October Story Contest

One Crazy Horse
By: perdjie
Age: 12

It was about four o’clock before we really got moving from the horse show, which had started at eight that morning. Sassy, my best friend Alex’s horse, had given trouble boxing again. As we rode in the Land Rover, I let my blond hair fall lose from its braid. My green eyes danced as I looked behind me at the horses. Sassy was reaching for the hay net, and my horse, Lady, was sort of dozing. “Harry!” My mom suddenly screamed. We swerved and skidded into a field, the car was rocking uncontrollably, and we were screaming, uncontrollably. The car hit something, and stopped.
I went into a black room, and suddenly, and very unpleasantly, I relived the two hours before the accident.

 “The results of the 90cm show jumping competition are as follows. In first place, Summer Andrews, on Lady Mistic!” I smiled and walked Lady towards the judges’ box. “Well done!” The official shook my hand and moved on to the rider next to me. I congratulated Alex on her third place, and cantered my lap of honor, laughing as Lady bucked playfully. “Well done, Summer!” My mom congratulated me.
“You did very well!” Alex added with a grin, pleased with her third place. “Let’s go home.” My dad suggested. I beamed, very proud of my horse.
“We won girlie, out of 58 competitors…”
 
I awoke from my dazed state to a short moment of silence. “Is…” Mom’s voice trailed off, but then continued. “Is everyone ok?” Her shaky voice asked. “Yes…” I said, rubbing the growing bump on my head. Alex said she was fine too. Dad gently touched mom’s arm. Suddenly sitting upright, I slammed against the door.
“Summer…” I didn’t listen, but tried yet again to open the door. I moved just enough for me to slip out. I ran towards the horse box. One of its wheels was stuck in a ditch, which must have stopped us. Though, right at that moment I could not have cared less.
“Lady!” I called. I could hear Sassy alright. I then noticed that Lady’s side of the horsebox had broken in the crash, and she was running. Alex came to free Sassy, and I went running after my horse. “Lady!” She stopped at a fence. “Whoa girlie.” I murmured, slowing to a walk. Lady was scared, trembling with absolute fear. “It’s only me.” She snorted and backed away. Lady had always loved me, she had never been afraid of me. It cut deep into my heart to see her terrified of me. “It’s ok… Calm down girlie.” Lady reared, and ran. I leaped sideways, tripped, and fell hard on my bruised arm. I lay there, watching my terrified mare run away from me.
 “Just a bruise, but you’ll be fine.” The doctor said smiling. I did not smile. All through his examination I had wondered what had become of my horse.
Did they find her? Was she hurt? “Summer,” Mom stood in the waiting room, Dad and Alex with her. “Are you ok?” I asked. They all nodded. “Did you find Lady?” Again they all nodded. “And… She’s ok?” They nodded yet again, all except Alex, who was as honest as always. “She’s terrified! She won’t let anyone get close to her.”
She said, and I remembered yet again how frightened she was. I had put her in the horse box. People had done that to her… I did not realize just yet how much that would affect our bond.
My horse’s black coat shone in the sun as I watched her stare at me in the paddock. I had and apple, and usually the scent would send her running. I think it did.  It sent her running away from me. Fingering my brown hair, I frowned. It was frustrating. I had thought she would have calmed down by now. Nevertheless, here she was, in the back paddock. Lady had even runaway from Berry, who was supposed to be her best friend.
The sweet mare was deeply surprised to see her friend kick and rear. “Lady!” I called softly. Her head shot up, alert, and frightened. I entered slowly. Lady gave a height and flight reaction, and galloped to the furthest end of the paddock. It stung, to see her run away yet again. “I ride will clear my head.” I said to myself. I almost kicked myself when I saddled Berry. I called Alex, who ran quickly to saddle Sassy. “Are you ok?”
Alex asked when she had mounted. “Yes. Berry’s a good mount.” However, I knew what she really meant. “Ugh… Alex, I was there when she was born; I lead her around on a halter. I broke her in. Now she’s so scared of me, that she runs at any sound I make.”
Alex was silent. What could she say?
I lay in my bed. It was past midnight. Alex lay sleeping soundly on the twin bed across the room. I thought how ironic it was that I had won at the show. I could not sleep. It broke my heart to see Lady so distrusting. Then it suddenly entered my mind, a thought, a hope. “I can regain her trust.” I whispered. Then suddenly more firmly. “I will regain her trust.”   

I started trying to help Lady the next day. I stood outside the paddock, unsure. Then I went inside, which sent Lady running again. “Oh, Lady.” I said softly, and sat down in the soft grass. Lady eyed me critically, and I suspected that she was awaiting my leave. I didn’t leave. The day dragged on, and Alex joined me, bringing gifts, about 1 o’clock.
“Thanks.” I said as I ate my sandwich. Alex shrugged. “She’s lost all trust hasn’t she?” I nodded.
Alex sipped at her soda, smiling softly. “Do you know what I’ve been doing?” I shook my head.
“No.” Alex smiled. “I’ve tried to find a funny quote that relates to your situation.” I smiled.
“Did you find one?”
“When nothing goes right, go left!”
“That’s a good one, Alex!” I was silent for a moment. “Alex, which way is left?” Alex eyed me sadly. “Only God knows. However, I’m sure He will show you when you’re ready.” I hadn’t thought about God much since our accident. I was a Christian, so I really should be praying right now. “I lowered my eyes. “You can’t heal Lady by yourself, Summer.” I knew it was true.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” I said the familiar verse. I closed my eyes and prayed. “Help me trust You.”

