August Story Contest

Summer Andrews: Part 2 part 1
By: perdjie
Age: 12

“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. “She’s terrified! She won’t let anyone get close to her.” Alex 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 how much that would affect our bond.

My horse’s black coat shone in the sun as I watched her watch 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. I fingered my brown hair. It was frustrating. I had thought she would have thought she would have calmed down. Her she was, in the back paddock. Lady had even runaway from Berry, who used to be her friend. “Lady.” I called softly. Her head shot up, alert, and frightened. I entered slowly. Lady galloped to the furthest end of the paddock. It was sad 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. “I was there when she was born; I lead her around on a halter. I broke her in. I rode her for the first time. 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.”   

Will Summer ever regain Lady’s trust? How will Lady react to Summer’s attempts to do so? Find out in part 3