The Boy Who Loves Horses (Pegasus Equestrian Center Series)

by Diana Vincent

  “Katrina…” she started.

  “I love him!” Katrina cried out, turning her face back to Calliope and now sobbing uncontrollably. Sierra watched a few moments as her own heart seized in almost unbearable pain; aching for what she knew Katrina was feeling, aching for her own feelings, and how much it hurt to be rejected by the one you thought you loved. She moved forward and put her arm around Katrina’s shoulders, hugging her again.

  *****

  Giving Calliope the day off, Katrina rode Fala and Sierra rode Fiel on the trail together; both understanding the time with horses was the best way to soothe their troubled spirits. Then Sierra decided to go ahead with her assigned horses for the day even though Tess had given her the day off. It was far better than moping at home, waiting until her mother woke up so she could take her back to the hospital.

  When she arrived home, her mother told her she had called to check on River; that he was stable, off of life-support, and doing well. They planned on moving him out of intensive care in the morning.

  “Sierra, I am too exhausted to go back to the hospital tonight,” Pam said to Sierra’s pleading. “I’m sorry; I will take you tomorrow when I get home from school.”

  Somehow Sierra managed to review her notes for the two final exams she had tomorrow, and although she woke up several times during the night, managed to get several hours of sleep. In a way, the exams were a blessing, giving her something to forcefully focus her mind on, and off of her anxiety over River. She felt like she passed and probably did well on both tests. She completed her work at the stables, and then suffered through her mother wanting to eat dinner before they finally went back to the hospital.

  When they entered through the main lobby, her mother led her to a different area than where they had been yesterday. Pam checked in at the nurses’ station for River’s room number.

  “He’s in 401, but the police are talking with him now.”

  “We’ll wait in the visitor’s room,” Pam said, leading Sierra to an alcove with a few chairs and the usual tables piled with old magazines.

  “The police! Why the police?” Sierra asked in alarm.

  “Someone shot him, Sierra,” Pam stated. “That’s a crime.”

  Of course, Sierra realized and then other thoughts bombarded her mind. What now for River? His father in jail and the other people who lived at his house also arrested; was there anyone at home for him? Would he have to go into a foster home? How little she actually knew of his life beyond the stable.

  From the alcove they could see the nurses’ station and the elevators. When they saw two policemen walk to the elevators and press the down button, they got up and went to River’s room.

  He lay in a bed with eyes closed. Green plastic oxygen tubing delivered oxygen through two small prongs inside his nose. The same large hose draining blood emerged from the covers to the container below the bed. Intravenous tubing draped from a pump and dripped fluid into a vein in his arm, secured with tape.

  Pam set a folding chair beside the bed and indicated Sierra should sit there. “I’m going to ask his nurse how he’s doing,” she said and left the room.

  Sierra sat down, watching River until his eyes flickered open and he looked at her, his expression unreadable.

  “Hi,” she said, feeling very shy.

  “Hi,” he whispered back, his voice hoarse.

  “Are you..?” She didn’t know what to ask. Are you okay seemed a stupid question.

  “I’m okay,” he answered.

  “Storm is with me,” she told him quickly. “Charlie is keeping her company.”

  He nodded and closed his eyes again.

  He must feel awful, she guessed. She sat awkwardly, wishing she could think of something comforting or reassuring.

  “Are you in pain?” she asked.

  He opened his eyes again to look at her. “Not too much.”

  “Oh, that’s good.”

  He closed his eyes again, and she wondered if he was getting drugs; pain killers or something, that made him sleepy.

  “Cory’s fine, I checked on him today,” she said, trying to say the things he would want to hear.

  “Thanks,” he whispered, and opened his eyes once more to meet hers. “Can you lunge him a few days a week? He’s doing so well; I hate for him to lose conditioning.”

  “Of course.” When River managed to keep looking at her she blurted out, “River, what happened?”

  “My father shot me.”

  “Why?”

  “We got in a fight.” He looked away to a point across the room.

  “What’s going to happen?”

  “I don’t know. The police told me he’s in jail. They arrested my aunt as an accessory.” His eyelids drooped closed but he continued to explain, “She didn’t have anything to do with him shooting me though. I told the police that. She’s just a drunk.”

  Sierra watched his face tighten into a frown. She could think of nothing to say.

  Pam came back into the room, followed by Katrina.

  “River!” Katrina cried out at sight of him.

