Endurance

FIVE

That night I struggled to fall asleep. I tossed and turned, trying to think of happy things, but as soon as something happy came to my mind it was replaced by images of the car crash. After a few hours of tossing and turning I managed to fall asleep.

I was galloping along the roadside on Galaxy. He felt so powerful beneath me. "Woohoo!" I yelled as the wind rushed against my face. It was a beautiful sunny day, not a cloud in the sky and I was feeling on top of the world. I was happier then ever.

Suddenly dark rain clouds filled the sky and I felt raindrops hit my arms. I turned to look at the road that lay beside, cars rushed past, eager to get to their destinations. Galaxy pulled to a halt as I heard car horns sound loudly followed by the sound of crashing metal. I looked into one of the cars. I saw the clear image of my mother's face. This time though the light was out of her, she was DEAD!!!

"Aghhhhhhh" I screamed. I sat up crying. The door burst open and on the other side stood my grandmother. "Are you alright?" She worriedly hurried into my bedroom. "Yeah, I must have had a nightmare, mum died in the crash. It felt so real!" I said through sobs. "Don't worry honey, mum's just fine" Grandma said encouragingly. "Why don't you come and sleep with me and grandpa, how does that sound" Grandma asked me sweetly. "Ok" I replied, still slightly shedding tears.

I snuggled up in bed with grandma and grandpa. It was a little easier to fall asleep now, knowing that I'm not alone, that I wasn't the only one. I closed my eyes and this time I slept peacefully.

I woke up early that morning, getting out of bed and making a protein shake. "I'll be back soon" I yelled to my grandparents "I'm just gonna check the horses" I heard a faint reply of my grandma come from the bedroom "ok honey".

I had changed into some of my usual rough clothes and took my protein shake with me to the stables. The air was cold and nipped at my nose. I ran to the stables, as I got to the the big entrance doors, which I pushed opened creaking as I did so, I heard the warm chorusing whinnies of the horses. I walked to Galaxy's stall and opened the stall door. Inside was a very excited Galaxy. He walked up to me, whinnying. "Hey big boy, nice to see you" I hugged his strong neck. He made me feel comforted, finally at peace since my mother's accident.

"I'll be right back boy" I pulled open the big stall door, I walked out, pulled it close and went into the tack room. I grabbed a saddle, bridle and placed my Zilco helmet on my head. I walked back to Galaxy's stall and tacked him up. I was ready for my second ride and I thought that this was the time.

I led him out to the round pen and halted in the middle it. "Ok boy, your gonna be good, ok.?" I told the gelding trying to reassure myself. I placed my foot into the iron stirrup and clutched the front of the saddle, levering myself up and into the saddle. "Phew, one step done." It was my first ride without dad and only my second ride since I lost Tango.

I clicked Galaxy forward into a walk and sat relaxed on his back. I tried not to tense up as it would affect Galaxy, because he can sense what I'm feeling. We walked calmly around the round pen. I felt so calm and my mind wasn't whizzing around as it usually was.

After walking around like this for an hour, I decided it was time to get back to the house.

When we were back in Galaxy's stall I untacked and rugged him up with a summer sheet. I led him back out of the stall and turned him out in a paddock. As soon as I undid his halter and slipped it off, he galloped of, bucking and pig rooting playfully. I closed the gate and dropped the halter beside it.

----------------------------------------------------

We were driving to the hospital for the second time now, finding out the extra pieces of news about mum. We arrived at the hospital and walked the becoming well-known route to my mother's room. I pushed open the door to see my mother's lit up face. It was indescribable all the emotions that were whizzing through me.

"So what's the latest news?" Grandad asked the doctor that stood with them in the room.

"Well... you might not like this but, Samantha has been paralysed."

"WHAT!!!" We all yelled. Mum and dad obviously didn't know yet either so it was a surprise for all of us.

The doctor continued "She has only been paralysed in her back, due to spinal cord injury. This will effect her walking so we will give her an electric wheelchair."

I wasn't sure what to think about all this. I mean, yeah sure I'm frustrated that this has happened to my mum but look, she's still alive and that's the main thing. I perked up and asked "Will she still be able to ride?"

"I'm afraid that will not be possible" He replied solemnly. "What!" Shrieked my mum, it was wonderful that she could talk better now. "I'm sorry but, it's just not possible Samantha, riding would not be safe and to add to it, it would be extremely painful and difficult". I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The fact that mum couldn't ride was dreadful. But if she did attempt to ride, it could be fatal.

Dad thanked the doctor as he left the room. We discussed what the doctor had said for a further hour before heading home.

The hospital had sent us an email telling us that mum would be allowed back home on Friday the 9th of September. "Friday!!! That's ages away!" I yelled. It was only Saturday, I guess I'll just have to pay lots of visits to the hospital.

Hope your enjoying the story so far. What did you think about Maddie's mum being paralysed and never being able to ride again!!! Please vote and comment! Thanks for reading, Steph. xxxxx