by Jean Carroll
Just then the men behind them came over with their catalogs and asked Blackie for an autograph. His eyes went wide and he blushed.
“Oh, sure. I mean, I don’t race anymore.” He said.
“I’m glad to see you’re okay and still riding. I watched you win three Grand Nationals and that was a real thrill.”
“Thank you. What’s your name?” Blackie asked him.
“It’s Jimmy.” Blackie wrote something to the man and then signed the program. The man shook hands with Blackie.
“Thanks, Blackie. I think you’re the greatest steeplechase rider ever. This is grand.”
“Thank you,” Blackie said flushing with pleasure and suddenly surrounded by people asking for autographs. Blackie graciously signed a lot of them and said to Sean as the kid brought out the chestnut gelding.
“Sean, you want to take this horse?”
“Nope. These people are after seeing you ride. You better do it,” Sean said smiling and the crown applauded.
Blackie just looked around with his mouth open. Several men clapped him on the back.
“You’ve still got it. Come on!”
Sean tossed him up and everyone applauded again. He just shook his head and moved off at a trot. He did the same routine and then turned and came back at a gallop. Close to the fence, the horse pricked his ears and then put them flat back against his head. Suddenly the horse veered and went around the jump, almost unseating Blackie but he hung on. Blackie came trotting over, showing his teeth.
“Sean, give me a stick.”
“You want me to get a lad to ride him?” Sean said, breaking out in a sweat.
“No, the fucker pissed me off, so now he’s going over the jump!” Sean handed him the whip and Blackie trotted off again and went down the track. He came back at a dead run, the chestnut’s ears flat back the whole time. Close to the jump, Blackie hit the horse once with the whip and yelled something at the take-off point. The gelding went flying over the hurdle and thundered on to the next one. He didn’t refuse again. Sean blew out a breath of relief.
A man came up and punched Sean on the arm.
Sean turned and smiled. “Georgie, hey, how the hell are you?” Sean asked.
The man was a little shorter than Blackie, older and heavier.
“I’m good. That son-of-a-bitch always could make a horse do whatever he wanted. He could ride anything with four legs. I’m sorry, I’m George Riley. I used to race with Blackie before the accident,” he explained to Katie and Meg.
“He looks good, Sean. He’s heavier, but he looks in great shape. I didn’t know he could still ride. The last time I saw him was in the hospital; it made me sick. I couldn’t believe he was still alive.”
“Hey, Georgie, this is Meg Connors, Blackie’s girlfriend and Katie Frey, my girlfriend.”
“A girlfriend! I see he’s still as healthy as he always was.” And smiled conspiratorially at Sean. “What are you boys doing here?” George asked.
“We’re buying horses for the U.S. stable and for Dad. We’re getting some for dressage, too. Blackie and Meg are into that.” Sean explained.
“Dressage, is it now? He’s got the talent. Sure and it’s grand to see him up on a horse again,” George said, smiling at Blackie when he rode up. The crowd applauded again.
Blackie saw us and broke into a grin when he saw Georgie.
“Hey, Georgie, you auld bastard. It’s good to see you.” He jumped off, gave the horse to the kid and gave Georgie a bear hug.
“Blackie, you look great. I didn’t know you were riding again.”
“I’m not supposed to do any racing or jumping. I’m getting into dressage though; it fascinates me.”
“I’m sure you’ll be great at it. I met your girlfriend, she’s very pretty. It’s good to see that you’re settling down,” George said smiling at Meg.
I am, yes. What have you been up to, Georgie?”
“I didn’t have the heart for it anymore after your accident, so I retired. Now I’m doing a bit of training meself. It’s not as hard on the bones.”
“I’m sorry, George, but I’m happy you’re enjoying yourself. Listen, let’s keep in touch and Dad would love to hear from you, too. I’ve got to finish up with these nags. Good to see you again.” Blackie gave him a punch on the arm and turned to collect the next horse. After he tried all the racehorses, he and Sean decided they wanted all six.
“Are we done? Are you happy with them, then, Sean?”