I sat eating an apple at breakfast. My mom and Alex were bringing their heads together. They were constantly giving suggestions on how to help terrified Lady. “Maybe you should consult a vet.” Alex said suddenly.
“What? Why?”
“You need a consultation on how to treat Lady.”
I thought about it, nibbling at my apple. “Isn’t there a specialist?” Alex looked skeptical. “Oh yes absolutely! They are called ‘MAD HORSE SPEICALISTS’. I laughed. “I’ll give Carl a call.” True to my word, I called the young vet. “Good morning, this is Carl.” I quickly replied, with a hello, and the normal ‘How are you’. “Yes, I want a… consultation.” I said. Alex smiled. “What for?” He asked. I filled him in on Lady’s ‘condition’. “She must have gotten a very big scare.” Carl said reasonably. “And now you want some advice on how to regain her trust?” I said answered with a grateful, yet skeptical ‘Yes.’
 “Well,” Carl paused. “All I can think of is to start over. Think newborn filly, taking on her first training.” I thought about it for a moment.
 “Like, lunging, join up, that stuff?” I could hear Carl nodding. “Start with join up. Chase her around for a bit. Summer,” he paused.
 “I know this is old school, and join up is really used in almost every book available, IT DOES NOT JUST HAPPEN! This is going to take a lot of work, and patience.” We said our goodbyes, and I hung up. “He said to chase her around.” I explained to Alex. She looked puzzled, but then laughed. “Well, I’m going to ride Sassy in the ring, so you can go chase your horse.” I smiled; good friends always knew what to say. Right then I wanted to do it alone.

I entered the paddock quietly, but it still sent Lady running. “Well at least I’ll lose some weight doing this.” I murmured. I walked towards Lady, and found out that I should actually run. For almost an hour I chased Lady. Left right, North, South, we did it all. Finally, I had to stop. I turned my back on Lady, knowing it probably wouldn’t work.  As expected, Lady simply retreated into a corner. “If we do this everyday, then I’ll be able to run 24 kilometers nonstop in about an hour.” I mumbled. So it went, day after day. In 2 days there was no improvement, in a week Lady sort of sighed when I came along. Finally I just couldn’t any more. “Lord,” I prayed. “I know you’re here with me. But it doesn’t feel like Your helping me much.” I paused. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” I knew the verse, and I knew what I needed to do. “Lord, I’ll try and trust You, but it seems easier when You wrote it in black and white.”

The next day, I walked yet again into Lady’s paddock. I had decided not to try and join up today. I sat down on the grass, and watched. Lady eyed my cautiously. “Oh, Lady! You weren’t suspicious of the horsebox the first time you saw it. Now look at you.” Just that trigged a huge tower of memories to fall, and I said each one loud so that Lady could hear. My first show, when Lady was born… Finally I was talked out. I lay back in the soft grass. A gentle breeze flowed through the grass. The sun was setting, sending rays of sunshine flying to throw color on the clouds, I was surprised at the time. So tired...

I awoke to something tickling me. I opened my eyes to see… Lady! As soon as I lifted my hand though, Lady neighed in terror. She reared, I screamed, and rolled out under the fence. “Some alarm you are girl.” I glanced at my watch, 5:30 in the morning. I leaned against the fence post and sighed, I closed my eyes. I suddenly fell back into dreamland’s pit.
I was riding… bareback. We were galloping through long green grass, with a blue sky above us. My horse snorted, and shook herself when we stopped. I realized I was riding Lady. Suddenly, she was galloping away from me. I was no longer riding. I couldn’t stop her….

The sun threw ‘wakeup’ rays at me… again. As I blinked my eyes, I realized they felt like death rays. It was 8:07. Breakfast should be ready and eaten by now. I directed my eyes toward the farmhouse. It seemed so far away. Sighing, I pushed myself up. Lady’s ears flicked, but she was already at the farthest end of the paddock, so she didn’t gallop away from me. My legs felt like lead as I walked to, and opened the backdoor. Alex started chocking on her eggs as soon as she saw me. “Um, Summer! You look… unique.”

