Through Tender Thorns

by Barbara Morriss

  Approaching a driveway, Capp slowed and there, hanging off kilter on a split-rail fence, was a handmade sign that said, “Parkway Farm.” Capp turned onto the dirt entry lane. It wasn’t long before he saw a modest house and Tilly on the porch smoking a cigarette. She sat still while Capp parked the car. When he opened the door, she rose slowly while pushing her cigarette butt into a coffee can full of sand. She smiled broadly as Capp climbed the steps. He took her in his arms and hugged her. Kissing her neck and stroking her back, he whispered, “You smell like a cigarette.”

  “Nothin’ like a compliment to start the day.”

  “You look nice, just smell like a cigarette. Got your boots on. Surprised they ain’t high-heel boots. We going for a ride?”

  “Not so fast. I want to show you around first. We have talking to do.”

  “You mean about our partnership?”

  “Yes, about raising thoroughbreds here in Kentucky.” Capp’s eyes scanned the porch. It was nice enough: a porch swing, a few chairs, and a chest of drawers. “What you got in the drawers?”

  “Mice. Daddy says it’s the best mouse trap he ever had. Keeps the critters out of the house. They get in the drawers, eat a little poison and bam, they’re gone.” Capp laughed but Tilly’s mood grew serious.

  “Look Capp. I want you to see the place but keep an open mind. There is so much potential here. You and I could make this farm a real ranch!”

  “You know I don’t have money.”

  “Oh, you have access to money.”

  “What you talkin’ about?”

  “Mr. Glidewell. He’ll jump at having a ranch here in Louisville.”

  “Tilly, I can’t be askin’ him to give me a boatload of money.”

  “I’ll invite him. Men usually do what I say. I have my ways. All you’ll have to do is convince him to come. Why the two of us together can do anything.”

  Maybe the guy on the road was wrong, Capp thought. Maybe there was a potential ranch in this farm. He’d keep his mind open, at least for now.

  “Come with me.” Tilly took Capp’s hand and led him into the house. It was clean and orderly, with well-worn furniture and lots of good light. But there was a palpable sadness. Capp couldn’t put his finger on it, but he felt it.

  “This is the house. Lots of room to expand. There are three bedrooms, one bath, living room, kitchen, reading room. I’ve lived here my whole life nearly as an only child. My brothers left home when I was a tiny girl. I’m the surprise baby of the family.”

  “Where’s your folks? Thought you said they’d be here.”

  “They caught the train. They went to visit my mother’s sick sister. Come here, I want to show you my room.” Tilly led Capp down a dark hallway to her bedroom. It was a small room with a twin-size bed. On the bed was a well-used Raggedy Ann doll and a shabby teddy bear. Tilly fell on her mattress, grabbing the bear. Capp couldn’t help but notice how being in this room had rendered her childlike. She rubbed noses with the stuffed bear and drew imaginary circles on its belly. “He likes a belly rub,” she said. “Raggedy Ann is naughty sometimes and I have to put her in a drawer.”

  “You still sleep in here?

  “Since I was a baby. This was the nursery and I felt safe here. Never wanted to leave.” Capp looked more closely at the light pink walls. On one was a primitive drawing of a horse. The horse or pony was standing on very straight legs, a few sprigs of grass drawn around his hooves. Puffy little clouds floated above it on the rose-colored wall. “You draw that?”

  “I did. I was just a girl. I drew and painted it without permission.” Tilly said proudly.

  “You get in trouble?”

  “Me? No. My parents pretty much let me do whatever I wanted. I knew way back then I would raise horses. At night in the glow of my nightlight I still pray to God to make my dreams come true.” Tilly’s voice grew soft. “It’s all I’ve ever asked from God. But now I’m scared ’cause my daddy thinks—” She stopped short and sighed.

  Capp stepped forward, sat on the edge of the bed, and put his arm around her, like a parent would do for a hurt child.

  “Things are bad, Capp. Like I said, I’m afraid what will happen to me.”

  “Let’s go see the rest.” Capp offered his elbow and Tilly took it. As they walked outside, Capp patted her hand.

