The Dealiest Sin

I watched terrified as he raised the gun. He looked at me and a evil smile crept up his scratched and bruised face. "Say goodbye, little boy, Pa sure is gonna miss you" I barely heard his words for the next thing I knew was a ear splitting bang and a fiery sensation go through my whole left arm.

I took a deep breath through my nose. The air was brisk and there was a hint of manure. I could hear the horses communicating in the west pasture. My job was to break all the new horses that came in almost weekly. The new horses by the way are wild. Today was a big day because we were getting a new batch of wild horses. John, our oldest ranch hand had told me there was a beauty coming in. I couldn't wait to see her. I was in desperate need of a new horse. The one I rode was a beauty, but he was getting old. He was a brown sire with a chestnut colored mane. I named him brownie. I always wanted a horse named Cochise. I was planing on naming brownie that, but it just didn't fit his looks.

Down in the west pasture, things seemed to be going well."Hey guys how's it going?" They all looked up at me and smiled. I returned the gesture politely. "It's going good." John replied. "The one I was telling you about Joe, she's ready to be broke. But I gotta worn ya, she's a tough one." I smiled. "Nothing I can't handle." John laughed as he lead the black and white pinto into the gate. John was right, she was a beauty! The way she walked and the way the sun shone off her black spots. I instantly knew I had to have that horse. I wasn't gonna let it go quickly. If what John said was true,then I was gonna have to put a lot of effort into breaking her. But was that effort worth it? I watched as she stomped her foot and threw back her head like she owned the place. Her long black and white mane flowing in the wind. Yes, I decided. The effort was worth it. "Okay, saddle her up!" I yelled as I climbed off Brownies back. I tied him to the hitch post and patted his neck before walking over to the corral. She didn't like being tied up, I noted when I was near enough. She was snorting and thrashing her head back and forth. "Woah, easy girl." I said and grabbed her reins. She snorted and bared her teeth. I sighed, boy I was gonna be sore tomorrow. "Okay ready Joe?" John asked watching me. "When have I never been ready?" I joked, but secretly I wasn't sure if I could do it. "Well that's true." John said holding her steady. Slowly and carefully, I climbed on her. She stood stalk still. I defiantly could feel myself on her for the rest of my life. I felt one with the horse. I gave John a small nod, and he opened the gate. At first, she didn't move. But with a blink of an eye she shot out of the gate and bucked wildly. It took all I had to hold on. I had to move with the horse. Everything was going fine, and I really thought I was gonna break her, until I felt the saddle slip. I feverishly grabbed the reins tighter, trying to pull myself up, but it was no use. I prayed she wouldn't buck because if she did I would go flying. "Hold on Joe!" I barely heard the hands yell. To my horror she leaped up on her hind legs. I felt my body slip from the saddle. It felt like I was flying. Finally, my body hit the ground with a sickening thud. My whole body hurt. I barely recalled the hands helping me out of the corral. "Joe, Joe. . .can you hear me?" John asked grasping my shoulders. I looked up at him a bit dazed, but nodded anyway. "Yeah I'm fine. You were right she's gonna be a tough one." John gave me a tentative smile and helped me into a sitting position. "I think you did enough for today?" I felt a stab of annoyance. He didn't have any right to tell me what to do. "No, I'm fine!" I snapped getting to my feet. Wrong move. My whole body was throbbing, and I felt dizzy. Maybe John was right I reluctantly thought. I looked up at John and I knew he could tell. "Come on" he said grabbing my elbow, leading me over to Brownie. I was just about to mount him, but before I did, I turned and said. "I'm gonna break that horse, even if it kills me"

I didn't think my pa and brothers would be on me this much. I mean, I was always sore after breaking horses. Well, I guess they could tell it was different this time. Was it the way I walked? Or the way I moaned when I sat down? I don't know, but I know this, no matter what I can't tell them. Pa would surely have me stay around the house if he knew how much pain I was in. I couldn't let that happen especially since I wanted so bad to break the beast. That's what I'm gonna call her until she's mine.