She managed after a gulp of water. I ignored her comment, poured cereal and milk into a bowl, sat down and ate. “Morning, Summer.” Mom said, her eyes twinkling. “Oh, Alex. I think a better word is distinctive.” They laughed, and I ate smiling. Mom got a brush from her room and ran it through my hair gently. Grass fell onto the floor in heaps. “Did you enjoy your warm bed last night?” Alex teased. I stuck out my tongue. “Well, I’m going riding. Want to come?” She asked laughingly. I shrugged. “Ok. But I’m eating and changing first!”
Like my dream, we were soon galloping across a field, except it was Berry now. I laughed when she gave a small buck. We stopped at a stream, and let the horses drink. “Any progress with Lady?” I shrugged. “Not really.” Alex laughed the carefree and beautiful laugh that we all treasured. She saw the frown forming on my forehead and changed the subject. “How are things at school?” She asked.
“Adam’s still there. We are in math together.”
“You speak to the enemy?” Alex asked frowning. I laughed. Alex and Adam have had an all-time feud since he slipped a frog onto her lap in recesses one day. “Nope, I just sometimes see him in the back of the class room.” Alex laughed. This was nice, and I fingered my saddle in thought. “We should go back.” I said at last.
I stared the uneaten apple in my hand, and was sitting on the paddock fence. Alex was next to me. “Have you tried joined up yet?”
“Yes.”
“Are you going to again?” I entered the paddock as an answer. As expected, Lady ran. Sighing, I started to run too. I was running when Alex left, I ran when the sun was hot, I ran when I had a pain in my side. Finally, breathing heavily, I had to stop. Lady’s coat was sweat filled, but I was sure she could still run away. “This… Isn’t work… working.” I said panting. I needed a brain storm. There were two perfect people. I knew. 
“I’m out of ideas Sum,” Alex said, while eating a banana. Mom shrugged her shoulders. “Me too honey… There is not much I can do. You’ll need to figure this out by yourself.” She paused and rummaged around in the fridge. “We’re out of milk again!” Mom said shaking her head. I sighed and peeled a banana. “Maybe you should just ignore her.” Alex said. “How would that help?” I asked. Alex shrugged. “Well that’s what we always do with boys.” We all burst out with laughter. “Ok, fine. I’ll give it a try.”
The next morning I just sat, reflecting. I’ve been ‘just sitting’ a lot lately. But it had always been out of confusion, now it was peaceful, with a purpose. Lady was watchful and weary, and I watched her with interest. Her coat was dirty and her mane was tangled, yet she seemed perfectly content. A sudden tear sprang up and perched itself on the rim of my eyelid. Why are you so scared, Lady? I had raised the horse from birth. Closing my eyes I remembered it so clearly. I was a little girl, watching wide eyed at Sundown, the black mare, in labor. Then as my mom helped the little black bundle immerge, I had to laugh. Then through the years, I trained her, with devoted help from my family.

Every time I came near, Lady would trot over. Opening my eyes I almost cried. Lady was in the farthest corner of the paddock. I sighed and opened my book. The story line was followed, the next day, and the day after that, and the day after that, until I heard a horse’s soft hoof beat. Without looking up, I smiled. It had to be Lady! When I looked up, it was Berry. I wondered how the strawberry roan had escaped from her paddock. “Oh, Berry.” I said and sighed. Finally I rubbed her nose. Lady snorted. “Jealous?” I asked laughing. Lady pranced in her little corner. She had responded! It wasn’t much, but it was progress.
I wondered what to do with Lady. Sighing, I didn’t hear the phone ring or my mother pick it up. What I did hear, though, were fatal words. “Little Johanna! Oh sure she can come!” I stared at my mother, panic spreading over my face. After she hung up I practically shouted, “JOHANNA?! Mom, you cannot be series!” Mom put on her stern face. “I am! Her parents are going on a business trip, and she has to stay here. Now I know you don’t like your cousin,” I interrupted her.
“Mom the little… thing ruined my life last year! She’s literally a big fat snob!” Mom sighed.
“Summer she’s lost a lot of weight! Now whether you like it or not Johanna is coming to stay for two weeks!” I stared at her wide eyed. “TWO WEEKS?!” Mom nodded. I groaned. Mom suddenly laughed. I eyed my mother suspiciously.
“Who and what?” Asked Alex as she can into the room. Mom and I ignored Alex’s question and her puzzled expression. I gave in and stopped arguing. Alex sat munching on her toast.
“Who’s Johanna?” I sighed.
“My cousin. Or, as I like to call her, my personal pain.” I shut-up at mom’s glare.
Johanna arrived the next day. She was from Johannesburg, and was a proper city girl. I suppose she was friendly enough, but she didn’t have a clue when it came to farm life. The last time she visited she almost burned down the barn with a candle and the excuse that it was dark. “Hello Joe!” Mom called. Joe smiled and lifted her suitcase out of the car. She was much thinner than she was when I’d last seen her.
“Hi Summer!” Came the friendly greeting. I was surprised. “Uh… hi Joe.” I looked at Alex, who shrugged.
“This is Alex.” Joe smiled, and greeted her warmly. “Will I be riding Birdie again?” Birdie was the calmest horse we had. “Uh, yeah sure.” Joe looked uncomfortable. “You know I’ve been taking riding lessons.” I was startled. “And I know how stupid I was last year.” I nodded, and looked past her to wave at Mrs. Edelstein. “So I’m sorry.” I shrugged. “All’s well that ends well.” I said, though I didn’t mean it.  Joe smiled broadly, not catching the slight sarcasm in my voice. “Let’s go riding.” Alex suggested. “Maybe Joe would like to get used to Birdie again.” Joe laughed. “Just so you know, I can canter, but go easy, ok?” I shrugged. As we turned toward the barn, I caught mom mouthing, ‘BE NICE!’