“I am, yes. I think we made some good choices. Now I hope we can out-bid everyone else.”
“You mean we might not get the horses we want?” Meg asked.
“No, it’s an auction. We have to bid and hope we can out-bid anyone else,” Blackie said. “Let’s take a break and we’ll look at the others inside.”
They went in and had drinks. Sean and Blackie talked about bidding strategy.
Katie and Meg talked about where they’d like to go in London after they were done at New Market.
Meg didn’t feel all that well. She had been feeling tired the past couple weeks but nothing she could put her finger on. She felt sort of light headed and figured it was from all the excitement. She mentioned it to Katie at lunch.
“Are you pregnant?” She asked.
“Pregnant! I couldn’t be. I’ve been using the patch for about four months now. I haven’t had a period for a couple months, but the patch does that to me. I’m not regular at all.” She was shocked at the idea that she might be pregnant.
“Why don’t you take a test and see. I don‘t know if the patch would give you a false positive or not.”
“Let’s go to a drugstore later. I’ll tell Blackie I need something, aspirin or whatever.”
“Why don‘t you just tell him? Last month, I was late and Sean went and got the test for me. It was negative.”
“Hmm, I don’t know. He gets pretty spastic about stuff. I guess I should tell him I‘m not feeling well.”
“Hey, if he’s man enough to get you pregnant; he should be man enough to take responsibility,” Katie said.
“Oh, I know he’ll be responsible; I just can’t see getting him upset over nothing,” Meg said louder than she intended.
“I think you let him get away with too much. He’s a big boy.”
“I guess you’re right,” Meg said, narrowing her eyes at Katie.
What’s she the relationship expert?
Blackie glanced over at them. “What are you two talking about?”
“Oh, we’re talking about maybe shopping if we get a chance to go to London,” Katie told him.
“There’s a lot to see and do in London. We can go to Harrods. We have a lot to do before we get that far. Let’s go see those horses. Meg, do you want to ride the mare?”
“No, I’m not feeling too hot. Do you mind riding her?” She said, suddenly feeling shaky.
He came over as they were walking out and put his arm around her.
“Are you okay, baby? What’s wrong?”
“I just feel a little light headed. I’m fine. You must be tired, you’ve been doing everything,” she said putting her head against his shoulder.
“I’m good. Tell me if you start feeling worse. Maybe we’re doing too much,” he said as he turned and kissed her. He looked at her and frowned.
“You’re a little pale,” and he felt her forehead. “You don’t seem to have a fever.”
“I’ll be fine. I feel a little better since we ate something.”
“Okay. I’m going to get these two saddled up. Why don’t you and Katie sit down in the stands and I’ll be out in a few minutes.”
He kissed her again and trotted into the stable area. She and Katie went and sat down in the arena.
“How are you feeling? Did you tell him?” Katie bugged her.
“I feel a little better and no, I didn’t tell him yet. I won’t until I know for sure.”
In a few minutes Blackie came trotting in on the mare and slowed to a walk. He let her walk
for a few minutes and then worked her around the arena through basic gaits and movements. It wasn’t too long when he rode her over to where they were sitting.
“Meg, she’s wonderful; very smooth. Do you want her?”
“Yes, she’s beautiful.”
“Okay, she’s yours,” he said, smiling.
“Thank you, sweetheart, I can’t believe you’re actually buying me a horse. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll think of something,” he said laughing as he walked the mare toward the stable area.
“I just bet you will.” She said smiling at him.
God, I love him. What am I going to do if I’m pregnant? What will he do? I’ll be devastated if this changes our relationship. I couldn’t be pregnant! We’ve used the patch for a while; why a problem now? Maybe the patch itself is making me feel bad. Maybe I should stop using it.
He came back out mounted on the bay gelding. He worked him around the arena and came over when he was done.
“I like this guy, too. He’s not as smooth as the mare but he’s very responsive. Well, I think I’m done here. I’ll be out in a few minutes.” He dismounted and led the horse back.
The guys came walking out together, talking and laughing. They sat down with the girls and Blackie kissed her.
