‘YES,’ it said. ‘WE are all one. You are part of us.’ The light then grew larger and brighter and it spoke to me in a thought, ‘Everyone should respect, honor, and love all animals—not just family pets. We are all one.’
Carrie closed her journal and sat back onto her bed.
“Wow,” Shannon said. “So you think this spirit sent you its thoughts and told you that wild horses and pet horses are the same?”
“Yes! I think that’s what I have to do, that’s my mission!” Carrie replied in a voice louder than she wanted.
“I still don’t get it,” said Shannon.
“I’ve gotta think about it more but I don’t think it’s about adopting Cricket. All this time I was getting my hopes up about adopting a horse, but I think all the Calico horses that live around here need me just as much.”
“Do you mean you want to volunteer to help all those people that want to save the horses?”
“I’m not sure what I’m going to do yet, but somehow I think I’m okay with not getting a foal. Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you, we’re not moving.”
“What? I thought you and your mom were looking at homes.”
“Yeah, well, my mom changed her mind and we’re staying right here,” Carrie said, trying to untangle the covers on her bed.
“You sound happy about it.”
“Uh, I guess so. I mean, I was looking forward to it and all, but this place is great, Shannon. Wait ’til you see my room!” Carrie burrowed back under the blankets.
Shannon looked around her own room. It didn’t seem that long ago that she and Carrie were hanging out here and talking for hours. They thought they had the rest of their lives together. They would shut the bedroom door and hide away from nosey grownup ears. Sometimes they would discuss all of the things they wanted to do and be when they grew up. Sitting in her beanbag chair chatting with Carrie while she hid under her blankets seemed perfectly natural.
“But, Carrie,” Shannon sighed, “I think you’re missing something with your dreams and all. I mean, I think there’s something else you’re forgetting.”
“Really, like what?”
“Like—HELLO—the mysterious calico fabric everywhere. Did I tell you that when I sew with them they feel different?”
“Different? You mean they’re not the same cotton. My mom says fabrics come in all different weights and some are thinner then others.”
“No, no, not that kind of feel. I mean they feel warm and tingly to my fingers. I always know when I’m using the swatches you sent me because they feel like they just came out of the clothes dryer, like they crackle with static,” Shannon explained.
“That’s odd. I wonder why.”
“I asked both Grandmom and Lori and they don’t feel anything different, but I do. Sometimes I’ll be working along just sewing and I’ll pick up a new square to add to the quilt and I get this strange warm feeling and then my hands feel prickly.”
“Geez, Lori is sewing quilts now? Everybody’s making those things. Did I tell you my teacher, Mrs. Small, gave your Quilts For Tots pamphlet to her sister and now a bunch of ladies are making them? She said there’s over a hundred women in that quilting club.” Carrie got up, deciding she no longer needed to stay under the blankets.
“Really? All those people are helping just because you told them about what I’m doing? Wait until I tell Grandmom that one!” Shannon squealed in delight.
“I wonder why your hands get tingly and warm?”
“That’s what I’m saying, Carrie. I think those squares and your dreams are connected, don’t you see?”
“So what could those calico patches have to do with my mission?”
“I don’t know but you need to figure that part out,” Shannon said, waving to her brother as he walked into her room.
“Mom said to tell you breakfast will be in a few minutes.”
Shannon nodded, pointing to the phone. “I’m talking to Carrie, I’ll be there in a minute,” she whispered. Brian rolled his eyes and shook his head. His big sister was always saying stuff like that but it was never a few minutes and she always took forever.
“Hmm,” Carrie said. “So I need to think about this some more. Somehow my mission of telling people about the Calico horses and how they are just like pets needs to have these little squares worked into its plan.”
“What plan?”
“I’m not sure yet, but I think I need to meditate about it,” Carrie said as she walked over to her window. She looked out at the Calico Mountains. The sky was clear and the mountains looked particularly colorful that morning. A small band of mustangs were grazing close to the stretch of land that ran beside the B&B.
“Are you still meditating, Carrie? I tried it a few times but Brian or my mom always make a noise and I can’t sit still.”
