8 Second Decision

by H. J. Bellus

  “Medic. We need a medic. Fans please stay seated.”

  I run to Teebaby. He’s writhing in pain and thrashing, and then look to the fence to Challis who’s trying to drag herself to her horse.

  “Stop, Challis. I’ve got him. Stay fucking still.”

  A timer jumps the fence and is at her side trying to calm her down, and that’s where I want to fucking be is by her side, but I know she’d want me with Teebaby.

  Maverik is by my side and stands up and hollers. “Call a vet.”

  “We need a vet to the arena. Again a vet to the arena. Fans please remain seated.”

  Teebaby continues to thrash and moan in pain. His front legs are covered in blood. Dust rolls up around us as I look for the cuts, and that’s when I notice the large gash across his chest. My heart shatters for the horse and even more for my girl. She’s inched her way up to the fence and has her hand on his nose trying to talk to him.

  “Hey. Hey. Hey, baby, I’m here.”

  Her other arm has an exposed bone sticking from it as blood runs down the side of her face. I can’t handle it any longer and leap over the fence, picking her up in my lap and getting her closer to her horse.

  “Baby, it’s okay. It’s okay, sweet baby.” She pats his face.

  “Where’s the fucking ambulance?” I roar.

  “Merek, go help him, please. Help Teebaby.” Challis sobs.

  “I’m not leaving you.”

  “Merek.” Her voice is filled with a wicked combination of pain and horror. “Help him.”

  Her one good hand leaves Teebaby and she starts pounding on my chest.

  “Go, son.” I look up to Granddad who takes his time kneeling on the ground. “I have her.”

  I hear his calm voice talk to her and tell her to focus on breathing. I jump the fence again and run into a lady who has a bottle and a syringe.

  “My husband is the local vet and on the way but said to give the horse twenty cc’s of this.”

  Without thinking or even asking what it was I give it to Teebaby and he instantly settles. I watch as his stomach slowly rises and falls while Maverik has his shirt off and pushed up against the nasty wound on Teebaby’s chest, trying to stop the bleeding. The ambulance backs up to Challis and she’s loaded on a stretcher.

  “Maverik, don’t leave his fucking side. I’m going with her.”

  The ambulance door begins to shut. “Please, let me in. I’m her husband.”

  “Sorry, sir. Policy is no one can ride in the back besides the patient and us.”

  “I don’t fucking care about policy.”

  Challis’s boot begins to quake and then her whole body seizes.

  “You need to move, sir, so we can get her medical attention.”

  “Merek.” Granddad pulls me by the arm just enough and the two doors slam shut. “Take Maverik’s truck. We’ll take care of Teebaby.”

  “Nothing, and I mean nothing, can happen to that horse.” I grip the top of my hat, feeling my whole world crumble beneath me.

  “Wear your seatbelt and drive with sense. She’ll be okay. Just a little beat up. That girl is tough as nails.”

  “She won’t be okay if he doesn’t make it. Fuck,” I roar.

  I nod to Teebaby who’s beginning to thrash around again. Blood seeps through Maverik’s shirt, and fellow cowboys offer up blankets to help stop the bleeding.

  “Go, son.”

  I jump the fences and weave through different pens until I’m at Maverik’s truck. My fingers grip the steering wheel, and for the first time in my life I can call on the man upstairs to watch over my wife and the love of her life, Teebaby.

  As I drive through town, Maverik’s warning about the horse not being okay plays over and over in my mind. That horse would never do anything to hurt Challis. He has a heart of gold and is wired to run barrels. Nothing would ever throw him off his game.

  The hospital comes into view and my heart races as I’ve never felt so damn helpless in my entire life. Tears threaten, but the sheer rush of panic and anxiety dam them back.

  Rushing into the entry labeled ER I hear a man calling after me.

  “Sir. Sir. Sir. You left your truck running.”

  Without turning, I yell back to him, “Well turn the fucker off.”

  The ER waiting room is packed as doctors and nurses buzz about everywhere.