“My legs are super tired. In fact, I’m cramping up a bit. I haven’t done that much riding in one day in years. Let’s order pizza and beer and eat in our room. I’m going to take a long, hot shower before we eat.”
They went back to their rooms to get ready for dinner. Blackie took a pain pill and took a very long shower. Meg picked out her outfit for the next day and then called Katie to see how ready they were.
“We’re almost ready. There’s a pharmacy off the hotel lobby, so I ran in there and got you a test. I’ll stick it in your purse when we come over,” she whispered into the phone.
“Okay, I’m getting nervous about it. Blackie’s still in the shower. He should be out soon. I’ll call and order the food.”
“Okay, see you in ten,” Katie said and hung up.
Meg called room service and ordered two large pizzas, soda and beer. Blackie came out of the shower buck-naked, grabbed her and threw her on the bed. She got hysterical laughing at him. He was trying to be sexy, but started laughing himself.
“This isn’t very seductive is it?” he laughed.
“No, especially since Sean and Katie will be here any minute.” She laughed and pulled him on top of her and he kissed her deeply.
“I could get seductive, though,” he said with a low voice.
“You better get dressed is what you better get, but hold that thought for later,” she said and ran her hands down his back and patted him on the butt. He jumped up, went into the bathroom and came out dressed in jeans and t-shirt. He pulled her into him and kissed her again, deeper. Just then someone knocked on the door.
“Crap!” he said, released her and walked into the bedroom. She opened the door to Sean and Katie.
“Hey, you guys. Come on in.”
Sean sat down on the sofa and turned the TV on.
“Where’s the man?” Sean asked.
“He’ll be right out.”
Katie slipped her the pregnancy test and she stuck it into her purse.
“Thank,” she said.
“Sure. How’re you feeling?” Katie asked her.
“Better. Actually I think the patch might be making me feel crappy.”
“Yeah, maybe. Did you order the food? I’m starving.”
“Yes,” Meg said and another knock came, she let room service in and paid them.
Blackie came out and sat on the floor next to the table.
“Oh boy, pizza. I’m so hungry. The sale starts at eight so we’ll have to get up early. I’m going to get up at six and get showered. Meg, I’ll let you sleep while I’m getting ready. Then I’ll get you up and order breakfast. Does that suit everyone? I mean I’m doing the bidding, so you guys don’t have to be there at eight.”
“I’ll get up and go with you. How about you, Katie?”
“I’m game. I’m interested to see how this works,” Katie said.
“Me, too.” Meg said.
“Okay, I’ll get everyone going; that’s if I can get my ass up at six. Right now I’m hitting the sack.”
“How are your legs feeling?” Sean asked him.
“Better. I took a long shower, so the cramping has stopped. Anything good on TV?”
“No, I think Katie and I are going to turn in. You’re wearing a suit tomorrow?” Sean asked.
“I am, yes. I’d rather wear jeans but it’s traditional to dress nice. I’ll see you guys in the morning. Good night.” Blackie closed the door, cleaned up the food trash and went in and flopped on the bed. He turned the TV on.
“Come here, sweetie,” he said yawning. Meg got on the bed and snuggled up next to him. He pulled her closer and kissed her.
“This is fantastic. I love being together like this. It’s fun traveling together.”
“I like it too. Well, as long as I’m with you, I don’t care where we are.”
“Awww, thanks, honey. Damn, my legs are so tired,” he said stretching.
“Do you want me to massage them? It might help a little.”
“You don’t have to do that. I had something else in mind for you tonight,” he said nuzzling her neck.
“Just wait and I’ll have your legs feeling better in a few minutes,” she said getting up and unzipping his jeans.
“Whoa, I can’t wait if you’re going to do that.”
“Oh, just control yourself for a few minutes.” She said pulling his jeans down and off his feet, then started rubbing his legs.
“Oh, my darling, that feels grand,” he said closing his eyes and sighing. “You have great hands, sweetheart,” he mumbled.
