Baby Boots

2: The Edge

Jorge has a sense of humor.

Old Reliable lived up to her name with every kink and huff she threw at me. It felt like she was fighting me on every decision I made and when she would finally agree she would buck her steering wheel before letting all her worries set free.

I don't know how many times I've hit the brakes and made a car go around me but I'm pretty sure I'm on the sheriffs most wanted list.

Did she pass her inspection before registration...?

I have no earthly idea.

Maybe Jorge forged the papers because I'm pretty sure the drivers belt has been jammed in place for a hot minute.

But... she's got me to and from work in one peace.

And when I got home last night, I thanked her for being the reliable girl she claims to be...

"Celeste!" Came a hiss and I jerked the kettle away from the overflowing mug. "Are you trying to burn my hand off!?"

I shook my head a bit before looking up at my good friend Dara with a bashful smile. "Sorry, you were saying?"

"Forget it." She pulled a napkin out of the dispenser centered on her table and cleaned up the spilt coffee. Watching her wave her hands around and find more coffee puddles, I plopped down on the booth across from her with a sigh.

"How's your families ranch?" I asked sheepishly trying to get her mind off her second degree burn.

"Uh... alright." She grumbled. "My Dad is trying to sell our winning horse before the big rodeo."

"What!? Why?"

"Well, he only has a few more years on him. And besides, I'm not riding anymore and my dad doesn't know anyone good enough to take Air Born to the races or even trust anyone for that fact." She rolled her pretty blues before balling up the now soaked napkin.

Dara Darlene, who I claimed as America's sweetheart, competed in the Kentucky Derby seven times and won first place five times. In her teen years, she fell in love with barrel racing and eventually became a coach for young girls in the making. Her family owned a ranch filled with horses racking up trophies but as she gets older and her father runs out of time, they're ranch seems to become more unstable by the day.

Reaching up to release her dirty blonde tresses from a messy bun, she sighed, " I don't know what we're going to do honestly, I'm trying to convince him to breed Air Born but he keeps saying no mare is good enough for him. The old fart can barely see out his good eye..."

We both chuckled at her remark before Sally placed a piece of cherry pie in between us. "On the house," she winked before walking back to the kitchen.

"You want to know something funny about small towns," Dara frowned at the pie and picked up a fork. "No matter how old you get, they still see you as that child who threw mud pies at the chickens." I laughed at she poked the pie to mush.

"I don't see the downside..." I smiled.

"Of course you don't." She put her fork down. " 'Cause you city folk just don't get it...'" we both busted into a fit of laughter before clearing our throats and looking around.

"Talking about dating websites... when are you gonna settle down and give your dad some grandkids-"

The next thing I knew I was getting sprayed with coffee.

"Bitch, please!" Her noise wrinkled up as I sat their drenched in backwash... "A girl like me is expected to get married to that little badass kid down the street who would put spit balls in my hair during my grade school years! Like Jimmy, for Christ sake. What kind of name is Jimmy!?"