  Feeling embarrassed, although she didn’t know why she should, Sierra quickly got up and let Katrina have her chair.

  River opened his eyes and smiled at Katrina. “Hi,” he greeted her.

  “Oh, River,” Katrina choked back her sobs and grabbed his hand. Sierra noted he did not pull away.

  Pam placed her hands on Sierra’s shoulders, signaling they should leave. “It’s so good to see you awake, River,” she said.

  “Thank you. Thanks for coming,” he said, noticing Pam taking out her keys. “Thanks for taking care of Storm and Cory,” he said to Sierra.

  “Of course. Um, I’ll come see you tomorrow.”

  He nodded, his eyes closing again.

  “Don’t stay too long and tire him out, dear,” Pam cautioned Katrina as she and Sierra left.

  *****

  Every evening after supper, Pam took Sierra to visit River for the week and a half that he remained in the hospital, and they would stay until visiting hours ended. Tess came for a few minutes every evening; and Sierra wondered at the deep circles under her eyes and the deeper creases by her mouth, as to what guilt or anguish kept her looking so haggard; surely not just her concern for River. Manuel and Rosa visited the evenings that Rosa did not have to work at her restaurant job. Allison came by once, bringing horse magazines and homemade cookies; and even Dr. Patterson stopped in. Sierra was at least spared seeing Katrina and River together, for Katrina visited him right after school.

  River’s room filled with cards and flowers, mostly from owners that knew River worked with their horses. Even the Galensburgs sent flowers, actually the largest and most expensive arrangement, and with a card that said the usual ‘get well soon’, but also, handwritten, ‘looking forward to you back on Pendragon’. Jane Fayette, the owner of Moose, actually came to the hospital and assured River not to worry about this show season. She just wanted him to get well. “No other rider could have taken him along as fast as you have; not even Tess,” she told him. “I wasn’t sure he would even make it to intermediate level, and the way you two are going…well, don’t worry, next season. I feel confident you’ll be able to move him up to advanced.”

  Then one evening he had another visitor that bothered Sierra even more than Katrina.

  She stood at the doorway watching while Sierra was telling River how Cory had behaved on the lunge line that day. When Sierra noticed River’s eyes look up over her head and grow wide, she looked over her shoulder to see the girl; still in black, her clothing accented with chains, studs, and many piercings, and spiky, multi-colored hair.

  “Laila!” River said; a surprised timbre in his voice but also a note of gladness, and a smile spreading across his face.

  Sierra shoved away in her chair and quickly stood up as the girl came over to River’s bedside and stood looking down at him.

  “Hey, gay cousin,” she said.

  When River’s smile wide
ned, clearly indicating his happiness to see her, Sierra backed away to take the only other vacant chair in the room, by the window.

  “I’m sorry, please forgive me,” he said quickly as if trying to get something out of the way. “I acted a complete jerk.”

  “Yes, you did,” Laila said and leaned over to kiss him on the mouth before she sat in the chair and took his hand. “Still, I’ve missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you.”

  “How’s school?”

  “I was hanging in there; mostly Cs. They’re going to let me take my finals this summer when I’m better.”

  “Need help studying?”

  “Yeah, I could use your help.”

  No, I don’t believe this! Sierra’s heart cried in anguish as she watched.

  “How did you know I was here?”

  “I ran into your cousin last night and he told me.”

  “Oh, so they released him…that’s good…and my aunt?”

  “Yeah, she’s home. She and Steve were never actually charged with anything. Your father made a full confession and Steve said they asked him a lot of questions about drug dealers and stuff, but still let them go after a few hours at the station. Your father’s trial is in two weeks.”

  As Laila told him the news, River’s brow creased into a frown, his eyes closed tightly, and his mouth closed in a grim downward curve; as if a dark shadow passed over him. When Laila finished, she watched him for a few moments and then leaned down to whisper, but Sierra heard. “You won’t ever have to see him again. You’re free of him.” River nodded, not opening his eyes, as if trying to control his reaction. But as Laila remained leaning close, holding his hand and smoothing hair off his forehead; his expression slowly softened and his features smoothed into neutral.

  Sierra recognized they shared something profound, and she felt very left out and inadequate.

  At last River opened his eyes and looking at Laila said, “That’s Sierra.”

  Laila turned and with a smirky look said, “Hi Sierra. I’m Laila.”