  “I’m looking for Challis Jones. She was just brought in.”

  “Just a second please, I’ll go see if you can see her.”

  Saying her last name kills me. She’s such a stubborn shit and wanted to keep her maiden name. It’s one fight I should’ve fought harder to win.

  “Only next of kin can see her right now.”

  “I’m her husband and she has no living relatives.” I lie.

  “Follow me please.”

  We pass several closed off rooms and some that are open. The place smells like death, the sounds going off around me help lighten my fears.

  “Here you go.”

  “Challis.” I push past the receptionist and get to her side. “Baby, how are you doing?”

  She rolls her head and looks at me. They have her face cleaned up, but her left eye is rapidly swelling shut with black bruises already covering it. Her arm has a clear plastic bag over it.

  Tears roll down her face. “How is he? How’s my horse? I want to go to him.”

  “I know, baby.”

  “Granddad and Maverik are with him and will travel to the vet. I told them not to leave his side.”

  “Why did that happen?”

  “I don’t know, baby, but the good news is it looks like your injuries are pretty minor.”

  “They are calling a surgeon to fix my arm.” She rolls back to her side. “I’ll die if anything happens to him.”

  I don’t try to cheer her up or tell her otherwise because it’s her reality and the cold hard truth. And I have no idea if Teebaby will make it or not. In all of my years on the ranch and at rodeos I’ve never seen a horse in such pain.

  “Challis, how’s your pain level?” A tall bald man walks in the door and sits next to her on a stool.

  She just shrugs, not answering him.

  I stand to my feet and hold out my hand. “I’m Merek, her husband.”

  “Nice to meet you.”

  “We are prepping the OR right now for surgery. She needs her arm set in place, and we are also watching some internal bleeding she has going on. She also has a severe concussion.”

  “Will I be able to go home tonight?” Challis asks.

  “Oh no, we’ll have you here for a few days. Your arm is pretty messed up, and we need to keep a close eye on your head injury.”

  She sits straight up in the bed. “I have to leave tonight. I have to get to Teebaby.”

  “Challis, I told you Maverik’s with him. You just need to worry about you right now.” I place my hand on her hip and squeeze it trying to offer up a bit of comfort.

  She swings her legs over the side of the bed and fights to get up.

  “Stop. Now.” I feel like an ass for yelling at her and pushing her back down on the bed.

  The doctor calls for a nurse to come in and I watch as they inject something in her IV.

  Challis fights against me. I’m cautious of not wanting to hurt her arm, but she doesn’t seem to care.

  “Keep a good hold of her.” The doctor nods to me.

  Challis is wrapped up in my arms crying out Teebaby’s name and trying to fight to get past me. Soon, I feel her melt in my arms as her head sways to the side.

  “I gave her a little bit of a sedative. We need to try to do our best to keep her calm.”

  Carefully, I lay her back down in the bed and cover her up in her blanket. Dropping my forehead to hers, I finally let a few tears and fears flow down my cheeks.

  “I love you, Challis Jones. You have no choice but to pull through this like you’ve done in everything else the rest of your life. Come back to me.”

  ***

  I
t’s well after midnight and Challis is still in surgery. A nurse calls the waiting room every so often giving me updates. The last one was just a few minutes ago letting me know they are stitching her back up and the pins worked perfectly.

  “How is she?” I look up to see a very exhausted Maverik and Granddad in the doorway.

  “She’s fighting, that’s for sure. They’re just finishing up her surgery now.” Both men take a seat across from me. “She had to be sedated in the ER because she was trying to get out of the bed to go and be with Teebaby.”

  Maverik drops his head down and scrubs his face with his two palms. “It’s not good, Merek.”

  “Fuck.” My fist slams down onto the table.

  “They did a blood test and he was poisoned, which explains his odd behavior. The vet said he’ll never be able to run again due to the injuries to his front legs. He’ll be lame forever.”

  “Was he a good vet? We need to get a second opinion.”

