High Hurdles

by Lauraine Snelling

  Lindy glanced at her watch. “Robert and our guests will be here any minute, so hurry up and change. Then we’re going to Gran’s for pizza.”

  “Mom, I already know all that. You’ve been over the weekend schedule sixty-five times.” DJ ducked her mother’s fake swing and headed for her room. Wouldn’t it be nice if they could tease each other like this all the time?

  Six-year-old Allison decided immediately that DJ belonged to her. She oohed and aahed over the pictures on DJ’s bedroom walls and voted that her sleeping bag should definitely be spread in there.

  Meredith, a year older than DJ at fifteen, looked bored with the entire thing. When she did take her earphones off, she acted as though she still had them on and ignored everyone. She chose to sleep in the family room—by herself.

  When DJ entered Gran’s house with Allison on one hand, Bobby and Billy wore matching thunderclouds on their faces. They glared at their cousins and parked right in front of DJ.

  “Hi, guys. Do you remember Allison? You were still in diapers the last time you saw her.” She nodded to each of the girls as she said the names. The twins eyed Allison suspiciously, as if sizing up the competition.

  “I’m Bobby.” The right twin pointed a thumb to his chest.

  “I’m Billy, and DJ’s our sister.” They stepped forward, shoulder to shoulder.

  “She likes us best.”

  DJ looked to Robert for help. All the adults were laughing and talking as if they’d forgotten all about the kids. Meredith had disappeared. If something didn’t happen, they were going to have a war on their hands. Allison’s lower lip stuck out as far as those on the twins.

  “Hey, that’s enough, I—”

  “And we get to ride Bandit first.” The Bs each grabbed one of DJ’s legs and looked up. “Don’t we?”

  “No ponies for kids who don’t share.” Robert scooped a twin under each arm. “And that includes sharing DJ.” He regarded his sons seriously until they each nodded and then put them down. “You guys show your cousin where the games are, or we can put a video on.”

  “Or I could read a story.” DJ thanked Robert with her eyes.

  “Or you could take a break,” Robert said over his shoulder as he carried the twins into the other room.

  “That’s right,” Julia said with a smile. “You are not the designated entertainment for the weekend or the baby-sitter. Come get something to drink and catch your breath.”

  “Thanks.” DJ could tell she was going to like this relative. Julia gave you the feeling that she’d known you all her life and you were best friends. How’d she end up with a daughter like Meredith?

  Andy and his wife, Sonya, along with their daughter Shawna, entered with armloads of pizza boxes. Andy was Joe’s youngest son. Even nine-year-old Shawna carried a pizza box.

  “Hi, all. Food’s here.” Andy led the way to the dining room and they spread the boxes out on the table.

  “Everyone help yourself. The paper plates are over there,” Gran pointed to a stack of wicker plate holders. “And the—”

  “Drinks are in the kitchen,” Joe finished for her. “Little kids get to eat at the breakfast table.”

  “DJ, come on!” One of the twins grabbed her hand and pulled.

  “Nope, DJ is not one of the little kids. She can eat wherever she chooses.” Robert saved the day again.

  DJ took slices of the Hawaiian special and gourmet delight and wandered after the others into the family room. She sat down next to Andy and Sonya on the floor.

  “So, how are the horses and riding coming?” Sonya asked around a mouthful of pizza.

  “Good. Now that I have Major, it’s even more fun.” DJ took a bite of the topping-heavy pizza cradled in her hand. “You playing much volleyball?”

  The conversation swirled around her with everyone laughing, talking, and teasing one another as if they’d been together the weekend before. It would have been easy to feel left out, but Andy made sure she was part of the conversation. When the twins charged back in, Sonya grabbed them and wrestled them to the floor.

  “Run, DJ. Run for your life!”

  DJ ran, but only as far as the dining room for more pizza. She was just scooping a slice onto her plate when she heard someone ask, “So, Robert, when’s the wedding?”

  DJ froze in midaction. She looked up just in time to see Robert flinch.

  “I . . . ah . . . we haven’t set a date yet.”

  DJ glanced at her mother. She wore a smile that almost disguised her tight jaw. But DJ knew her mother too well. Lindy didn’t like being pressured.

