Diversity

Matching Tatts

 After an hour of helping Arons family, I was getting a little hungry. I ignored it though. I decided to take a little break so I went out to check on Cherokee. She was sleeping. Lazy bum. I reached for the treats in my pocket from earlier. I walked over to Cherokee and gave her a couple." I should get back to helping girls just a little bit more and we can go. I promise." I promised her. When I came back everything was in the house and the couches, chairs, and tables were in place. " You have been such a big help here thank you so much!" Holly said thankfully.

" It is no problem, I had time. I can ask my grandparents if you and your family can come to dinner lets say...Friday?" I asked They were really nice people and my grandparents would enjoy their company. I would not want to miss out on talking to Aron again. We had not talked a lot today we had been too busy moving things. " Ya, that would work great just make sure to ask your grandparents," Brian said. I have two days until Friday. " I should get going I think that Cherokee is going to go mad if we don't run soon. I enjoyed being with you guys I will let you know what my grandparents say about Friday."

"Thank you, hun, for helping us again see you tomorrow!" Holly said. Before I left I had to have one last look at Aron I looked at her and I knew that was falling for the first time in a long time. I waved and looked Aron up and down one last time and smiled then turned around to head out their front door. It was about 5:30 Am. Time to get moving. I got on Cherokee and clicked. She moved right away for me and we were on our way to the field.

Once we got to the field Cherokee burst into a full lope. The feeling of the wing was amazing. I felt like I was flying. Every tree and blade of grass was a blur. I threw my hands up releasing the reins smiling. Cherokee's hair was beautiful her white hair was flowing with the wind and I could sense that she was as happy as I was. I just feel like I'm on top of the world. I see birds flying in the sky, sandhill cranes by the pond and a doe in the woods. I feel so high right now. I feel alive. Once we rode around for about half an hour I took her saddle and saddle pad off and set it on the ground so I could lay on it.

I let Cherokee graze on the grass as I stare at the sky. I really wonder what Aron is like. I really would like to get to know her. I'm just a little scared after what happened with my ex-boyfriend.  I know that I need to get over it and I will someday just not today or anytime soon.

" What you thinking baby girl?" I asked Cherokee

" I'm sorry for making you wait and stand there baby." I really was and she knew it too but she kept grazing on the grass. My grandpa Jim calls this the " Leo Field" because I come here every morning. He never uses this field for anything anyways so it's my practice field for barrel racing. It's about 7: 45 so  I start to tack Cherokee back up so we can head back so I can finish my daily chores and talk to my grandma. I get on Cherokee after tacking her up and start to leave the field.

I make it to Holly's house and I stop and look at Aron sitting in the yard reading. Should I go over there or not? While I ponder on the idea she sees me and waves me over. I guess I know what I'm going to do now. I clicked at Cherokee and she started trotting up the driveway. Once we had reached Aron I hopped off of Cherokee and walked over to her. 

"So what was that look you gave me for earlier?" Aron asked with a curious look.

"That's for me to know and you to find out, Aron."

"You're an ass you know that?"

" Really? I didn't know I was a mule." I said sarcastically with a smirk on my face.

" Really!?" she said.

" Yup. I'm great aren't I?" 

"Sure." She said as she rolled her eyes. I look down at her book. On her wrist, she has a rainbow bar tattoo. Just like mine.

"Hey didn't know that we shared tats." She looked surprised when I said that.

" Really wears yours?"

" Come swimming with me later and I'll show you. Pick you up around 1 pm?"

" Sure, where we goin'?"

"That's also for me to know and for you to find out. You know how to ride horses?"

" Asshat. Ya, I know how to ride... for the most part."

" Good I'll see you at 1 o'clock then," I said as I turned around and walk over to Cherokee. I hopped on Cherokee and trotted down the driveway. Cherokee started loping along the road as I patted her neck and clicked for her to go into a full lope. It was around We were still ten minutes away from the farm. After I get back I have to brush Cherokee, muck out the horse stalls, feed the horses, water the horses, sweep the barn, and get both Cherokee and Apache ready for a little ride. Apache is a chestnut paint like Cherokee but she does not have as many brown spots and has a white face. She is great for a beginner. I don't know the way that Aron rides so I want her to start off with Apache. Cherokee started to walk now that we were in sight of the farm. I pulled out my phone and started playing Hurricane by I prevail.

(Start song)

Once we got up the driveway and into the barn I got off of Cherokee and untacked her. I took the saddle and saddle pad back to the tack room and grabbed the brushes for Cherokee. I walked back to Cherokee and took her bridle off and put it by her stall. Then I grabbed the firm brush and started brushing were the saddle and the cinch had been then brushed her mane and tail. After that Cherokee followed me out to the pasture so she can go eat.  I grab the manure fork and the wheelbarrow. I started by picking up all the horse shit and putting it into the wheelbarrow. I have ten stalls to clean. Fifteen minutes later I had about nine stalls done.

After I finished with the stalls I went up to the hayloft so I can feed the horses. Once I got up in the loft I started throwing haybales down the ladder shoot. I climbed back down the ladder and started carrying the haybales to the pasture. One hay bale at a time so that makes 10 trips to the barn and pasture. I give them hay bales until my grandpa Jim comes home from work. I look at my phone and it is about 9:45. I have about a little more than three hours left till one. I want about an hour and a half to get ready and fifteen minutes to tack up the horses.

I walk to the yard hydrant and turned it on so the water tank would fill up. It was already half full but I should fill it. I stood watching the water tank for about twenty minutes. While I was doing that is was listing to Octane Big'Uns the whole time. After the tank was full I walked back to the hydrant and turned it off. All that I have left to do now is sweep the barn.

I walk back to the barn and grab the broom. It takes me about twenty to thirty minutes to sweep the barn.  It should take less but I clean it very well. By the time I am done with sweeping the barn and filling the water it is 10:40. I think I might do a little reading then start getting ready. After putting the broom back I start walking to the house.