My name is Kate, I am 16 years old. The thing I was just talking about is the most magnificent creature to ever be created, the horse. His name is Maverick. He is 17hh and 2 inches and he is five years old. He was my mother's, she was in the middle of training him when IT happened. She died, 1 and a half years ago by a head on collision with a crazy drunk man. The worst part is that the man didn't even get a scratch. My mother died and he didn't even get a scratch. Maverick and my mum? They had a connection. He was orphaned when he was born and she raised him. Their connection ran so deep that it left wounds in their skin. They were like two peas in a pod, without each other they were like 'shoes with no laces, a nerd with no braces, asentencewithnospaces'. So when mum died he went berserk, he was sad, heartbroken and angry and no one could go near him. I tried to sell him but I never could.
So now a year later I am going to see him for the first time in a year. I had the stable hands look after him, so that I didn't have to and so I didn't have to see him and see my pain reflected through his eyes. But now it is time, time to move on and to forget well not so much forget as to move forward and stop looking back.
I shuffle down the long narrow driveway. To meet the paddocks at the end. I get on one of the quad bikes and ride till I reach the stables. I yank open the old, large and rustic doors to find 10 stables all lined in a row, each filled with straw, a water bucket, hay and hard feed, and to top it off, a horse. I walk down the aisle to the end stall. It had big writing saying Maverick. As soon as I see the stall, my breath quickens, my eyes start to well up and to water like I am cutting onions and my hands start to shake.
Okay, this is ridiculous, it has been a year, just take three deep breathes and it should be fine
"Okay, one... two... three"
I walk to the stable to find no horse
"Can I help you?" I jump startled by the sound of a boy
I stutter out "Ye... yes I ... I am look... Looking for Maverick."
"Um okay, he was moved to the paddock this morning, he needed a run. Do you need help catching him?"
"Ah no thanks I should be fine, thank you"
"No problem"
I turn and as I walk towards the paddock, I breathe my three deep breathes, this is when I realise that not only am I nervous, I am excited too, like when I went for my first ride, the feeling so unfamiliar but welcome. I get to the paddock in no time and when I finally see him, I break down in a fit of tears, water rushing down my cold cheeks and making my eyes blotchy, and my nose red. I know this because of all times I have cried this past year.
When he sees me, he charges, ears back and ready to attack. As soon as he reaches me he rears up and roars a terrifying sound. I jump back, startled but then remember something mum taught me 'never make sudden movements and never show fear'. So I step forward and say with a calming voice
"woo boy... it's just me. Remember?"
When he hears my voice he halts and just stares, unsure of what to do so I speak again
"remember me, Kate, it's alright boy."
He realises then, who I am and he puts his ears forward and walks cautiously to me and wraps him head over my shoulder while I wrap my arms over his neck. When I touch him I cry, yet again, and grip his neck tighter until finally, I can breathe and say.
"I am sorry it took me so long come back." And he nickers in return.