“Yeah, I’m still doing it and so is Milla. I used to get frustrated in the beginning because my mind always wandered and I heard every noise. It’s easier now, though; it just takes practice, Shan. Try doing it real early in the morning before your house is awake and your mind isn’t filled with stuff yet.”
“I’ll give it a try. Maybe I’ll meditate about these warm swatches, too. Do you think somehow I’m connected to your mission?” asked Shannon, biting her lip.
“Maybe. Why? Do you think you are?” Carrie asked, sitting in her little window seat.
“Well, no one else feels them the way I do. Maybe somehow those little squares of fabric have something to do with me, too.”
“I hadn’t thought of that, but you might be right. I’m gonna talk to my mom about it. Maybe she’ll have some ideas.”
“I thought you two weren’t speaking.”
“Yeah, well, I still think she’s wrong about not getting me a horse, but the funny thing is I don’t even want one now,” Carrie laughed.
“All from talking to me?” asked Shannon, smiling.
“Yeah, what you said helped me to realize I have lots of horses that need caring for,” Carrie said. “And I think you’re right. Maybe you are a part of this mission.”
“Wow, this is exciting!”
Brian came running down the hall with Kelsie close beside him. “Mom says it’s getting cold and you have to come now!” He turned and ran back down the hall, leaving the Labrador to sniff a half-eaten lollipop beside Shannon’s nightstand.
“You have to go, too?” Carrie looked at the little clock on her dresser. “It’s almost time for me to head to camp so I guess I’ll call you later.”
“Yeah. Keep me posted. I want to hear what the plan is, especially now that I’m a part of your mission,” Shannon laughed.
“Our mission, you mean. Okay, Shan, don’t forget to meditate about all of this. I’ll talk to you soon. Bye.”
“I won’t forget. See ya later.”
Shannon stared at her pancakes as the phone rang and her mom picked it up. “Hello. Oh, hi, Ellie. How are you?” Jodi asked.
“Well, I was right. I saw Mark Anderson again with that woman and guess what? You’re not going to believe it…she’s pregnant!”
“Oh, no, not this again. Are you sure it was Mark Anderson?” Jodi walked into the living room away from her children’s ears.
“Yes, it was Brenda’s husband, Mark. I saw them going into the professional plaza when I was getting my blood work done.
“But you don’t know it was a girlfriend. I told you he has sisters.” Jodi glanced back at her children. Shannon’s eyes seemed to be sleepy and she looked odd.
“Hang on, Ellie,” Brenda said, putting down the phone. She hurried to her daughter who looked like she was ready to pass out. Shannon’s skin felt cold and clammy and she wasn’t able to hear Jodi speaking. Jodi quickly put the girl’s head between her knees. She stooped and spoke softly as her daughter grew limp.
“You’re okay, honey. Mommy is right here.” Shannon’s face had turned a sickly white and she began shaking.
“What’s wrong with Shannon, Mommy?” Brian asked, starting t
o cry. Kelsie moved closer and began nudging Brian as if he understood the child needed assurance.
“Shannon’s fine. She’s feeling a bit faint. Please go tell Aunt Ellie I’ll call her back,” Jodi said as she rubbed Shannon’s back. She reached for a glass of water and held it to Shannon’s lips. “Take a sip honey, just a sip.”
Shannon brushed her hair back. “I feel so sick. I remember everything about that day, Mom. I remember Karen hitting me. I remember Aunt Ellie saying something mean about Carrie’s dad. I remember how frightened Lizzie was and how I told Karen I wasn’t afraid of her, but she was so mean to me.” Shannon was sobbing. Jodi hugged her daughter, rocking her, as they both slipped to the floor. She held Shannon in her arms and looked over at Brian who was sitting on the carpet with the large Labrador’s head in his lap. Jodi looked at him reassuringly and he hugged Kelsie.
Jodi went to get tissues while Shannon eased herself back up into her chair. “Is Carrie’s dad cheating on her mom?” Shannon asked, blowing her nose.