  Capp could see the place needed repair. Dry rot made the back porch springy, and the kitchen garden was full of weeds. An apple tree loaded with bird-pecked fruit and a mangy cat sharpening its claws on the tree trunk added to the feeling of neglect.

  A barn, such as it was, wasn’t too far from the house and appeared to be in use. Tilly led Capp inside, and to his surprise there wasn’t one horse in any of the stalls. “Where are the horses?”

  “They’re in the pasture.”

  “How many you got?”

  “Not many now. But we have room for twelve thoroughbreds.”

  “Only twelve?”

  “Right now we have four broodmares and a borrowed stallion. We are rebuilding. We are hoping for four healthy foals in a few months.”

  “Who loaned you a stallion?”

  “Some guy from Churchill Downs. He and my dad bartered. He’ll get one of our foals for the stud fee. The stud is a fine stallion.”

  Tilly guided Capp through the barn to the pasture. It was a small area, maybe an acre. Only four horses were there, older mares.

  “How old are these gals?”

  “They are all between ten and fifteen years old. Daddy didn’t sell them off ’cause they were proven and have given us good horses.”

  “Where’s the stallion?”

  “He’s gone now. Went back home.”

  “So you have only four horses here, not five?”

  “Like I said, we are rebuilding. We are expecting foals, a new pedigree line.”

  Capp sympathized with Tilly. This was not what he had expected. A run-down property, run-down horses and not one shred of evidence that this farm would ever recover from its economic problems. “Parkway ever have a champion?”

  “No, but that doesn’t mean it won’t.”

  Capp looked back toward the barn and saw a small flock of red hens pecking and scratching in the healthy weeds that grew around the grounds.

  “What else you want to show me?”

  “There isn’t much else, only a paddock. We can’t use it because the gate hinges need replacing. It’s been a while since a horse has been in there.”

  “How come things so run-down?”

  “Daddy don’t have time anymore and he can’t hire anyone.”

  “Where you ride? On the road? And what you ride? These mares?”

  “Daddy sold my quarter horse. I borrow a ride from our neighbors. Through the pasture, there’s a gate to their property. Great horse trails all over the hills. They don’t mind if I ride there and they like their horses being exercised. In fact, the place is for sale. James Glidewell could buy it and make this place bigger.”

  “Tilly, I don’t see how he could help you save this place. The property isn’t big enough, all the outbuildings and even the house are run-down. He’s a prideful man. He’d want his own track and there isn’t one, nor is there room for one.”

  “Capp, don’t you see? This is Louisville, Kentucky. Horse racing is what makes this town click. He could make the ranch whatever he wanted and we could run it for him. He could lease a barn at the track. Why, with what you’re learnin’ and all that I know, tongues will flap when we get the place rollin’. My parents can retire in town. They’ve been talking about it. Oh Capp, we could raise our kids here. Please, Capp.”

  “Wait a minute. Now we’re getting married and raisin’ a family?”

  “Well I thought we would. It’s something I think about.”

  “Workin’ with someone is one thing, but getting married? My God, gi
rl. That’s a whole different story. Not sure I’m the marrying kind. You better forget that.”

  “But what about all the fun we’ve had? We have so much in common. We both love music, bars, horses, and you know what else.” Tilly moved closer and put her hands on his chest. “Please, Capp. Think about it. I’m begging you.”

  Capp looked at her sympathetically, but he couldn’t help her. He was smart enough to know that. It made no sense for James or any serious horse breeder to lease or buy this property.

  “Tilly, I’m leaving for Arkansas soon. We’re taking some horses to train and compete. Will be gone most of the winter. You knew that, right?”

  Capp watched as her face fell. She turned her back to him and said, “You better go now. I’m not feelin’ like a picnic anymore.”

  “I’m sorry, Tilly. Like I told you from the beginning, I’m workin’. I’m just being honest.”

  She turned around. “Sometimes a girl just needs someone to tell her what she wants to hear. I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose this place.”

  “You’ll figure it out.”