  “The horse is done, son,” Granddad adds.

  Once the words leave his mouth I know it’s final. He’s been around more horses than Maverik and I put together.

  “This is going to kill Challis. Absolutely destroy her.”

  And out of all of today’s events, this is the absolute worst. Challis might as well have lost her two legs.

  Chapter 22

  Challis

  Three days caged in this room has nearly made me fucking insane. Any time I bring up Teebaby’s name everyone avoids the topic, and then when I get insanely pissed I’m sedated.

  Granddad hasn’t left my bedside and no matter how enraged I get I haven’t had the courage to tell him to fuck off and come clean, but I have on Merek several times. Tori visited a couple of times but couldn’t handle me either. I see his face enter the room and my blood instantly boils. I know it’s not rational, and it’s definitely something I cannot control.

  “Everything’s packed. Let’s go.”

  “Take me to him, Merek, no more pussyfooting around this.”

  “We are going straight to the vets.”

  He reaches for my arm and I pull it back. “I’m not fucking crippled, Merek. I can walk.”

  He throws his two arms up in the air and heads for the elevator. It’s been like this since waking up from surgery. I can’t control my temper, and he seems to be my favorite target.

  “You should really take it easy on the boy. He’s just as hurt as you and been worried like crazy.”

  “I know.” Granddad takes my hand and the tears start rolling down my cheeks. I’ve had them pent up the last couple days and the dam breaks within me.

  “He’s had Maverik sit with your horse and he goes over and checks on him at least three times a day himself, and then has raced right back here to be here for you.” He gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “I know heartbreak, Sis, but there’s no reason you should be treating him like this.”

  “I’m scared. I can’t help it. I just keep blowing up every time I see him. It’s like reliving the accident each time I see his face.”

  “Well, I hope you damn well know he’d give his life to erase that day for you.”

  We make it to the front of the hospital where Merek is leaning back on my truck with his arms crossed and gaze pointed downward. When he looks up, for the first time I see the toll this has taken on him.

  “You’re supposed to be in a wheelchair,” he says walking up.

  “She told the nurse to kick rocks,” Granddad says.

  I open the back door and take my time crawling up in the truck, which is more difficult than I thought with only one good arm and sore muscles everywhere. Merek looks back at me from the driver’s seat with pain and heartache painting every one of his features. He’s my husband and the man I love with my whole heart, but right now I don’t need anyone touching me or looking at me with pitiful stares.

  “How far away is the clinic?”

  Merek doesn’t answer me and neither does Granddad.

  “Don’t fucking ignore me, Merek.” I slam my fist into the back of his seat. I feel the truck take a hard left. He slams it into park leaving behind a skid mark and jumps out.

  “We’re here, Challis. I didn’t fucking do this to you. Do you hear me?” He walks off, not bothering to open my door. It takes me some time, but I’m able to hop down from the truck. I catch sight of my face in the side view mirror and cringe. My eye is still an ugly shade of black and green, but it’s something in my facial features that even scares the hell out of me. I brush back my matted bangs and walk into the clinic.

  “Hi, you must be Challis. I’m Dr. Westington.”

  “I want to see my horse now.”

  “I’d like to fill you in on some things before we go back.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” I throw my hands up in the air. “You can’t talk while I see him?”

  “Challis,” Merek roars, anger oozing from his voice. “Sit down and shut the fuck up.”

  Reluctantly, I sit down and begin tapping my boot on the dingy white tile.

  “Your horse was poisoned, and that’s why he missed the barrel. He’s suffered severe injuries to his front legs. It’s my professional recommendation to have him put down. He’ll only suffer the rest of his days and be severely lame.”

  Poison. Lame. Put down. All swirl together in my mind, nearly causing me to black out. I try to grip onto reality and hang in there.

  “Take me to him now.” I grab Merek’s hand.

  The vet nods to me and I follow him down a long hallway. Clutching hard to Merek’s hand, I turn to him before entering the pen.