“That’s none of our business and I’m so sorry you heard that,” Jodi said. “Your aunt has a wild imagination and she likes to gossip. Moms and dads sometimes get divorced, Shannon, and sometimes they do things that, well, it’s hard for others to understand. But, no, I do not think Carrie’s father is cheating on her mom. I think we should forget about it.” She patted Carrie’s head. “Do you want to talk about Karen and how she hurt you?”
“Well, I remember she was grabbing at Lizzie and I told her I wasn’t afraid and I know she hit me with something. It didn’t feel like her hand. It felt like a hard object, and that’s all I remember. The next thing I knew I was in a hospital and Grandmom was next to me and a really nice man came to visit me.”
“What man? Do you mean the doctors?”
“No. A nice man with a little black dog,” Shannon said.
“There wasn’t any man with a dog, honey. They don’t allow pets in the hospital. You must have dreamed it.”
Shannon sat, dazed, thinking about the wonderful visit from the man wearing red suspenders. “You were unconscious for a while, honey. You had a blow to the head and it may have given you some funny dreams, but you’re safe and that’s all behind you now. Karen is getting the treatment she needs and Lizzie is getting help from a counselor.”
Shannon shivered and looked at her mom. “Why are some people so mean? I never did anything to her.”
“I don’t know, honey—maybe she doesn’t have a nice home life, or maybe she has other problems. I’m not sure but she won’t ever hurt you again. That’s all that matters now.” Shannon wiped her tears and stared at her breakfast. Jodi picked up the cold pancakes and tossed them into Kelsie’s bowl. Kelsie jumped up and ran to inspect the treat.
“Carrie and I are on a mission,” Shannon said, watching her mother as she whisked an egg into a bowl.
“A mission? What kind of mission?” Brian jumped up and came running. He hopped up onto Shannon’s lap, knocking her chin with his helmet. “Ouch! Watch it. You made me bite my lip,” she said, holding him closely while rubbing her mouth.
“I want to be on a mission, too,” he said. “Can I, can I, please?”
“Well, maybe. Do you know anything about the Calico Mountains?”
“Nope.”
“Do you know anything about the Calico horses?”
“Nope.”
“Do you know anything about sewing quilts?”
“Nope.” Brian was becoming frustrated.
“Do you know that all animals are the same and need love and caring?”
“Yep,” Brian said, now smiling.
“Is that the mission?” Jodi asked as she poured batter onto a hot grill.
“Well, that’s just it. Carrie and I are all excited about our big mission. And as soon as we figure it out…well, it’s gonna be awesome!”
Chapter 64
Milla hadn’t offered to help with the dishes tonight. Instead, she lay on her bed and stared up at the ceiling. She closed her eyes, listening to the familiar sound of running water as her father began the evening routine. Washing dishes always reminded her of her grandmother and tonight, well, she was having one of those nights when she needed to talk to her. Grandma would know what to say, she thought. She would understand all about Hope and she would side with me. School would be starting soon and she had rejected her father’s offer to go shopping at the mall.
“Geez, what does he know about shopping, Grandma?” she asked, watching a spider on the ceiling. “He wants to buy me clothes but all I want is one tiny horse,” she said feeling the tears beginning to form. She rolled over and stared at the lavender suede frame holding her favorite photo of her grandmother. “I know you’re with me when I dream and I even think…well, for a second, I think I saw you on the porch with Aunt Sue,” she said as she wiped her eyes. It felt so good to say the word “Aunt,” but it brought more tears.
“Some of the kids told me that my horse is being adopted this week, Grandma. I tried and tried with Dad but you know how stubborn he is,” she said, throwing a stuffed animal across the room.
Devon poked his head in and Milla rolled onto her side facing away from him. “You okay, Mil?” he asked.
“What do you think?” she mumbled, not really wanting to look at him. He walked into the room and sat down on the bed, drying his hands on a small checkered dishtowel. Milla stiffened; she didn’t want any contact with him. She was too angry and she knew he would do what he always did when he found her crying. He would ask her if she wanted to watch TV with him. “Look at me, Mil, I want to talk to you,” he said. She rolled over, fighting back tears.
