Stayin' Alive

Chapter Three

Almost every time I get up on horseback, I contemplate life. The things that have happened in the past few days, mostly. What's good, and what is bad. I let the smooth motion of Reckless' cantering take me to a place I never knew existed. It was like I had my very own dreamland when I was on horseback. It let me imagine things I never knew I could. I get most of my writing ideas when I'm on horseback. 

  Up ahead, a hawk cries and swoops down into the weeds to catch whatever its keen eyes caught sight of. He emerged from the weeds with a mouse in his talons. Reckless whinnied up to him and it vibrated through my body. I urged him to go faster by gently kicking him with the spurs. I felt the extra kick of energy as his canter became a gallop. A family of antelope grazed in the plains in front of us and I slowed Reckless down to a walk. He came to a complete stop as I pulled back on the reins gently. A baby antelope, about the size of a lamb, nursed from its mother as the mother grazed on the long plain grass. Reckless snorted and the two antelope shot off into the long grass. I dug my heels into Reckless' side. He took off galloping after the two antelope. There was wonderful moment when we were neck in neck with the antelope, but they soon veered to the left, and Reckless went straight. I held my arms out to my sides like I was flying, as Reckless began galloping at top speed. The strong breeze blew my hair straight out behind me, so strong I felt my cowboy hat blow off behind me. 

  Reckless slowly came to a trotting pace and I knew it was time to turn around and retrieve my hat. 

     "Come on boy. Let's backtrack a little." I rubbed his neck and turned him around to go in the other direction. I slowed Reckless to a stop and put my cowboy hat back on, before turning him around once more and going in the opposite direction. We were headed for the canyons I'd spent so much time photographing when I was little. I'd often dreamed of bringing a horse up here when I was just a little girl. Now I could visit whenever I wanted, although I hadn't chosen to come up here for weeks. The ground gradually got steeper as we neared the canyons. I slid off of his back and led him by his reins to give him a rest. We were careful not to trip over the rocks that covered the hills. 

  When we finally reached the crest of the hills, I looped Reckless' reins around the saddle horn and let him graze. I sat down on a boulder on the edge of the canyon, admiring the sight of the water rushing beneath me. When I leaned over the edge, I saw my reflection frowning up at me. I sat back on the boulder and contemplated the probability of imminent death if I jumped into the river. I scooted my body closer to the ledge and closed my eyes. But not matter how bad I wanted to jump in and have life be over, I couldn't bear the thought of what it would do to my parents. Then I thought of Reckless, and knew he'd get lost on his way home. I couldn't do that to him. I'd never forgive myself. 

  Moments later, I found myself scooting back onto the rock and walking back towards Reckless.

     "You ready to go boy?" He lifted his head and nickered at me. "I take that as a yes." I mounted him and turned him back towards home. Once we got into a gallop, his hoofbeats made loud thudding noises on the grassy plains below us.

  I got home just as the sun was starting to turn a bright fuschia pink. After untacking Reckless, I put him in his stall until his grain was prepared. It was a mix of molasses and wheat, his favorite. He neighed happily as I was on my way to his stall with the bucket of grain. 

     "There you go buddy. I gotta get back to the house, but I'll see you tomorrow. G'night Buddy." I patted his neck and jogged back to the house where Mama was just switching off the television. It was an old rerun of I Love Lucy. The house smelled like freshly baked bread.

  Mama turned my way, wrapping her white robe tighter around her body and crossing her arms. "Oh Veronica! You're back! How was your ride?" 

     "It was great mama. Where's daddy?" She made a small gesture with her head, towards the staircase.

  I mouthed an O, and crossed the large expanse of the family room to give her a hug. She embraced me back and placed a light kiss on my forehead.

     "G'night honey."

     "G'night mama." She made her way up the left staircase of the house, while I went up the left. I went to my walk-in closet and took out a pair of simple shorts and an old Bee Gees T-shirt. Before I went to bed, I pulled my Bee Gees book out and began reading where I'd left off the morning before. 

  That night as I lay down waiting for sleep, a thought came to me. I was depressed, yet I had everything a person a could ask for. I had a loving family, lots of acreage, a mansion that many people would die to have, and lots of money. I could never get past the fact that I was depressed that had everything a person ever dreamed of. It confused me. I could never understand the fact that there were starving children all over the world, but here I was, depressed, but one of the wealthiest kids in the state. With this thought in my mind, my eyelids finally began to droop from the big day I'd had, and I let sleep claim me.

           Thanks for reading!:)

                                                                      ~~~**Peace and Love**~~~