Major snorted and bobbed his head. She checked his hay net and the water bucket, then got his grain. “I’d much rather stay here with you than go to dinner with Robert. Why doesn’t he just come to Gran’s for dinner?”
Joe appeared at the stall opening. “Because he wants time with you, not us. You ready to go?”
“Where would you like to eat?” Robert asked once they were in his car heading for the road. “What kind of food do you like?”
“Chinese, Italian, Mexican—pretty much anything but Thai, it’s too spicy.” DJ looked over at the man driving. “I’m not particular. What do you like?”
“All of the above. How about we go somewhere you don’t go often?”
That won’t be hard, DJ thought. We never go out except for hamburgers or pizza. “Italian then?”
“Fine. How about Giannini’s?”
When they were seated in a booth with a white tablecloth and their hostess had lighted the low candle, DJ looked around. Robert had good taste in restaurants—now if only the food lived up to the decor.
“I know the ravioli is delicious, and the pastas are superb. They make their own.” Robert smiled at the waiter, who wore a black tie and spoke with a heavy Italian accent. “What do you want to drink, DJ? I’m having iced tea.”
“That’ll be fine.” DJ looked up when the waiter lifted the crown-shaped napkin from her plate, shook it, and laid it across her lap. “Ah, thank you.” She glanced over to catch a smile on Robert’s face. She raised her eyebrows and smiled back.
By the time they’d ordered, she couldn’t begin to explain why she’d been uptight about dinner with Robert. He made her laugh and got her to tell him all about her early days at the Academy—and the disastrous times she and Amy had tried to earn money.
“And the hamsters got loose in the garage?”
“Actually, some of them were in my bedroom. One even got into Mom’s.” DJ rolled her tongue in the side of her cheek. “She can yell pretty loudly when a creepy critter gets too close.”
Robert went from a chuckle to an outright laugh, a deep sound that made other people turn to see who was having such a good time.
“Did you catch them all?”
“Finally. I sold them to a friend whose brother had a six-foot boa constrictor. He was always looking for snake food.”
Their dinner was everything Robert had promised. DJ knew that from then on, she’d be partial to ravioli. The dessert tray looked like an artist had been painting dreams. She chose something called chocolate decadence and wished she could eat such creamy chocolate every night.
When Robert ordered coffee, she leaned back in her chair and gave serious thought to unbuttoning the waistband of her twill dress pants.
“Tell me about your dream of being on the Olympic team.”
“That’s what I’m trying for.” DJ leaned her elbows on the table.
“No, I mean, what will it take? I have no idea how a person ends up on the U.S. equestrian team.”
“Well, you need to qualify, just like for all the other sports. I’d have to be known for winning shows—the big shows where you earn points. Olympic riders have really top-notch horses—hot bloods like Thoroughbreds—and both the horse and rider undergo tremendous training.”
“Sounds expensive.”
“It is. It’s also one of the few events where age doesn’t count. In fact, rarely is someone under twenty-five admitted to the team.” DJ moved her spoon around. “I know I can do it, though. Gran says that if you want something bad enough and pray hard and work hard for it, you can do it. I’ve been working and praying as hard as I can, so I figure God will help me. At least, that’s what Gran says. She teaches me Bible verses so I know where to turn for encouragement.”
“Well, I’d like to be one of those who helps you, too. You have a big dream, DJ, and I admire people who are willing to work hard for their dreams.”
“Thank you.”
Once back in the car, Robert asked, “What did you think of my new house?”
“It’s nice.”
“Did Lindy tell you what I plan to do with it?”
DJ shook her head. “Mom and I haven’t talked a lot since then.”
“She’s upset, isn’t she?”
DJ shrugged. How was she supposed to answer that?
“Look, DJ, I know you weren’t exactly pleased at first with the idea of me marrying your mother. I’m hoping that’s changed, because I really want us all to be together. I love your mother, and I know she loves me. If we all work at it, we’ll make a wonderful family. And after I finish the remodeling, that house will be a great place for all of us. You can have what is now the master bedroom and bath for your own, and the boys will share the other. The new wing will have a master-bedroom suite, an office for me, and probably a playroom. I’m not sure yet.”