As we saddled up I was inclined to show off by riding bareback on Berry, though I didn’t at Alex’s silent prompting. But as I saddled the bay I couldn’t help but feel sad that it wasn’t Lady. Joe made it worse. “Hey where is that pretty black you had?” I cringed.
“She was in a…. accident.” Alex informed her. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!” I shrugged.
“She’s not dead.” I said shortly, but in fact in a very mean way. Joe looked quizzically at us but dropped the subject. I mounted up and watched as Joe did the same. She had improved a lot. As we walked into the green fields, Alex chatted happily with the newcomer.
“Hey. Joe, are you sure you want to canter?” I asked. “Yes!”
So we kicked off, and Joe kept up well. As we headed for a log, I vaguely thought if Joe could jump. Apparently not, because there was a shout from behind. I cleared and turned to see if Joe would be able to jump. She fell onto Birdie’s neck and held on for dear life. Surprisingly, she remained on the sweet horse. “Good job!” I couldn’t help saying. “Is that your first time?” Joe nodded. “And on a canter! Wow!” Alex added. “Thanks.” Joe said straightening in the saddle.
“Next time, remember to stand in your stirrups.” Joe looked at me, not grasping what I’d said.

Her black hair was flying loose out of the braid she had hurriedly made on the way to the barn. She had blue eyes, and was surprisingly thin. “It’s like this,” I said. I rose in my stirrups to show her how it’s done. “Oh, I get it!” She rose in her stirrups. I nodded. “Do you want to try again?” Joe nodded and we cantered toward the jump. When I was over I glanced back to see how Joe jumped. She did it perfectly! I was little had torn now. I had this argument inside my head. Wow she’s doing great!HEY! Remember what a pain she was last year?People change! Sorry for thinking about me and Alex! Well, they like each other. 

Yeah right, Alex is just putting on a face! No she’s not! Alex won’t go as low as that! I sighed; if I could I would leave these two voices standing. Luckily I could make them stop instead. “Good job!” I said. Joe shrugged but beamed broadly. I don’t know why but something in that irritated me. Maybe because she was scowling half the time last year.
“She’s really not that bad!” Alex said. I groaned. “How can I concentrate on Lady if Joe is here?” Alex frowned. “You’re supposed to be ignoring her!”
“I can’t. Mom wants me to be nice to her.” I said.
“I meant you’re supposed to ignore Lady!” Alex replied.
“Oh… That’s not working out so well!”
“Well, just try harder! And I think you’re over reacting about Joe! I think she’s nice!” Alex replied. I couldn’t help it, but just then a voice inside of me said, “Well, thank goodness I don’t care what you think!”
“Well, you be nice to her then!” I said, suddenly defensive.
“Hey, why are you yelling at me?”
“I’m not yelling,” I said icily. Then I sighed. “Sorry, Alex. I didn’t mean to snap at you.” Before she could answer, Joe walked in, but I caught the understanding look Alex gave me. “I’m so tired!” Joe said. She didn’t show any signs of hearing the argument.
 “Morning!” I said as Alex and Joe walked down the stairs. “You’re up early!” Alex said. I nodded. “I’ve decided to isolate her, since ignoring her is not really working.” Alex understood that we were talking about Lady, but Joe only stared at me. “Who, what, and why?” She asked. “Nothing,” I mumbled, and ate another spoonful of cereal. “Oh, Summer,” Mom said shaking her head. After breakfast, we went out to look at the horses. Each was grazing happily, and I couldn’t help looking for Lady. I had decided to drive her up to the old barn up top, but was still planning on how. Joe and Alex walked on while I went to Lady’s paddock.

“Oh girlie what am I going to do with you?” Lady reared and galloped to the far side. I got an idea. Running to the barn I grabbed my tack and caught Berry. “Time for the rodeo!” I said softly. I rode to Lady’s paddock, and opened Lady’s paddock gate. As expected Lady reared in terror at the sight. She bolted around the paddock and I chased her. “Sorry girl, you’ve got to be cruel to be kind.” I herded her out side, and then the real fun began. I galloped after my horse, and cut her off so that she wheeled to the left. She zigzagged for I while, exhausting me. Finally, I got her headed for the top barn. Still galloping, I herded my horse into the barn, barely stopped Berry before I jumped off and closed the barn door. There was silence. The old, empty barn creaked eerily. Then I heard Lady sigh, snort, and then shuffle about. I knew there was plenty of hay and water, since I had moved some up the day before. “Well,” I said softly. “It’ll be easy to ignore you, since you’re so set on staying away from me. I thought about Joe. “She just better stay away from my horse.” I muttered.