  “I can’t do this. I can’t fucking do this, Merek.” I bury my face into his chest. “I’d rather die than to have to face this.”

  “Your family is here. We’ll always be here for you. It’s your choice, Challis.”

  “Tell me what you think before I go in there.”

  “I’ll support you with whatever you decide. Just know, Challis, you’re never running barrels with him again. He’s done.”

  My whole body sinks to the floor, but Merek pulls me back up and steadies me.

  “He hears your voice, baby. He’s whinnying for you.”

  “Well, look at that,” the vet says, standing in front of the pen. “That’s the most we’ve heard from this guy.

  I round the corner with Merek pushing me from behind and gasp in horror. Teebaby is on his side and thrashing, trying to stand up and falling back down in pain. All of his white patches are stained blood red.

  “Go, baby, he wants you.” Merek pushes me from the small of my back.

  Lurching forward I fall down onto him, kissing his face, cooing into his ear. As soon as I touch him he quiets and softly whinnies in my ear.

  “I’m so sorry, baby. I have no idea what the hell happened.”

  I pat his cheek as my good arm wraps tightly around his neck. “He’s going back to Silver Star with us.”

  The vet starts to talk but is cut off by Merek.

  “You heard her. He’s going home as soon as he can handle the ride. No fucking questions asked.”

  “He can travel today.” Maverik steps in the stall. “I’ve been here the whole time and know exactly what he needs.”

  I look up to the vet. “He’s correct. Teebaby can go home with the proper care. Just keep in mind he’ll take a year or so to fully heal, and that’s if he does.”

  “I’m not giving up on him. He pushed himself to his limits all the time for me in the arena. I’m not giving up hope.”

  “C’mon, baby, let’s get you home. Maverik will be behind us with Teebaby.”

  “Nope, I’m staying with him.”

  “Of course you are.” Merek slams his fist into the gate. “Fucking woman, you’re going to be the death of me. You just suffered a serious concussion and have pins in your arms. Just fucking listen for once, please.”

  I stand up and square off with Merek. “This is all fucking on you, Merek. You know it’s just another retaliation fr
om your dad’s fucked up mess. I wouldn’t be in this position if I never met you. So, don’t you fucking dare tell me what to do and not to do.”

  I rip the buckle from my pants and shove it in his chest. “Here.”

  Then I turn back to Teebaby dropping to my knees, wrapping my arms right back around his neck. I don’t give a fuck about the arm with a brace on it. I need to be here right now with my horse.

  I hear Merek and Maverik bickering in the background but block them out and pour everything I have left in my tank into Teebaby.

  “Sis.” I look up into Maverik’s dark brown eyes. “I’m staying here with you and taking you guys home. Merek is heading out.”

  “Okay.” I lay my head down on Teebaby. “Am I making a mistake, Maverik?”

  He takes a seat on a straw bale next to me and begins patting my back.

  “Absolutely not. You need Teebaby in your life, but it’s going to be hell watching your partner who was once a champion fight to walk.”

  Brushing my cheek against Teebaby’s neck, I know Maverik is right, but it’s a chance and fight I have to take.

  “Thanks for always being here for me, Maverik.”

  “Anytime. Merek left this here for you. He didn’t want to leave, but I told him you needed time.”

  He hands me the gold buckle, my wedding ring, and I take it and pull it into my lap.

  “Why do I get so angry and take it out on Merek? It’s like I see bright red when he enters the room.”

  “I don’t know, Sis. I’m not a counselor.”

  “Will I ever get over this?”

  “I don’t know that either.”

  ***

  I’ve slept in the stall with Teebaby for the last week and only go in to take a shower and eat when I know Merek’s out of the house. Every time I try to talk to him we end up fighting and saying nasty things to each other.

  Teebaby is recovering well. He’s able to stand up for long periods of time. Every single day his spirits get a bit better. It’s his spirit that really gives me hope for the future. I know he’ll never run again, but I just pray he can live out the rest of his days in lush green pasture pain-free.