Destiny

Chapter 23

We hear nothing from the vet for three days after the accident. The only thing that makes me feel a little better is the police finally have a lead on the man who attacked Destiny. My dad was correct when he said he was the guy who lived down the road from us.

He seemed to have vanished overnight until someone reported to have seen him leaving a Quiktrip with a drink in one hand and the keys to a beaten and battered truck in the other.

Finally, I hear the phone ring and I'm sitting up in my room with (surprise) a sketchbook in my lap. At first I think it's another relative of ours calling to check on us or to comment on how frightening the whole ordeal must of been. It's not until I heard the formal tone of my mother's voice did I perk up.

"Hello" She said in the voice she only uses when on a business call or anyone she thinks deserves the respect of a formal tone. "Oh hello Dr. Richards"

At these words I scramble off my bed and join my mother downstairs where she has already been surrounded by the rest of my family.

"uh yes. Oh that's wonderful!" I hear her say only getting to hear one half of the conversation. "Yes I'll tell her" My mom looks over to me and smiles "Alright, thank you Dr. Richards"

Mom hangs up the phone and turns to me "Destiny is going to be fine. She should come home in a week or so. There is a bit of bad news though" I bite my lip when she says this

"Destiny won't be able to be a competition horse. The injuries she sustained to her shoulder would cause problems for her. He said she might be able to do light work but nothing major like competition."

I nod my head. I'm a little upset but I would much rather have Destiny safe and sound at home rather than risking another accident.

Just as the Vet promised, Destiny comes home a week later. Her shoulders bandaged and she limps down which causes my throat to close up a little but I stretch out my hand and take the lead rope from the vets assistant.

Mom and Dad talk with the vet, probably about paying him, while Hannah follows me into the barn. We don't talk but seem to know exactly what the other is thinking. Hannah moves towards the feed room while I led Destiny slowly down the aisle. Letting her take her time limping.

Hannah comes and pours feed into her feed bucket and I throw extra hay down from the hay loft to make a softer bed for Destiny to lie on.

Destiny eats a couple mouthful of feed and gulps a little water before dropping her head and sleeping. I stare at her with a lump in my throat as I see that her breathing is labored and it's obvious she's in pain.

Hannah and I walk away from Destiny s stall and back down the barn aisle. As we walk, Hannah puts her arm around me and then I turn and give her a hug. I can tell I surprise her for a second but then she returns my hug.

Then I start crying there against my older sisters shoulder. She doesn't let go of me and I have no intention of letting go of her.