  “Will you write while you’re gone?”

  “Why do girls always want a guy to write?”

  “Because it means he’s thinking about her.”

  “Yeah? There’s a girl back at Glidewell. She wanted me to write. Just isn’t what I do.”

  “Maizie?”

  “Yeah, Maizie.”

  “You said she was just a kid. Why you got to write to her if she’s just a kid?”

  “All I said is she wanted me to write.”

  “See? I knew she had her eye on you. I told you as much.” Tilly angrily stepped back and looked at him, her face an impending storm. Capp took both her hands and said good-bye. She pulled her hands away. Taking a moment, he looked again at the pasture with the old mares basking in the sunshine. Capp knew Tilly Coombs would never succeed at making this horse farm fit the scope of her dreams. And he was ill equipped to help her.

  Chapter 59

  Maizie’s Diary

  Nov. 2, 1931

  I haven’t had many good days lately. Mary’s been telling me I should get a high school education and go to college. It’s like no one thinks I can make my own decisions in life. Everyone seems to know what is best for me. Made me real mad the other day. Sometimes I want to run away, but then I get scared. The truth is, I don’t want to leave Glidewell. I realize that getting mad could cause me to make a big mistake.

  Capp sent a letter to the ranch. He is leaving for Arkansas to race horses in pre-Derby stakes. He talked about Matilda. I had the worst feeling when I read it. Now I know what green with envy means. He says everyone at the Downs calls her Tilly. Of course, we all remember her as Matilda. I knew he might run into her, so I am not surprised. But I am sure sorry he did. He says Tilly knows a lot about thoroughbreds, but Bob, his mentor, is teaching him right. He wasn’t sure about Tilly. He said we wouldn’t recognize her because she is blond now. That is all he said. I am glad Capp is going to Arkansas. He’ll be away from her trying to teach him things. Besides that, he is there to work. James says that all the time. Thinking about Tilly makes me angry and sad.

  Capp never once asked about any of us. I thought he might at least ask about Wild, but nothing. He said he wasn’t coming home for Christmas. Not to worry, he said. He would celebrate with friends at Churchill Downs.

  Mary thinks it’s wonderful that Capp is learning and going to Arkansas. And James is pleased with what he is doing and wants him to stay in Louisville longer. Seems I’m the only one that thinks Capp is being unkind to all of us. I miss him so much. I wonder what Capp does in his spare time. Write in his journal? I doubt it. He is out with Matilda or Tilly or whatever her name is. I can’t think on it too hard; it hurts.

  Bonne nuit, mon amie,

  Maizie Sunday Freedman

  Chapter 60

  The Telegram

  April 23, 1932

  When Capp finally returned to Louisville after his work in Arkansas, he was jubilant. Spring was in the air and the Derby was here. His work in the Bob Hench barn was instructive and Capp’s confidence was growing. He expected James and Wil to arrive any day now.

  “Hey, Capp,” came a voice from a barn entrance at the backside. “Tilly has a telegram for you.”

  “Thanks!” He pulled on the lead of a bay chestnut stallion thoroughbred and walked the promising racehorse back to the barn.

  Capp thanked his lucky stars again that he’d come to Churchill Downs when he did. It was a rare opportunity to work with such a horse. Because of Capp’s skills, Bob had given him the responsibility of working with this fine stallion. Capp was grateful. These were the kinds of experiences he needed. Tilly’s tutoring was less about thoroughbreds and more about their time together. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. He didn’t miss her a bit when he was in Arkansas. Handing the horse to the groom, Capp headed reluctantly toward the backside manager’s office.

  “I’ve been waiting for you all morning.” Tilly stood behind the counter. “You sure been making yourself scarce these days.”

  Seeming to not hear her comment, Capp asked, “You got something for me?”

  “Oh yes, I got lots for you,” She said, looking as demure as possible.

  “Come on Tilly, you know what I mean.”

  “Oh, you mean this telegram?” Tilly waved a piece of paper in the air. “From a Mr. Glidewell?”

