Rodeo Jumper

The Awaiting Storm

I stare blankly out the window as we drive down the cobblestone window, I look at the scenery without really seeing it, the last two months have been a blur, with the funeral, court cases and arguments of what will happen to me, since I was too young to run a property, they sold it all off, everything, the cattle, the farm, even the horses. I don't remember anything other than the steer knocking them down, the crowd gasping and I was told the scream was from me before blacking out... Then nothing. I woke up two days later in a hospital bed, I heard voices saying that they couldn't do anything to save him, that he had a heart attack, then they were discussing what would happen to me, my uncle and aunt couldn't take me, my grandparents were dead, there was only one last option... My mother. I didn't want to hear it so I pretended to wake up by groaning and the voices stopped instantly, a nurse came in and started talking to me.

'Jessie, Jessie can you here me? Do you know what's going on? Where you are? What's happened?'

I open my eyes and am greeted by three faces, the nurse, my aunt and my dads lawyer.

'I remember the rodeo, the steer, and my father going down, is he ok? Where is he? I want to see him!!' I demanded trying to sit up

'Don't try get up sweety, just rest.' My aunt Phoebe said softly.

'I'm so sorry Jessie, they tried to save him, but the herd was too frantic, and by the time they got to him it was too late.' Dads lawyer said

I collapsed back into the bed, closing my eyes, I started to sob and once I started the tears just flowed, everyone tried comforting me, but I just wanted everyone to leave.

The funeral was a week later, and just about the whole town came to give their condolences, which I ignored. Kyle stood by me the whole service, they wanted me to say a few words but I couldn't do it, I had barely spoken to anyone but Kyle, luckily no-one expected me to speak. The weeks after that was a lot of back and forwards, determining my fate, but the way I saw it, my life was over, they had taken everything from me, so I didn't really care what happened to me, the only time I gave my opinion was when anyone every mentioned my mother. She left when I was two, so I barely remember her, she ran off with some guy to Perth or something, as far as I was concerned, she was just a stranger and I wasn't afraid to voice it, but since I was a minor I had no say in my life, so off to Perth I went.

As we stopped at the house I looked out the window and before me was some kind of mansion, I was a long way from home, and I wasn't happy about it. I didn't dare get out the car until my aunt came around and opened the door, making it obvious this is my stop, I reluctantly stepped out of the car, gripping my cowgirl hat and looked at the house, it was bigger than our school. A man in a suit opened the front door letting out a lady with the same long blonde hair as me walked out and down the steps towards me, I can only assume that she's Ruby Jackson, mother... So far I'm not impressed, I look her up and down, her perfectly waxed eyebrows, Chocolate brown eyes, makeup that's too thick, manicured nails, expensive fur coat, gold jewellery and four inch heels, she makes it hard to believe she was every from a small town like Campelton. I can tell she was scrutinising me too.

'Hmmm, I expected her to look, well, prettier.' she says finally, with a disappointed look.

'Well I'm sorry I'm not a model like your dolled up daughter is.' I spat

'We'll have to work on your manners, now Aunrey, come get her belongings, I can imagine there's not much.'

'Coming ma'am,' the man in the suit said rushing down the stairs.

'We'll take you to the boarding school tomorrow I guess, that way we can at least make you look half presentable, I'm sure Ariana can do something with you, she's worked miracles before.'