Infinity

Chapter 4

    It looked the same as it had ten years ago. The worn, grey stone. The black shutters slowly swaying in the wind. The swivels of dust and hay gliding over the gravel. The sound of cracking rock from the hooves of the horses that took shelter here. It was home, at least, all I had left of it. My car screeched to a stop and I cautiously stepped out. I stood there and just inhaled the memories that swept by me in the wind. The old lead pony that I galloped through these many vast fields entered my mind once more. I would run him alongside the fence line that met up with the track and imagined I could surpass anything as long as I was on his back. We would play in the creek towards the back of the property, and he would follow me without any need of a lead. It was complete trust. But, like everything else in my life, he was taken from me. I haven't been out here since. Finally snapping out of my day dream, I grabbed the handle of the back door and helped the little filly out. She stumbled out, practically falling, but caught herself. Her nostrils were flared and her breathing was heavy. She was confused as to where she was and to what was going on. She stomped her front right hoof on the ground and timidly looked in every direction. I reassured her by scratching her velvety, bronze neck. We just stood there and took it all in. The main barn was big and prestigious. Nothing but layers of stone and hickory stalls. There were about twenty fields bigger than the size of football fields on the property. Ten on each side of the barn. There were about six hot walkers with horses walking in uniform motion around the eroded dirt path. She would occasionally shy from the sound of a metal bucket or loud shout from the workers going about their daily routine. Then, that is when he finally came. He was walking briskly towards us with a beaming smile on his face. He is the one I came to see; my uncle. He owned this racing organization for over twenty years. He has had a few stakes winners, but never anything that caught the attention of the press. I still will never understand why he invested so much in this luxurious property. Maybe he wanted walls fit enough for a champion; that he may one day make use of these hickory enclosures and brass finishes. He never kept in touch. At least, not more than a Christmas card. I would sometimes forget I even had an uncle. But when we would visit, he would act like my father. He would tell me stories and teach me everything he thought and eight year old should know. Now, though, I am eighteen. He threw his arms up in disbelief. Happy disbelief. His thinning brown hair caught the rays up the sun. His mustache formed with his smile.

"Well, well, well. Is it really Cora Lee?" He said when he approached us.

"Yeah. Hard to believe isn't it?" I said with a chuckle.

"Last time I saw you, you were no taller than my waist line and braiding the mane of that devil of a horse."

"He was not a devil. He liked me at least...and I liked him." I said with a grin.

"Well, yes, now that is true. That was one thing he did right. So...how have you been, Cora? You know, I thought you had vanished in to thin air. I just want to say that, well...I'm happy you're alive, sweetheart." He said with a smile that was on top of a serious, yet kind expression.

"Yes, I'm happy I'm alive too." I said in a sarcastic way.

"Who's your little friend?" He said, motioning towards the filly. He bent over onto her level and scratched behind her ears.

"Well, that's why I'm here. I don't know what to do with her. I was hoping you could help me." I nervously said.

"Well where was she before?" He said with a confused tone and crossed arms.

"...In my apartment." I hesitantly said. His eyes widened in disbelief.

"You're telling me that you raised this horse...in your apartment?"

"Yes."

"Well you've got real guts, sweetheart. I couldn't even bring myself to do that. Well done. So, you've come to me because she has outgrown your apartment, but you don't want to get rid of her?"

"That would be correct." I softly said. We both stood there staring into each other's eyes.

"I would be honored to have her here. But...you have to take care of her..."

"Of course." I happily said.

"...and train her..."

"Gladly." I quickly said

"...and ride her." The smile quickly disappeared off of my face. I can't ride. I didn't want to. I haven't ridden since the accident and I vowed to myself that I would never sit on the back of a horse again.

"No. I can't." I said with a trembling voice. He stood there and looked at me. I averted my eyes from his. He sighed and looked the other way.

"Cora...it's been ten years. It will never get better if you keep living in the past. They would want you to ride. You have to forgive yourself." He sincerely said.

"I've had ten years to forgive myself, and I still haven't been able to bring myself to. I won't ride." He sighed once more and looked at the ground. He looked over at the filly and stared her down. He then shifted his eyes back to me.

"Alright, fine. But you must come out here every day and work with her to 'pay' for her board." He reluctantly said.

"Thank you so much." I said with a quivering lip. I gripped tighter onto the lead and started walking her to the barn. She was very spritely, bouncing with each step she took. We entered the barn. The sun hid behind the barn.

"This can be her stall. You must come out here at five-thirty every morning to give her her milk. You are in charge of weening her. I'm sure you can figure that out just fine. She must be turned out each day, and you must over-see her. She can start being turned out with the other fillies when she has settled in. Groom her everyday and train her to stand still when being worked with on the ground. You are also in charge of breaking her when the time comes. You are more than capable. You're a smart and patient girl, Cora Lee. Taking care of a horse might just do you some good." He said with a smirk. I carefully listened to his instructions, like a dog to his owner.

"Got it all...I think. Anything else?" I said with an excited tone. He stood there and looked at me with a small grin.

"Raise me a champion." He said with a thumbs up as he was slowly backing away. He swiftly turned and exited the barn. I smiled to myself and let the little one into her new home.

"It's a bit bigger than your dog bed, isn't it." I said while unbuckling her halter. She started exploring her new apartment. She stuck her nose into the freshly shaved bedding and snorted, causing the shavings to take flight into the air. She started playfully bucking. She could run laps in there. I stood and watched her for a while. She rolled and jumped and tossed her head. She was happy. A big smile found my face, and I didn't let it go. Her bronze fur was replaced with yellow shavings. It was the color of joy, and I dared not brush it off.