 I found Alex and Joe riding in the ring when I arrived dirty and tired. “What happened to you?” I shrugged, and told them not to go to the top barn. “Why?” Joe asked. “Just don’t go, okay? It might be dangers.” I said. It was true; Lady could do anything if threatened in the small space. Joe looked annoyed and scowled, and pestered me to tell her. “It’s just…. Oh just DON’T GO THERE!” When I shouted this into her ear, Joe shut up, but she still scowled. Alex feeling the tension suggested a ride. I shrugged and frowned. Joe turned to Alex and muttered something I couldn’t catch, and Alex giggled. “I’ll saddle Berry,” I said softly. I don’t think the heard me, they were so engrossed in gossiping about me. I was very hurt that Alex would actually side against me! I sighed as I threw a saddle unto the strawberry roans back. “Do you hate me, girl?” I asked her. Berry turned her head to me and bobbed it up and down. “Yep, I’m pretty sure you do!” Though, I was also sure that she wanted the carrot in my pocket.
I didn’t speak to either Alex or Joe for the entire ride. About halfway through, they began laughing uncontrollably about a joke I did not catch. I was feeling pretty mad and alone, so I galloped away from the pair, seemingly unnoticed.
I was already eating my lunch calmly when Alex and Joe returned. I pointed at the two sandwiches on the tabled, pretending to be chewing. The truth being I wasn’t in the mood to talk to either of them. Alex looked at me confused. “OH, you’re here!” She said. I just had to sad, “Yes, you didn’t miss me, I see.” Before Alex could answer, Joe raced up and started talking all about their wonderful ride. I finished my sandwich and took my plate to the sink. I wondered about Lady, though, on my way to my room. I wondered if she was a miserable as I was. Yet another argument aroused inside of me, and I listened to the voices shouting back at fourth.STOP BEING SO MISRABLE! It’s not my fault my life is a wreck! It is your fault that you haven’t fixed it yet! How can I fix it? It’s just impossible! It’s like a thousand piece puzzle! People have completed thousand piece puzzles you know! I’m not one of them! You never will be if you don’t dig yourself out of this hole! I don’t have a shovel to dig myself out with! USE YOUR IMAGINATION! It is there for some reason isn’t it? Oh, ok… I’ll show you my imagination! I have a shovel I’m digging and digging! It’s getting me nowhere!It’s not my fault you can’t think of a hypothetical shovel! I can to! Let’s see… Lady! I could work on Lady and forget all about Joe! That’s not a shovel! That’s making the hole deeper. Until she leaves… then I can get out of the hole! That’s not- But I got my jacket and for a moment stared at the neglected Bible on my dresser. Then, shrugging I ran downstairs, ignoring the guilty feelings. For a moment I paused to think of the possible danger of putting Lady in the barn. If I went in and she reared or something…. I put my thoughts aside, and fought against my common sense.
 Opening the door a heard a snort. In the barn Lady shook her head. She backed to the far end of the barn, but didn’t rear or buck. “Remember me, girlie?” I asked tenderly. Lady flicked her ears in recognition.
I took a step nearer. That was mistake #1.
Mistake 2# was leaving the barn door open.

Lady bolted, and knocked my down as she surged past. I sat on my backside for a moment in shock. I could see her running down the hill. Regaining my senses I grabbed a halter hanging on the barn hall. Berry was ready and waiting in a paddock quite close. I slipped the halter on. This was not the first time I had ridden with only a halter. I tied the lead rein to make a lope like reins. Jumping on I thought of the fence, quite suddenly. I had already pushed Berry into a gallop and was heading straight towards it! I sat up straight, counted my strides, and YES! I had cleared the fence! Berry seemed to feel the energy, and since I had little control, we galloped on. Lady wheeled left and right, and so did I. I sat well and didn’t slip or slide on Berry’s back. “Ok, come on Berry!” I kicked her forward, and we shot after Lady, who was conveniently heading towards an enclosed space. The riding ring! It seemed perfect, until I noticed that both Alex and Joe were in the ring!
“GET OUT!” I shouted in the wind. The probably didn’t hear me, because the continued staring intently at us. Lady galloped into the ring and started to buck and rear when she saw the others. Joe said something to Alex, pointing to Lady, Alex nodded and replied. They cantered out, and I quickly jumped off to latch the gate. “I told you to get out.” I said in apology. Joe’s Eyes were wide with fear, but Alex’s looked at me in silent understanding. Though Joe was not as understanding. “That, that THING COULD HAVE KILLED US!” She screamed. “She would not have, Lady-“ 
Joe interrupted me hysterically. “That is not the sweet black horse you had last year! THAT is a, a…. A BEAST!!!” I stared open mouthed at the back of a shacking Joe as she walked away. Then as my anger kicked in, I dismounted and mumbled things about snobs and stupid cousins. Alex shot me a look of ether apology or anger. I couldn’t tell, but she ran after Joe before I could say anything. Lady was standing alert at the end of the paddock. “Let’s go.” I said to Berry, and swung myself unto her back.

Joe was still shaking when I walked into the kitchen. She was bent over a cup of coffee, concentrating on the brown water spinning around. I didn’t look at her, and she didn’t look at me. Mom looked at me in a suspicious, warning way when she noticed the tension between us. I ignored it and walked to the window to look at Lady, who was trotting around all fancy. I laughed, and Joe gave me a menacing stare, which I chose to ignore as well. The tension was rising, and I noticed Alex was getting frustrated. This wasn’t the time for a good-natured, talkative girl to be saying anything, though.  I sighed, and headed towards the stairs.
“Summer!” Mom said sharply. I stopped dead, turned and sat down.
“What happened?” I was silent, but Joe was very quick to explain.
“Summer’s BEAST ALMOST KILLED US!” She screamed.
“And she is treating it like a big joke! SHE WAS PLAYING WITH THAT THING! Going all fancy and riding bareback to show-off. She was playing rodeo with that, that-“ Mom cut her off and turned to me.
“Summer, why did you do that, you know Lady is dangerous!” I was shocked! “Mom, you know I wouldn’t-“ She closed her eyes and was clearly fuming.
“I’ve put up with that horse for your sake, but she is just too dangerous, Summer! I thought you would act accordingly, but according to Joe, you haven’t been doing that! I have no choice. Carl will be coming tomorrow, Summer!” I never thought of my mother as evil, but her next words changed that viewpoint. “WITH A SYRINGE.”
  
