The Perfect Frame

4

I woke up on my own today. 

Well, I heard the laughter downstairs and decided I didn't want to miss out. So, I brushed through my hair because I had taken a shower last night and put on some clean clothes before rushing down stairs.

When I walked downstairs, I suddenly wished I had put on something other than sweatpants and a t-shirt. 

I knew who the woman was immediately. It's like you never forget. That and Carter didn't look too happy.

Her hair was pin straight and long. Blonde. She was an exact replica of her daughter, the one she raised. I wished I couldn't see any similarities between us, but she was my mother. We had the same face, the same nose, lips, everything. Thankfully, she looked okay with hers. To be honest, she was gorgeous. Her outfit made me uncomfortable, though. There's just some skirts and ow shirts I didn't want to see my "mother" in. Hers were some on the "no" list.

"Sklyer? Is that you?"

I nodded, not sure what to say to her. She clicked her way over to me and embraced me, tightly. It was uncomfortable. I put a light hand on her hand, hoping she'd catch that I didn't want her to hug me. Trying to give off some hint. 

I looked behind her, though. Carter, arms crossed stared at the corner of the house. He wasn't happy and that was for sure. Lana was sitting at the table wither grandma and the team. 

The team who consisted of Jacoby. He was looking right at me. 

Do these people ever eat at their house?

My mother pulled away, and looked me over.

"Well, your father definitely raised you,"

"And he did a damn good job. Let's get some food," Carter said, taking my arm and guiding me away from my mother. 

I let him and took a seat next to him on the end and across from Jacoby. Lynn gave me a smile and set down her fork. The girls at the end of the table didn't pay me any attention.

"Good morning, Skyler," Lynn said.

"Good morning," I said back.

This morning was a lot of things and I'm not sure I would've used good to describe it. 

"So, did you have any plans today?" Lynn asked.

I gave her a curious look. I looked to her and Jacoby and back to her. 

"I didn't really have anything planed," I said.

She smiled, "Don't worry. No lesson, I heard all about your lesson preferences," She laughed a little. "But, I was wondering if I could watch you ride today. I just want to see what you and Jett can do together. Just watching,"

"Oh, that's fine. What did you want to see? I mean, you've seen me jump. He's pretty responsive so I can get him to do just about anything,"

She thought, "I was thinking a dressage day? Does he do anything like that?"

I nodded, "Yeah, he's a bit rough with his side passes, but he can do them. It's just not something we practice all the time."

So after I ate, I went upstairs to change. I put on some full-seat breeches and put my hair into a low ponytail. 

I went out to the barn and gave Jett a few treats before getting him ready to ride. I had his saddle on, his boots on, and his polo wraps. All I needed were his bridle.

I searched the tack room and I couldn't find the right bridle. I frowned and looked around. 

I went outside, cursing myself for leaving Jett in his stall with his saddle on. If he broke it, I'd be screwed and have to pay hundreds of dollars for a saddle like that one. The sentimental value was more than money though. It was given to me by my father, my first saddle. He had wanted me to be a dressage rider. Jett was still young and dressage was something he just sometimes didn't understand.