Some People Change (Currently Editing)

Chapter Twenty-Four

Again, I woke up early that morning. It was six. As far as I could tell, no one was up. I got out of bed anyway, and then got dressed. I sat back down on my bed, and then I just waited for another hour.

Finally, I heard someone walking down the hall. I walked to my door and opened it. It was Freddy. She had her hand raised, as if to knock on my door.

“Hey,” I said.

“Hi,” Freddy replied. “Amy can’t drive us to the stables today, so I guess we’re going to have to walk if we want to go.”

“Do you know the way there? You’d think I know it because I’ve gone there so many times, but…”

“Yeah. I know the way.”

“Well, I’m up for a little walk if you are.”

“You bet. Grab an energy bar or something from the pantry. You’ll probably need something to eat.”

“Okay. I’ll meet you downstairs.”

Freddy nodded, and then I quickly brushed my hair, and threw on my boots. Then, I ran out of my room and raced to the kitchen. I grabbed a chocolate energy bar, and then quickly shoved it in my mouth. I wanted to get to the stables as quickly as I could.

In just ten minutes, Freddy and I were out the door, and headed to the stables. It was only a five minutes drive, but I didn’t know how long it would be on foot.

“So, what do you think you’re going to do today?” Freddy asked.

“I don’t know. I’m hoping to try to ride Zaltana with a saddle.”

“Right, you’ve been riding bareback, haven’t you?”

“Yeah.”

Freddy and I talked until we finally reached the stables. Taylor, Ed, and Jason were all there when Freddy and I got there.

Freddy went to feed the horses with Taylor, and then Ed told me to go get Zaltana. I went to her stall, and when I got there, she was sticking her head out of it. I got Zaltana, and then brought her to the crossties.

Ed and Jason were missing in action, but then they both came out of the tack room. Jason was carrying a bridle and Ed was carrying a saddle, saddle pads, and a cinch. I stroked Zaltana’s muzzle, and then I grinned. 

My brush box was already out, so I quickly groomed her, and then I looked at Ed for further instruction. He told me to take Zaltana outside to work with her with the saddle.

“Let’s put a bridle on her first and then we can try to put a saddle on her.”

I slipped on Zaltana’s bridle with no problem, and then I put the saddle pads on her. She got a little antsy. I put on the saddle anyway, though. I expected Zaltana to go a little crazy, but she didn’t.

“That’s right, Zaltana. Good girl.”

“Let’s see if we can put the cinch on,” Jason said.

I took the cinch from Ed, and then I put it on the saddle. Zaltana still didn’t do anything. 

“Well, she seems fine. Let’s see if you can get on her.” Ed said.

I took Zaltana to the mounting block, and then I hopped on her. Still, Zaltana did absolutely nothing.

“Good girl.”

“Maybe we should’ve tried Zaltana with a saddle first,” Ed said, sounding deep in thought.

“Yeah, maybe,” I replied.