  “We decided we needed to get to know each other better before marriage.” Lindy’s words were true, but DJ wasn’t fooled.

  “DJ, we was missing you.” The twins glommed to her like magnets. DJ sighed and smiled down at them. “Where is Allison?” She didn’t bother asking about Meredith. That cousin had made it clear she had no time for people who rode horses.

  “Watching The Little Mermaid. Can you give us horsey rides?”

  “No, she can’t, but I can.” Andy grabbed the gigglers up and dropped to the floor. Both boys climbed onto his back and away they went. Hearing the laughter, Allison clamored for a turn. Within minutes the Bs were riding Robert and Joe while Andy carried Allison. The “horses” raced down the hall on hands and knees. The riders shouted “giddy-up,” the men cried, “outta my way,” and the women laughed till the tears came.

  In bed that night, DJ caught herself giggling again at the thought of the inside race. Allison was already sound asleep after her telling of “The Three Bears,” complete with voices to suit the characters. DJ crossed her arms over her stomach. What a crazy evening. Even if Robert didn’t marry her mother, they were still a part of this wacko family. Bet Grandpa Joe’s knees hurt tomorrow.

  That was the first thing she asked when he stopped by for her in the morning.

  “Oh, some. But I beat out Robert and Andy. Not bad for an old guy.” Gray fog had lightened as they fed the horses and cleaned the stalls.

  The chill made DJ shiver.

  “You should have worn a jacket, child.” Joe tossed out the last of the dirty shavings.

  “It’ll burn off. If shoveling this stuff doesn’t warm you up, what will?”

  “You recovered from all the attention last night?”

  “You mean the kids?” DJ leaned on the handle of her fork. “I wasn’t the one giving horseback rides.”

  “To be honest, someone should have shot me and put me out of my misery. My kneecaps!” He shook his head with a laugh.

  They were both laughing when they saddled up and headed for the arena.

  “Hi, Tony.” Joe lifted a hand in greeting.

  DJ shot her grandfather a startled look.

  “Hi, Joe.” Tony reigned his horse to ride on Joe’s other side. “How’s the cutting-horse training coming along?” He didn’t say anything to DJ, and she squeezed Major into a trot.

  She didn’t hear Joe’s answer. She didn’t want to. Here they’d been having a perfectly good time together and that . . . that—no, she wouldn’t ruin Thanksgiving Day by calling anyone names.

  DJ worked Major on the flat until a sweat rose on his shoulders, then the pair transferred out to the jumping arena. Concentrate, she ordered herself over and over.

  Following Bridget’s advice, DJ tried to keep her self-talk positive. That way, she couldn’t think of Tony—or Hilary, or anything besides jumping. She stayed with the low jumps, focusing on her posture, her hands, and, as always, her head and eyes.

  Major lifted off as if he were floating, each jump effortless as they moved in perfect sync. The sun peeked through, melting away the remaining fog. Around they went, back across the ring and over the jumps.

  DJ heard another rider enter the arena. She looked up. Tony!

  “Guess that’s enough, fella.” She put Major to the final jump. He pulled to the right and ticked the pole. The words she muttered to herself were not positive as they rode back to the barn
.

  After cooling Major out and putting him away, she bridled and mounted Bandit to ride him to Gran’s. You’d have thought she brought Santa Claus the way the little kids greeted her.

  “Okay, I get breakfast before anyone rides. That’s the rule.” She tied the pony to the fence with his lead shank, removed the bridle and saddle, and headed for the back door.

  The smell of roasting turkey wafted through the house. DJ sniffed and closed her eyes to better appreciate the fragrance. How come turkey smelled best on Thanksgiving? She followed the sounds of laughter into the kitchen, where most of the family was gathered, either drinking coffee at the table or preparing food at the counters.

  “Good morning, darlin’.” Gran turned from the dough she was kneading to give DJ a kiss.

  “Homemade rolls?” DJ snitched a bit of dough. “Anything for breakfast for a starving granddaughter?”

  Orange juice, a cinnamon roll, and a bowl of mixed fresh fruit appeared on the table at the same time she sat down.