She massaged both his legs for a few minutes and he was asleep. She got off the bed and walked around a bit, but he didn’t wake up. She grabbed the test kit out of her purse, went into the bathroom and did the test. She had to wait ten minutes to read it and it was a very long ten minutes. At the end of the time, she looked at it and there it was. A pink plus sign! She was pregnant! She was stunned. She got this horrible, panicked feeling.
What am I going to do? How am I going to tell Blackie? Suppose he doesn’t want a child now? I won’t have an abortion no matter what he wants, damnit. Could I raise a child on my own? The answer to that is probably no. How could I work with a baby? Get a grip!
She realized she wasn’t giving Blackie enough credit. She knew he was a responsible person.
Why didn’t this stupid patch work? What am I going to do? God, stop it! Go to bed! We have to get up early.
She went back in the bedroom and looked at Blackie. He was still asleep; perfectly relaxed. The father of her baby. He was so beautiful. Asleep, his face looked boyish. God, she loved him! When should she tell him?
She shook her head to stop obsessing. She covered him up with a comforter and crawled under it next to him. She had to get some sleep.
TWENTY-SEVEN
The phone ringing woke her up. Blackie answered it.
“Okay, thank you,” he said sleepily and hung up. His wake-up call. He dialed the phone.
“Sean, it’s six o’clock. Terrible. I feel like a bleeding truck hit me. I’m going to get in the shower. I’ll call you when I order breakfast. Scones okay? Later,” he hung up and groaned. He sat on the edge of the bed for a couple minutes, sighed and went into the bathroom. Meg felt like death warmed over; so tired she couldn’t imagine getting up. She heard the shower start and fell back to sleep. It seemed like an instant later when she felt Blackie touch her hair.
“Meg, honey, its six forty-five. How do you feel?”
“I’m so tired,” she whispered.
“Do you want to sleep in? I’ll come back and get you later,” he said gently.
“No, no, I want to go with you. I’ll get up. I’m just incredibly
tired,” she said and felt lightheaded when she sat up. Blackie sat next to her on the bed.
“I’m worried about you. You’re not usually this tired. You’re sure you’re okay to get up,” he asked putting an arm around her. He smelled delicious. He had on charcoal grey slacks, a white shirt, red tie and black boots.
“I’m fine, I just feel a little dizzy.” She went into the bathroom and started feeling better as the hot water woke her up. She got dressed while Blackie ordered breakfast and called Sean. They came in and Katie looked at her with raised eyebrows. Meg nodded affirmatively and Katie’s eyes got wide. She glanced at Blackie and mouthed, “Did you tell him”, Meg shook her head and Katie’s eyes got even wider.
They all sat down and ate. Blackie had ordered scones, bacon, coffee and juice. Meg felt a lot better after she got some food in her stomach.
They finished eating and piled into the SUV and drove to Kill. Blackie got them seats in the front with Katie and Meg in the second row right behind the men who studied their programs intently.
The auctioneer turned on his mike and announced. “Today ladies and gentlemen, we have a celebrity in the audience. The greatest steeplechase jockey in the history of the sport, please welcome after a long absence, Blackie O’Brien.” Sean had looked up and then over at Blackie and smiled. Blackie hadn’t paid any attention to the announcement until he heard his name.
“What’s that? Why did he call my name?” Blackie asked, confused.
“Just stand up and wave, dummy,” Sean said.
Blackie stood halfway up and waved, self-consciously and, as usual, blushed. Everyone applauded and he looked around, confused and sat down.
“What the hell was that about?” He asked Sean.
“Don’t worry about it.” Sean laughed and ruffled his hair. “I love you Blackie.”
“Uh ... I love you too, Sean,” Blackie just shook his head, going back to his program.
Blackie had a card with a number on it; his buyer number. They waited about forty-five minutes and the first horse they wanted came into the ring.
The auctioneer started the bidding high and no one bid. Finally he got down to a reasonable price and someone bid. Blackie looked to see who it was and then sat there quietly. No one else bid so the auctioneer asked for the next higher bid and Blackie held the card up. The other person bid and looked over at Blackie. Then Blackie bid higher. This went on for a while and finally, Blackie got the horse.