He looked over at DJ. “I’m trying to give you a sales job, aren’t I?”
“You didn’t mention the horse barn yet.” DJ grinned at him. “The boys already told me they were going to take riding lessons.”
“Yeah, ponies and dogs are all they think about.” He turned into Gran’s driveway. “Sometime I’d like to hear what you think about this wedding. Thanks for the date. I really enjoyed myself.”
“So did I.” DJ climbed out of the car. “Tell the boys hi for me. And thank you for the yummy dinner.”
“Did you have a good time?” Gran asked as DJ stepped in the door.
“Yeah, I did. He’s a really nice person.” DJ yawned. “I better get to bed. Gran, I’ve been thinking—if I could work Major mornings before school, I’d have more time in the afternoon and evening for all the other stuff I have to do. What do you think?”
Gran shook her head. “I think that’s asking too much of yourself.”
“Other Olympic contenders do it—why not me?”
“But why not?” DJ carefully kept any trace of a whine out of her voice. She had asked her mother to discuss the idea of early morning workouts again, and acting like a little kid wouldn’t help her cause. While her mother had said no several months before, maybe now would be different. DJ certainly hoped so.
“DJ, you have too much to do already.” Lindy paced the family room. “You’d have to ride up to the Academy in the dark, and I won’t permit that.”
“You could give me a ride on your way to work.”
“But you’d go to school smelling like a horse. No, that just won’t work.”
“Please, Mom. Just think about it, okay?”
“DJ, no. I haven’t changed my mind. I cannot give you permission to ride in the morning, and that’s that. You are only fourteen, and you need your rest. You’d have to be in bed by eight to keep going, and you know how you like to stay up late.”
“I can change.” DJ bit her lip to keep angry words from spilling out.
“We won’t discuss this anymore. Just keep up your chores and your grades—that’s all I ask. Your life at the Academy is your choice. You have your horse now, can’t you be satisfied?”
“No, I can’t. You always have money for the things you want, like school and another degree. Just because I don’t want the same things you do, you won’t help me. You don’t care.”
“Darla Jean Randall—”
“Don’t bother to say it. I’m going.” She spun away and dashed up the stairs to her room. Just in time, she kept from slamming the door. She flung herself across the bed and pounded her fists on the mattress. Her eyes burned and her throat closed. She would not cry. She would not! Only babies cried.
How come her mother could be so selfish? She didn’t care about anything but herself. DJ thumped her fist again in rhythm with her thoughts. Why? I know she hates me. She isn’t like a mother—Gran is more my mother. It isn’t fair!
After a time of thumping and muttering her angry thoughts, DJ rolled over onto her back and stared at the ceiling. Why couldn’t she stay cool and calm like she’d planned? Fighting never did any good.
She could hea
r the water running in her mother’s bathroom. Lindy was brushing her teeth. What would happen if DJ went in there and demanded she be allowed to ride in the morning?
Dumb idea.
What if she went in and said she was sorry? But sorry for what? For asking for what she wanted? That’s what Gran had said to do—ask. Of course, Gran had meant she should ask God and Gran; she never mentioned asking Lindy.
DJ chewed on the cuticle of her thumb. What if her mother came in here and kissed her good-night and said I love you, like Gran used to do? She brushed the sides of her eyes and swallowed—hard.
The next afternoon at the Academy, she was back to square one with Andrew. Suddenly, he didn’t want to brush Bandit, he didn’t want to feed Bandit, he didn’t even want to be in the stall with the pony.
“What’s happened, Andrew? I thought you were beginning to like Bandit.”
“No. I want to go home.”
Short of dragging him into the stall, DJ didn’t know what to do. “You want to come see Major?” A head shake. “How about saying hello to Patches? We could stand back a ways.” Another shake. The boy’s lower lip stuck out, and his chin wobbled. DJ sank down against the wall and patted the shavings next to her. “Come sit here with me. We have to talk.”