I lay in my bed that night, crying in my sleep. “You can’t… You CAN’T!” I screamed into my pillow. I was dreaming, the same dream over and over. Carl, a syringe, sudden death followed each other in sequence.. I sat up sweating. I walked over to the window. I saw Joe, sleeping quite comfortably. I wanted to strangle her, I wanted to hit her. I looked at my watch, 1:28am. I then looked at Lady in the ring. She was still very alert. I sudden idea entered my mind…

That morning my mother woke up to find that her daughter, Lady, and Berry gone.
Meanwhile, I was far away. Over the neighbors’ properties, and over streams, and basically heading south. There was an old abandoned farm, somewhere south of the highway, that’s where I was going. It was almost noon when I saw it, disturbingly groaning in the soft breeze. I took a deep breath and herded the tired horses into the barn. I Lady had enough energy to scramble as far away from me as possible though. After untacking and closing the barn door, I walked towards the farmhouse, whose paint was peeling, and opened the door. I big mess greeted me, as leaves had blown in through open windows, and some vases were lying broken on the floor. Cobwebs were everywhere, and I shivered, even though it was quite warm. Something felt off about this place, and I looked about me suspiciously.

Wait, I heard a sound! Something was moving around, frighteningly. It made the house seem ghostlike, and bloodcurdling. I grabbed the table for support, and then, suddenly, the sound stopped. I gulped, but walked purposefully upstairs, to where the sound had come from. I looked down the hallway, where three rooms were. I moved slowly, as if there were still inhabitants in the house, and as if they were not supposed to hear me. I gulped as I realized that I had only hoped that there was nothing in the house. I took notice of a noise behind me, and had a sharp intake of breath. There was definitely something in this house!  
I turned around slowly, but whatever it was had vanished. Suddenly, something pushed me forward and I fell. I screamed and felt something cold and slippery on my face.

I opened my eyes and stared right into the face of the, CUTEST THING I HAD EVER SEEN! A little spaniel puppy licked me again, and I laughed. “You scared me!” I laughed. The puppy barked at the sound, and leaped playfully from side to side. I smiled and stroked the soft fur. “I wonder where you came from…” I murmured. I was unaware that I was being watched.
I sat on a box on the porch stroking the pup and tried to sort things out. In my mind something clicked as the pup tried to scramble unto my lap. She wasn’t very strong… And you need to be strong, to push a person over. I felt a chill run down my spine. There was something else in this house… Something bigger!

I decided to set my mind at ease, which was swarming with ghost tales, I would investigate the house. At every sound, I jumped. I held my breath as I opened every door, and in every room I let it out slowly. I had passed the kitchen, the living room, (NEVER SIT ON THE SOFA!), and two bedrooms upstairs. I also passed the bathroom, but I’m blocking that memory! The last door at the end of the passage was different though. There were no cobwebs around the door, and the dust was piled in such a way that suggested that the door had been opened recently.
 I jingled the lock, but the door handle came off and fell on the floor. I shrugged and looked through the keyhole. Letting out a shriek I fell back and scrambled to my feet. I ran down the stairs, clearing them three at a time. My heart racing I dashed into the barn, obstructing it with a wooden beam lying there. Lady reared, and Berry trembled, and I was quivering with absolute terror. I shut my eyes and sank to the floor. When I had looked through that keyhole, another eye had stared back at me!
My tack lay on the ground and I almost tacked up Berry, but I didn’t. “Ok, there has to be a logical explanation for this…” I stammered. “I’m a Christian, and… And I know there are no such thing as ghosts.” I gulped and said to myself, softly, “You are going against your conmen sense and it always gets you into trouble.” nevertheless, I opened the barn door, closed it, and forced myself into the house. I heard the puppy, and made my way slowly up the stairs. As I entered the hallway, somebody shrieked. I shrieked as well and stared open mouthed at, “JOE?” She jumped up but I caught her arm and almost hit her. “Wait, Summer… I’m…” She stopped, but I was still aware that I was hurting her arm. “I’m sorry!” She said.
 