  “You want some hot chocolate, too?” Julia asked. “The other kids sure enjoyed it.”

  DJ nodded around a mouthful of cinnamon roll.

  “Maybe she’d rather have coffee. She’s almost an adult now,” Andy added.

  “No thanks, hot chocolate will be fine. But you could put a drop of coffee into it.”

  “Ah, we have a mocha lover here.” Martin leaned forward. “I knew it yesterday when we met—a girl after my own heart.”

  DJ grinned back and kept on eating. Each of the Bs had already been in the house asking when she would be ready.

  “Where’s Mom?” She looked at Gran. “And Robert?”

  “They’re over looking at the new house.” Gran winked. “I think they wanted to be alone.”

  Uh-oh, that might not be too good. DJ sipped her hot mocha. She could feel the warmth circle around her belly. Was Lindy over her grump of the night before?

  By the time DJ had given each kid three rides, settled forty-two arguments, refereed thirteen fights, and heard “DJ” one thousand times, she was ready to turn in her cousin badge.

  What she really wanted to do was eat dinner in the garage, on the condition that no one under five feet follow her. Maybe Meredith was the smarter of the two, always disappearing.

  “No, DJ and Meredith are eating with the grown-ups. They’ll be in here just for grace,” Joe settled firmly. “Andy and Sonya are hosting this table.” He parked the twins on phone books so they could see better. “Now we’re all going to say grace together.”

  He took a hand of each twin and raised his voice. “Okay, everyone! God is great, God is good, and we thank Him for our food. Amen.”

  DJ headed to the dining room with a sigh of relief. The kids were fun, but oh, she was ready for some peace and quiet.

  By the time everyone had eaten their fill, the kids were ready to ride again.

  Robert shook his head. “No, DJ is off limits. You can watch a video or play a game or go play outside, but no pony and no DJ.”

  DJ sent him a silent thanks and went to find Joe. They needed to go feed Major and Ranger, and she needed some peace and quiet. Her ears were still ringing from the kids’ endlessly calling her name.

  By the time Sunday evening rolled around, DJ enjoyed the quiet of her own house. She’d been sad to see the Gregorys, except Meredith, leave for Connecticut and had really had a fabulous time like everyone else. Everyone, that is, but her mother. DJ could tell something was bothering her mom. The twins were still at Gran’s, and Robert and Lindy were off someplace together.

  DJ flipped the channels on the television until she found a mystery movie and settled in to watch. She’d already finished her homework, and with the bowl of popcorn on her lap, she didn’t have to get up for anyone or anything.

  A car pulled into the driveway.

  “I don’t think so,” her mother said in the doorway. “Good night, Robert.”

  DJ flinched. She knew that tone well. She huddled deep into the security of the wing chair, wishing she were up in her room and sound asleep in bed. Her mother entered the room.

  “I suppose you’d like to know that I told Robert I wouldn’t marry him. I know that’s what you wanted. Now you can finally be happy.” With that, Lindy marched up the stairs, down the hall, and slammed her bedroom door.

  DJ started to get to her feet, but the shock of the news pushed her back. “Fiddle. Double and triple fiddle.”

  CHAPTER • 14

  “No school tomorrow. What do you want to do?”

  “We should spend the day getting ready for the show.” Always practical Amy.

  “How about taking a lunch and heading up into Briones? We don’t have to stay too long.” DJ closed her eyes. “Just think—trees, trails, hills. I’m so tired of flat arenas I could croak.”

  “Right.” Amy shook her head. “The day DJ Randall turns down a chance to ride just because the ground is flat is—”

  “You know what I mean. Come on, Ames, we’ll work extra fast and then go. We can give the horses baths when we get back.” DJ rested one foot on the curb to prop up her bike. She sent Amy a pleading look. “You don’t want me to go without you, do you?”

  “I’ll ask and call you. Mom’s got the Cub Scouts here right now.” Amy waved and pushed her bike into the cluttered garage. With four kids, there were always toys and sports gear, school books, and other stuff lying around.

  DJ walked into an empty house. As usual, she answered the blinking light to find out where her mother was. “I’m going to dinner with Robert. We won’t be late.”