Keeping one eye on the pony who stood in front of the hay net pulling out wisps of hay and munching, the little boy joined DJ, copying her cross-legged pose.
“Now, the way I see it, your job is to groom Bandit here. He’s never hurt you.”
“But, he scared me.”
“I know, but it wasn’t on purpose. He was swatting flies. I need to put fly spray on him so the flies don’t bother him. How would you like flies crawling on your legs and in your eyes?”
The boy shuddered. “Yuk.”
“So let’s get with the program and get this pony groomed. Then we can put fly spray on him.” She got to her feet and extended a hand. Andrew let her pull him up.
With a look that said he thought she was killing him, he took the brush and started brushing.
Please, God, don’t let Bandit frighten him again. Help this kid get over his fear and please show me how to help, too. DJ kept brushing, praying, and teasing Andrew until he finally laughed at one of her jokes.
By the end of their session, they had one clean pony and one boy who’d overcome enough fear to keep going.
“You know, Andrew, you are one brave guy.” DJ held the bucket while he filled it with grooming gear.
“Why?”
“ ’Cause even though you’re afraid, you keep on trying. That’s pretty neat, don’t you think?”
“I guess.”
His mother met them with her arm in a sling.
“What happened to you?” DJ asked.
“Andrew, why don’t you go get in the car. I’ll be right there.” Mrs. Johnson sent her son on the way with a pat on the shoulder. She turned to DJ. “I fell off Patches and wrenched my shoulder. Andrew was scared again today, wasn’t he?”
DJ nodded. “But we got through it. Tough about getting hurt. Falls happen a lot with horses. Did Patches act up?”
“He spooked at something, and I just wasn’t ready. I probably wasn’t paying close enough attention.”
“Too bad. Well, take care of your arm, and I’ll make sure Patches gets the steam worked off. You’re putting him on the hot walker or lunging him first, aren’t you?”
“Usually, but that time I didn’t. I was in a hurry.” Mrs. Johnson shook her head. “I had to learn a lesson, I guess. See you.”
DJ wandered back into the barn. She could hear raised voices coming from the south aisle of the barn. She stopped to listen. The drawl and the words being used indicated one voice could only be Tony Andrada’s. DJ felt like a rampaging mother bear whose cub had been attacked. What right had he to talk to Hilary like that—Hilary, who wouldn’t hurt an ant?
DJ stormed down the aisle, but by the time she reached the stall, Tony had made it out the door and Hilary had disappeared.
DJ checked all the stalls. No Hilary. She looked in the tack room and trotted across to the office, but it was locked. Even Bridget was gone. Back in the barn, she thought for a moment. The haystack!
Hilary was wiping away her tears when DJ approached.
“I swear, I could hit him over the head with a shovel.” DJ sank down on a bale of hay.
“It wouldn’t do any good. He’s as hardheaded as they come. It isn’t just that I’m black, either—he thinks all women should do his work for him. I bet his mother still butters his toast.”
“And picks up his dirty socks.”
“Makes his bed. She’d probably breathe for him if she could.” The two girls shared a bit of a smile at their jokes.
“Have you said anything to Bridget?” DJ rested her arms on her knees.
Hilary shook her head. “But I don’t think I can put up with this much longer. I’ve found another stable that will take my horse, and their trainer is okay.” She straightened her back and took a deep breath. “If I could only keep him from getting to me. My father says to ignore him, and, DJ, I try. I really try. But he just won’t quit. And to make matters worse, he doesn’t finish his chores and tries to get by without doing a good job. You know Bridget trains us all to do everything correctly. We don’t allow slipshod work here.”
“Until Tony.” DJ swung her clasped hands. “James wasn’t always the greatest worker, either, but he was younger and he came around. And he didn’t have a father who hammered racist garbage into his head.”
“You heard Tony?”