  “Let me see it. I’ve been waitin’ for word since I got back from Arkansas.” He anxiously reached for the telegram and she teasingly pulled it back and put it in her cleavage.

  “Take it, Capp. It is for you, after all,” she said. He reached over the counter again, gingerly fetched the telegram from her bosom, and opened it. Capp read it quickly and turned to Tilly.

  “Well?” she said.

  Capp slapped the telegram in the palm of his hand. “Dad and Mr. Glidewell will be here on the train this afternoon. They want me to meet them at the depot. We’re all going to stay at the Brown Hotel on West Broadway.”

  “Nice. Brown Hotel is swank. The Kentucky Derby elites stay there when in town. Are they elites, Capp?”

  “Well, if being elite means you think you’re smarter than others, Mr. Glidewell ain’t that. Just that Mr. Glidewell can afford it, the Brown Hotel. He got me a room too.”

  “Bet he could afford the Parkway Farm too.”

  “Tilly. Drop it.”

  “All right then. What you gonna do with a big ol’ room all by yourself?”

  “Sleep. Will be mighty nice to sleep on a big bed.”

  “If you get lonely, honey, you let me know.”

  “I’ll be working, Tilly. You know that.”

  “I could drive you there. To the depot. What time does that train come in?”

  “Says here around four o’clock.”

  “Let me take you.”

  Capp hesitated. He didn’t want to encourage her, but he would need a ride. “I guess it would be all right. But that’s it. Just to the depot.”

  Capp placed the telegram in his rear pocket and wondered if he’d made a mistake accepting her offer. He really needed to be done with her. Opening the door to the backside manager’s office, he ran to find Bob Hench.

  Bob was talking with a couple of other horse trainers about the upcoming Kentucky Derby. Capp excused himself for interrupting and then proceeded to ask if he could speak to Bob in private. Bob complied and followed Capp outside.

  “Bob, my time here’s running out. My dad and the owner of Glidewell Ranch will be here this afternoon. We are going to be buying horses before the Derby,” explained Capp.

  “I have some leads on some great horses running claim races,” replied Bob. “You can pick up a few that way. I also have a lead on a failing horse farm near Lexington. I hear the owner needs to trim his stock qui
ck to garner cash or he’ll be foreclosed upon. This depression has affected people around here. Why, even George Coombs’s little farm is in jeopardy. Never mind the Prohibition and the ruination of the Kentucky whiskey business. And then of course there’s the drought. Cowboy can’t catch a break, it seems.” Bob chuckled, but his comments weren’t meant to amuse. These were bad times.

  “Thanks for the tips. I’ll be staying at the Brown Hotel until we get ready to head back to Missouri in boxcars full of horses,” said Capp, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. “Can’t wait to introduce you to my dad. You’re a lot like him.” Silence ensued and finally Capp said, “I do have a favor to ask.”

  “Sure. What’s that?”

  “You know I was seeing Tilly. Just having a good time. But I don’t think Mr. Glidewell would like thinkin’ I’ve been messing around with her. You know what I mean?”

  “Yes, I know. But dating Tilly didn’t affect your good work around here. Just gave folks something to gossip about.” Bob laughed. “You have been the brunt of a few jokes.”

  “I know, but I am done with her. I’d just as soon have Mr. Glidewell not know I was ever seeing her.”

  Bob slapped Capp on the back and laughed. “Got it, my boy. He won’t hear it from me. You got too much work to do to be thinkin’ about a girl anyways. Bring your dad and boss by after workouts tomorrow and I’ll set them up with some ideas about the afternoon claim races. If you get to claim or buy horses, you can put them in our barn until you get ready to leave.”

  “That’s mighty nice of you, Bob.”

  “Least I can do.”

  Capp returned to his bunk, packed his things, and ran to the office to have Tilly drive him to the depot. He’d talk with her. He’d break up with her. Get it settled. He’d be headed back to Glidewell soon. She’d understand. Maybe when she gets her farm financed, he’d come and work for her. Yes, he’d say that and she’d get it. She’d get that a man had to look out for his own future. These were bad times.