  DJ shook her head. You had to give the man an A for persistence. Even after Mom said she wouldn’t marry him, he kept coming around. They’d been on the phone every night, and he’d come to visit on Tuesday.

  DJ thought about the wedding that wasn’t going to be while she heated some leftover soup and made a sandwich. Her plan had been to keep Robert and her mother apart. Well, they weren’t apart, but the wedding was off. And her plan had nothing to do with it, even though it was obvious her mother halfway blamed DJ. But now DJ found herself rooting for Robert.

  What would life be like with the Bs around all the time? Noisy, but they could learn to stay out of her room when she needed some space. What about Robert?

  She took her tray into the family room and settled into the wing chair. He wasn’t too bossy. Actually, he was a pretty nice guy. And rich. Well, not really, but he sure had more money than she’d ever seen in her life. And he said he’d help her go for her Olympic dream. Was that the only reason she now thought the marriage might be a good thing?

  That would be really creepy of her. One thing was sure: She wouldn’t come home to an empty house anymore. He’d even said he’d keep the nanny so Mom could continue her career.

  DJ swung one foot and tucked the other underneath her. Robert was right—this house wasn’t big enough for that many people.

  She shrugged and turned on the television. What did any of this matter now? Her mother had decided against the wedding.

  But that night in her prayers, DJ changed her request. “God, my plan sure doesn’t seem to be a good idea anymore. Now that Mom and Robert aren’t getting married, I don’t like it.” She stopped to think. “Gran always says we should ask for what we want and then thank you for doing what’s best. Is that what’s going on here, or did I mess up big time?” She waited, hoping for an answer.

  She heard Lindy come up the stairs. Was her mother crying?

  It wouldn’t be the first time this week.

  DJ tried to return to her prayer. “So, do you have a plan that’s better than mine?” She could still hear sobs.

  She threw back the covers with a sigh. Her mother’s bedroom door was closed. Obviously she didn’t want any company. DJ turned back toward her room, then with a shrug, tapped on the bedroom door. All Mom could do was yell at her or tell her to go away. So what?

  “Yes.”

  “Can I come in?” When there was no answer,
DJ pushed open the door just a crack and peeked in. Lindy sat on the edge of the bed blowing her nose and looking as if she’d been crying for hours. Red eyes, mussed hair, and a mound of crumpled tissues on the bed gave her away.

  “Can I get you something?” DJ paused in front of her mom. “How about some tea or hot chocolate?”

  “That would be nice.” Lindy sighed and wiped her eyes. “I don’t know what’s come over me. All I do is cry lately.” She rubbed the spot where the diamond engagement ring had been, then flopped back on the bed, one hand on her forehead.

  “I’ll be right back.” DJ clattered down the stairs and set the teakettle to heating. She took out a box of tea bags and one of cocoa packets and got out two mugs. By the time she had the tray set, the teapot shrilled. She fixed the hot chocolate, topped it with miniature marshmallows, and carried the tray back upstairs.

  What could she say? If only Gran were here. She always had the perfect words.

  Lindy had changed into a pair of silk pajamas and folded back the covers of the bed. The tissue pile had disappeared, but the box sat on top of the nightstand, within easy reach.

  “DJ, I don’t know what I did right to deserve as good a kid as you.” Lindy accepted the steaming mug with a nod of thanks. “I sure haven’t been the kind of mother who helped make you that way, that’s for certain.” She set the mug down and swung her bare feet up onto the bed. Scooting toward the middle, she patted the edge for DJ to sit down.

  “That’s okay, you were busy. I had Gran.” DJ sipped after blowing on the hot liquid. The screen-saver images on the computer flashed different colored patterns in the corner. Outside, a dog barked.

  “DJ, I’m just so scared.” The words sounded small in the stillness.

  “Scared? You? Hey, you’re not afraid of anything.” With one leg up on the bed, DJ turned so she could see her mother better.

  Lindy pushed her hair back with a shaking hand. “Yes, I am. The thought of marriage makes my stomach hurt. And look what kind of a mother I am. I yell at you or don’t talk to you. I expect you to be the adult around here when you’re just a kid. You shouldn’t have to bring me hot chocolate and listen to me cry.” She snorted. “That’s my job.”