DJ nodded. “I guess I didn’t really want to believe people think like that anymore, let alone teach it to their kids.”
Hilary rose to her feet and pulled a tissue from her pocket to blow her nose. “Thanks, DJ, you’re a true friend. I just wish we could find a way to deal with Tony.”
“You could tell Bridget and get him kicked out of here.”
“Yes, I could do that.”
“Or I could.”
Hilary shook her head and stared up at the hills in Briones. “No . . . if anyone tells, it will be me.”
That evening at Gran’s, DJ told them what had happened. “Tony Andrada is creepo of the creepos. I don’t blame Hilary for wanting to leave. Some plan Ames and I had—it didn’t work at all. We’ve been ignoring him, but the only one he picks on is Hilary. And me, ’cause he knows I’m her friend.”
“Changing someone’s behavior can take a lot of time and effort.” Joe set his paper down so he could see DJ.
“Our time is running out.”
“You know, darlin’, there’s a Bible verse that says—”
“Gran, with you there’s always a Bible verse!” DJ was getting exasperated.
Gran winked at her and continued. “This one fits perfectly. Jesus tells us to pray for our enemies, and so heap burning coals on their heads.”
“Burning coals will work for Tony’s head just fine. I’ll help with the heaping.”
“So, how about praying for him?”
“Gran, that’s impossible. I can’t do that.”
“Would you pray for Tony if it could help Hilary? Keep her at the Academy?”
DJ stared at her grandmother. Could she pray for Tony? “I don’t know.”
“Then you need to pray another prayer first.”
DJ sighed. “What’s that?”
“A pastor friend of mine once told me that when you know you should do something and you can’t, you should pray, ‘Lord, make me willing to be willing.’ Works every time.”
“How about, ‘Lord, make Tony willing’?” DJ shook her head at the look on her grandmother’s face. “All right, I’ll try.” She sighed.
Gran shook her head.
“I’ll do it, okay?” What had she gotten herself into this time?
CHAPTER • 13
The prayers weren’t working.
“I’m sorry, DJ,” Hilary said. “Even my dad said we should go somewhere else. We’ll stay till
the show and then I’m out of here.”
“Oh, Hil, I don’t want that to happen.”
“Me neither, but we’ll still be friends. I’ll see you at shows and stuff.”
“It won’t be the same. I still think you should tell Bridget. She has a right to know.”
“Dad says to write her a letter after I leave so it won’t look like I’m asking her to make a choice. Besides, what can I say? ‘Tony calls me names and such.’ I should be tougher than that.”
After the girls went about their work, DJ couldn’t get Hilary’s sad face out of her mind. God, I thought you were going to work on this. I’ve been praying for Tony—sort of—and nothing’s happening. Time’s running out.
She saddled Patches and prepared for a rough workout since he hadn’t been on the lunge or hot walker. She needed the fight as much as he did.
Since it was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and they were having company, Lindy had just finished making the bed in the spare room and setting out towels when DJ arrived at home. “Do you mind if the girls bunk down in your room? I thought they could choose between the family room, their parents’ room, and yours. What do you think?”
“Whatever.” It seemed strange that they were preparing to meet family for the first time. Robert’s sister, Julia Gregory, her husband, Martin, and their two children were coming for Thanksgiving because Gran and Joe had invited everyone to their house for Thanksgiving dinner. The Gregorys lived in Connecticut and hadn’t been able to come to the wedding.
“You’ve already stabled Bandit at Joe’s so we can give the kids pony rides?”
“No, not till Friday. Joe and I thought we’d take everyone over to the Academy to look around. Mom, calm down. It isn’t like the president of the United States is coming.”
“Easy for you to say.” Lindy stopped in the doorway with her hands on her hips. “At least it looks nice.”
Looked nicer when Gran lived here. But DJ kept her thoughts to herself. She didn’t want to shatter the truce that existed between her and her mother. Besides, Gran wasn’t coming back, and DJ needed to live with that.
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