I let go of her arm and she rubbed it. “What are you doing here?” I asked, menacingly. “You pushed me!” Joe nodded sheepishly.
“You stared back at me!” Again she nodded and I screamed, “I SHOULD STRANGLE YOU!” She jumped and closed her eyes.
“I followed you here, last night.” I stopped fuming for a moment.
“Why?” I asked. “Because I… I felt bad about what happened.” I almost laughed out loud!
“You felt sorry! The snob from Johannesburg felt sorry, because she stole my best friend, almost got my horse killed, and scared the daylights out of me? Well, I’m so glad you have a heart, Joe!” I said sarcastically.
 Joe’s eyes had fire in them as she started another argument.
“Excuse me? You almost killed us!” She said, menacingly.
“I didn’t, and I told you to get out, but no! You were too busy gossiping!” I replied. “Well,” Joe said, but stopped. “Listen…” She said. I listened. A noise was coming from the end of the hallway. The same room that Joe was hiding in. “Joe, what’s in that room?” I asked. “I don’t know.” She said, her voice slightly shacking. “But you were hiding in there… You where watching me…” I said. Joe’s eyes stretched wider. “No, I was watching from underneath the bed in that bedroom.” She pointed to the room I had passed rather carelessly on the other end of the hallway. “But… There was something in that room. It stared back at me when I looked through the keyhole!”
Joe and I slowly stepped towards the door. I stooped down to look through the keyhole, but suddenly the door swung open. Joe shrieked at the sudden movement. I gulped and entered slowly, carefully, and suddenly something grabbed me from behind! I screamed, and turned to see a white faced Joe pointing at something. I followed her finger and saw a man sitting on the bed watching us.

 “Who are you?” He barked. He was old, very old. “Summer… Summer Andrews.” I managed. “You were watching us the whole time weren’t you?” I asked. The old man laughed, suddenly and unpleasantly. “Yes, now get of my property!” I took a step back, but said, “This is government land, mister.” He scowled. “My grandfather owned this farm, and it’s mine now!” I was beginning to relax. “Oh… What’s your name Sir?” He frowned again. “Benjamin Kendall.” I gasped, and tried to catch my breath. “You’re BENJAMIN KENDALL!” I screamed. “You’re the greatest horse trainer of all time!”
He laughed his unpleasant laugh and cut me off. “No I’m not… Lost my touch years ago!” I jumped.
“Um… Sir, mister, Benjamin…. Can we spend the night here?” He scowled. “Why… haven’t you got any parents. “Well….” I searched my brain for a answer. “We… got lost.”  I said, slowly.
“Now, that is lying for you right there!” He said.  At our shocked expressions he reluctantly agreed to let us stay. “One night only!” He added.
After we had been given lunch, the old man entered and dumped my tack on the floor. I stared at him. “Are you ok?” I asked. “Fine, why?” I chocked on my sandwich. “Lady… She wasn’t scared of you?” He shrugged. “The black one did tremble when I entered. You ought to do something about that horse!” He said gruffly. I have been trying to do something about her for the past month! I told him my thoughts, and he shrugged again. “Uh… Weren’t you a pretty good trainer?” Asked Joe. “I’m no expert, but wouldn’t you be able to help the horse?” For once my cousin had said something sensible. “I might.” He replied, but made no offer to do so. “Will you?” I asked uncertainly. “No.” He answered abruptly. “But,” I started to say, but was interrupted by another sharp ‘NO’. “And unless you want to sleep in the old barn tonight, you should shut your mouth.”
I lay on the couch and made a mental note not to do exactly that. It was crawling with… Things that crawl! “I’m sleeping in the barn!” I said to myself. “It’s better than this!” I walked into the night and paused at the barn door. There was a voice inside, talking softly. I looked through the cracks, and saw Benjamin! He talked softly to Lady, and took a step forward. She did not retreat as I expected her to, but let him come close and pet her, before snorting and backing away. “How does he do that?” I asked myself before returning to the house. After all, Lady getting better was more important than my severe fear of bugs. 
I saddled Berry, and stared curiously at Lady the next morning. She snorted and backed away. “How did he do it, Lord?” I prayed silently. Silently Benjamin entered and sheepishly put his hands in his pockets. “I’ll take her.” He said, rather bluntly. “What?” I asked. He pointed at Lady, making her back a little more. “I’ll take her!” I frowned. “She’s not for sale.”
“I’m not planning on buying her.” He said.
“Then what does ‘I’ll take her’ mean?” I asked.
“I’ll train her, get her over her fear.”
I almost sang out loud! Instead, I softly asked, “Really?”
“Yes, only one condition though. Make it two.”
“What,” I asked, thinking of the little money I had.
“My service if free,” I breathed a sigh of relief at that, but he continued unnoticing it. “And you have to stay under your own roof.” 
I was hesitant, and he noted the look on my face. “You want me to take her or not?” I agreed, and soon Joe and I were on route for home, leaving Lady behind.   
“Summer!” Mom exclaimed. “Where were you?” I couldn’t tell the truth! “Out for a midnight ride. I set Lady free, mom.” I did set her free. Or was in the process of setting her free…Of her fear!

I had not been grounded. I had not been punished. My life was not over. I rolled unto my side and stared at the sunbeams that fluttered through the window. I had seen a new side to Joe, and didn’t hate her anymore. Alex had been worried, and had been the first to notice my disappearance. I don’t know what it was, but I still felt sad. It could not be Joe, we were friends now, and mom had forgiven me so… A thought struck me, and without a word I opened my Bible to hold my devotions.

