now. But for some reason as I look at the sky, I know she's okay and things may not be as bad as I thought. I get this memory every time I think of her.

FLASHBACK

"Bambi back up!" My mother yells. As a curious fourteen year old all I wanted to do was peek at the young colt my mother had in the trailer.
"Momma is he okay?" I asked as the colt whinnied, worried that he wasn't okay. I tried to peek again. Stopping what she was doing with the trailer door. She turned and grabbed me by my shoulders and looked me in the eyes. Her eyes where full of worry and sadness.
"Sweetie, we don't know if he's gonna make it. He's hurt scared and not in good shape." My heart broke at her words. Seeing my discomfort she added, "but we are gonna try our best to save him. And I tell you what, if this guy makes it, you can name him whatever your heart desires." She smiled brightly.
I had backed off and let them get the beautiful creature off the trailer. Instantly they got him in the barn and set up in a stall. He was shaking.
    Walking up to him for the first time, not only was he scared, but I was too. My heart pounded. "Hey little guy, I'm not gonna hurt you." When he started to get scared I felt my heart drop. I turned to look at my mother. "Momma.. What did they do to him?" She hugged me as I cried about the poor colt.
       
       

        Remembering back, he didn't let anyone touch him for weeks. When we finally did it was very little. The day I named I was more nervous then I think I'll ever be. I was so scared I would pick the wrong name. But the moment my mother and I stepped into the stall, the first name that came to my mind, was Jasper, and it's history.
     My door suddenly bust open, I sit up to see a heavy breathing Mariah. Hair covered her face and she was red. "Hey, mother says we are gonna go do night chores now. But you don't have to help and all since its your first night here and everything." She speaks. I nod and stand up.
   "I'll come help plus, I do have a horse in the barn." I reply grabbing my boots and slipping them on. Pulling my jeans over my boots we walk out the door and down the steps. Mariah looks up at me and smiles.
     "Momma says Jackson here." She sings. I look down at her confused, then remember he's the helping hand around the barn. I shrug my shoulders and make my way down the last few steps. Mariah trailing behind. She gapes at me. "Don't tell her I said this, but boy he's a cutie. And he's just a year or two older then you I think. He sure is a charmer." She gives me a raised eyebrow.
I laugh and say "Aren't all Texan men suppose to be charmers? They got that southern man charm." She opens up the door and I step out onto the porch and sigh as a little bit of wind hits my face.
   "Not all of the boys are,there's this boy in my class that likes to chase us girls around with spit." She says looking grossed out.
  "They say if a boy likes you, he's gonna do weird things to get your attention." I laugh at her confused face. "Your to young to understand but you will someday." I say making my way in the barn and to Jaspers stall. He looks up from eating grain and neighs as he sees me. He's already been taken care of. "Who did Jasper?" I turn to asks Mariah. She just shrugs her shoulders and skips away. I couldn't be more confused. I turn around looking for my aunt and uncle.
"You know that old ford out there could use some fixin' up. You fix it you keep it." I hear uncle Jeremiah say and I sigh happy that someone I know is near.
"Maybe I'll just do that. Thank you j." A deep and surprising Texan voice says. I jump in my spot and flip around. Seeing Jeremiah walking with a tall blondes headed guy, I'm surprised. I knew Mariah said that he was here but I didn't think anything of it. He looks at me from the back door and smiles taking off his gloves. "Hello there,"He speaks giving me a nod. I nod back still staring at him. He looks at Jeremiah confused and then looks back at me," Uh, I'm Jackson the stable hand?" He questions. I just nod my head and turn to Jasper.
"Who did Jaspers stall?" I question. Looking up he's still wearing a big smile on his face.
"Well I thought since it was your first night here and all that I would do the favor of taking care of this beauty for ya." He laughed.
"You didn't have to. I was coming down to do it." I reply looking at him. His smile sorta drops.
" I see that now,"He sighs,"but a thank you Jackson would be nice." He smirks.
"Um, thanks." I say and turn to walk back to the front of the barn.
  "Where ya going? I didn't even get your name." He says taking big steps to try and catch up with me.
  "Inside," I reply, " and I bet you already know my name, and everything about me." I sigh, hearing him slide the huge door closed. I turn to see him standing with his hands on his hips staring at me.
"Now miss, not to be rude but for such a little thing you have a lot of sass." He nods in my direction with a big smile on his face. I laugh and turn back towards the house.
I step up onto the porch and walk towards the door, hearing loud footsteps and a heavy breath I stop. A hard chest smacks against my back knocking the wind out me completely as I gasp and almost fall forward. "What was that for?" Jackson breaths and I turn around.
  "Do you have to follow me?"  I question with a raised eyebrow ready for a answer. He nods and turns. "W-wait, where are you going?" He turns and smiles.
   "I didn't mean to be to forward miss." He chuckles. His bright laugh full of energy and full of bubble. I smile a little. It was kinda cute not that I'd ever admit that to anyone. Ever. I look up to see he's climbing into a black Chevy truck. Before he gets in I stop him.
"Aye,"he looks up at me and smiles," the names Bambi." Turning I walk into the house and pull the door closed behind me and sigh.