“I don’t want to watch stupid TV with you, Dad,” she said frowning.
“That’s not what I was going to say. Simmer down and give me a chance, will you? Look, I realize you got your hopes up about that little horse and now you’re disappointed, but honestly, Milla, I just don’t have the time to take care of a horse right now. Can’t you see that?”
“But, Dad, I told you I would take care of her. I’m really good with horses. Ask Mrs. Burke or Aunt Sue, or call any of my teachers and they’ll tell you. I know how to clean stalls, brush them, and all kinds of stuff like that.”
“Do you know how to drive a car back and forth to the barn? Can you pay for the veterinarian bills or her food? Do you have any idea how much it would cost to keep her at a stable?”
“No, but that’s why I need you to help. You’re my dad. Geez, I don’t have anyone else I can ask,” she said, looking away from him.
“I understand, Milla.” Her rubbed her shoulder that shook as she sobbed into her pillow. “I have so many horses that need homes, Milla. Every day a new horse is brought to me. They are young and old and they come in all different colors and every one of them needs to be adopted.”
Milla rolled over and looked at her father. He handed her a box of tissues as she propped herself up against the headboard. “What does that have to do with Hope?” she asked, blowing her nose.
“You found a baby horse that lost her mom and now you want to keep it. I wish we could; honestly, Milla, I wish we could. I guess after having so many horses just like your little palomino I’m just not able to look at it the same way you do. Try to imagine all of those horses I have to find homes for. That’s my job, day in and day out, and I don’t want to come home to take care of another one.”
“But…”
“Let me finish,” he continued. “I think you’re just feeling sorry for yourself. To be quite honest, loads of kids wish they had it as good as you do.”
Milla’s face grew red as she held back her biting thoughts. “Take a good look around, Milla.” Devon waved his arm, pointing to her bedroom walls. Every day you come home with another painting or drawing you made in camp. Some kids can’t even afford camp, let alone a horse and art camp. Look at your hands. That’s right, show me your hands.”
Milla gritted her teeth and stuck out her hands in anger. “What about them
, Dad?”
“Look at those blisters. You sit here and cry about one horse and you’re forgetting about all the ones that need your care. Heck, you’re going to have two horses to ride at Sue’s place. Those blisters, Milla—those are what you get when you work for something. Look at all of these paintings and drawings. What do you see? Look close, Milla, what do you see?”
“I see horses, Dad, okay? That’s what I do at camp. I paint and draw horses.”
“Exactly. Don’t you see that you get to enjoy the very thing you love—art and horses? You’re working at Sue’s and you get to do your artwork. Heck, Sue’s as good an artist as your grandmother. What more could you want?” he asked, shaking his head.
“But I want Hope,” Milla whined, “and Mrs. Burke will let her go to someone else if I don’t adopt her.”
“You are so stubborn. You aren’t even listening to me.”
“Why do I always feel like you think of me as a little girl, Dad? I’m getting older and I think I’m ready for a horse now. I’m not a little kid anymore!”
“I know you’re growing up, but you’ll always be my little girl,” he said.
“But I’m old enough to have my own horse now, Dad! Can’t you see that?”
“No, it’s not the time yet. Maybe one day you will have your own horse, but not yet,” he said, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Milla hung her head down, watching a few tears drip onto her pillow. “Can’t you just ask Aunt Sue and Mrs. Burke about how responsible I am? If they tell you I’m ready now, can we at least talk about it?” she begged.
Devon laughed. “Oh, so you want to negotiate, huh?” Glancing at the photo of his mother sitting on Milla’s dresser, he picked it up and brushed his fingers against the suede frame. “I love this photo of her,” he said.
“I miss her so much, Dad.”
“Yeah, me, too. I wonder what she would make of all this family stuff with Sue?”
“I think she would be thrilled, and I think she would tell you to let me get a horse now!”
Calico Horses and the Patchwork Trail Page 32