The next day, Alex, Joe and I left for Benjamin’s house. We told her all that had happened and she giggled as we emphasized the scary parts. “No! Seriously, you should have seen Joe’s face when she saw Benjamin!” They laughed and Alex asked, “Benjamin? You’re on a first name bases I see!” I smiled. “Not really, but I’ve read so much about him I feel like I already know him.” Alex laughed and Joe smiled, and I found myself thinking this was the best day ever. As I soon found out, it only got better! Benjamin was lunging Lady, and he had her full attention. As we arrived, we watched in silent aw as he turned around and walked away. For a moment, Lady hesitated. She sniffed the whip and halter he had left on the ground. She then walked after him, following him around the ring. H spoke softly and petted her. He picked up the halter and slipped it over her head. “Summer come here.” He said quietly. I obeyed. “Pet her, talk slowly.”  I slid my hand unto her back. “Hey girl… How are we doing today?” Benjamin slowly placed the rope in my hand and walked away. As soon as he left Lady pulled on the rope, but I continued to speak softly, and stroking her. She got calmer, and I filled with pride.
“That was so cool!” Joe said. “You would hardly believe that that was the same horse!” Benjamin slowly nodded. “She still has a long way to go.” I solemnly looked at my horse. The old, frail, cranky Benjamin we saw the day before had changed into a wise, kind, strong man. It made you think about old Winston Churchill’s quote: There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man. 
I smiled as I watched Lady from Benjamin’s porch.  It was mid afternoon, and Alex, Joe, and I were saying goodbye to the old man so that we could be on our way. “You know…” I said, uncertainly. “We could fix up your home for you. It is in pretty bad shape.” Benjamin frowned, but we could practically see the wheels turning inside his head. I had half expected him to be angry, so when he grunted in approval, I was amazed.
The next day, leaving Benjamin to work with Lady, we set to work on his house. First we moved his furniture outside. Joe and Alex scrubbed the floors and the walls, and I scrubbed the chairs of… his lair? I stood washing one of the pillows and I saw Benjamin working quietly with Lady. I gently traced the pillows lining as I watched. Sighing I left the last one in the sun to dry. Time for the heavy lifting.
For the rest of the day we scrubbed and washed, but we could easily see that it wasn’t enough. “I think we should wax the floors tomorrow…” I said thoughtfully. “And paint the walls.” Added Joe. “And wash… everything.” Alex said her gaze lingering on the sofa. I groaned, and we all laughed.
The next day, while scrubbing the floor Joe walked in. “Benjamin went to get milk, and Alex needed to go get something at home.” I shrugged. Lady neighed outside. I stood. “Let’s go say hi to my girl.”

We joked around until we reached the front door, opened it, and as soon as we stepped outside the rain fell… Hard. “Let’s run to the barn!” I shouted. Joe nodded, and ran. Suddenly she fell. “Ouch!” She cried, rubbing her ankle. And as she tried to stand, she fell again, this time twisting her leg. “Joe! Are you ok?” I could see she was trying not to, but Joe started crying. “I think… I think I broke it!” The rain pouring, I felt one tear of my own falling along with the raindrops. “Wait here, I think there is a motorbike in the barn!”
“Oh!” I slipped into the barn, my last hope! But as I searched, I found it in vain. There wasn’t even a normal bicycle!  Lady reared. Suddenly, seeing my last hope fade away, I sank back against the wall, and cried. “Oh, Lord what am I going to do? Please help us…” I whispered. Lady stopped rearing for a moment, and seemed to be thinking. Then as if pulled by a magnet she strolled purposefully towards toward me. It seemed the most natural thing in the world, as she sniffed my hair and blew on it. I gulped. Was this all a dream? The most terrible, scary, yet beautiful dream I’d ever had? But as I stroked my horse’s neck, I knew it was no dream. “Thank you Lord!” I said. I took a deep breath and brushed the last tear away. Then, almost scared, almost excitedly, I said, “Let’s go save Joe!”
I threw back my wet hair and sprang unto my horse’s back, before getting off and hurriedly putting a bridal on. As we trotted out onto the slippery mud, she didn’t even jump at the thunder! I helped Joe unto her back, and, balancing Joe with one arm, and guiding Lady with the other, we galloped across the slimy fields. “St. Mark’s is only about 4 kilo’s away!” I shouted. But Joe had passed out.
At last, we reached the hospital. Pulling Lady to a frantic stop, I filled my lungs with air and gave a desperate shout. “Help!” When I kind hearted young nurse appeared, apparently on break, I knew everything was going to be ok.
Almost 20 years later I sat on my huge horse, Emperor, at the Olympic Games. Lady had lived happily in the paddocks, as she refused to enter a horsebox ever again, until she died peacefully at the age of 21. Benjamin had continued to train both me and my new horse till his death last year, but I knew he was smiling from his place in heaven. My mother had forgiven me, Joe, and Alex for our daily adventures and white lies, but only after punishing us severely. Both Joe and Alex cheered me on from the stands, both with their wonderful families. I smiled, as someone announced the teams competing. I laughed as I spotted my own husband and daughter in the crowd. I sat back, breathed my thanks to God, and relaxed my shoulders. To think that I would never have gotten here, if not for God, and that one, crazy horse!