  “Hi,” Sierra said weakly, and now feeling like she should leave. “Um, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, River.” She rose from her chair. Her mother had gone to another floor to get some information on a patient she needed for a homework assignment. She would wait for her in the alcove.

  “Okay,” River said, not asking her to stay. “See you tomorrow?”

  “Of course.” Sierra left the room feeling as if her heart would burst through her chest, exposing her feelings for all to witness.

  Many evenings, it was just her and River. She would sit quietly at his side after she had told him about the horses and Storm, and watch him retreat into his own thoughts, withdrawn from her. But when she thought he had fallen asleep and she would get up to go, he usually opened his eyes and asked, “Do you have to go?”

  “No, I can stay as long as you want me to; until the nurses kick me out,” she answered, her heart filling with warmth at the thought that he wanted her to stay. She longed to take his hand the way she had seen both Katrina and Laila do, but never quite had the nerve. She was too afraid he would pull away.

  One evening when Sierra and Pam arrived, Tess was already there, and pacing in front of the window. River sat propped up in bed with a tight expression.

  “River has agreed to see his father,” Tess explained. “The police are bringing him.”

  “Should we go?” Pam asked.

  “No,” River stated, emphatically. “Stay.”

  Shortly after, Cray arrived, handcuffed, wearing an orange jumpsuit, and accompanied by two policemen. Sierra hardly recognized the wreck of a man that she had seen several times at the stable.

  Cray burst into tears as soon as he sat down at the bedside. “I didn’t mean it, I swear, I didn’t,” he repeated through his choked sobs.

  “You shot me in the back,” River said through a tight mouth, unsympathetic to his tears. “You tried to kill me.”

  “I didn’t,” Cray denied. “It was an accident, I swear. I only meant to shoot over your head to get your attention, but I lost my balance. You know how drunk I was. I didn’t know what I was doing.”

  “Right,” River retorted and turned his face away.

  “Please, forgive me,” Cray pleaded.

  “Can you take him away?” River asked the officers.

  “Time’s up,” one officer said, pulling Cray to his feet and propelling him toward the door.

  Tess, who had watched in disgust, suddenly said, “Cray.”

  He turned his head toward her.

  “If you ever touch this boy again, I’ll kill you myself.”

  Sierra looked at Tess in shock, that she would make such a statement in front of the police. But one of the officers actually showed signs of a smile at her words. She guessed a man who had shot his own son would not find much sympathy with the law.

  *****

  When River was finally discharged, Sierra was surprised to discover all that Tess did to help him. She had immediately contacted her own lawyer and also Mr. Tanglewilde, the lawyer in charge of River’s inheritance from João. When she met resistance at her offer to take River as a foster child, she petitioned for him to become an emancipated minor. River would turn eighteen in about seven months; already had a job at the stable, and as it appeared he had essentially been taking care of himself for years, the petition was granted. Tess had the empty floor above the stable lounge cleaned up and furnished as a room for River. He would have the bathroom with a shower downstairs in the lounge, as well as a refrigerator and microwave. It was certainly a step up from where River had been living.

  The social worker assigned to River at the hospital, insisted however, that River stay in a foster home after discharge, to be sure his medical needs were met and his injury well-healed before living on his own. She also insisted and had approved in the conditions of his emancipation, that he see a counselor once a week until he turned eighteen.

  River stayed in foster care six weeks.

  *****

  Riders from Pegasus participated in two competitions while River convalesced; one dressage show and one horse trial. Fiel did very well in his two second level tests. Tess rode Pendragon at fourth level, and placed fourth in the class. Sierra couldn’t help feeling proud for River when Mrs. Galensburg’s only comment to Tess was, “When is your boy going to be able to ride again?”

  At the horse trial, Dean again came in first at training level, and Sierra took third on Silver. Gloria had time faults and one refusal cross country on Four Score, and did not place in the ribbons. Crystal, to no one’s surprise, came in first at preliminary, and Katrina came in fifth, dropping from third place when Calliope took a rail down in stadium.

  As they were returning from the victory round, Sierra heard footsteps behind her, and turned to find Dean walking up, carrying his first place trophy. “So the famous golden boy of the Pegasus team couldn’t face me today,” he said, smiling as he gestured with his trophy.

  Sierra glared at him. She knew Dean must know what had happened to River, for the whole school during finals week had been buzzing with the news.

  “Shot by his father, tsk, tsk,” Dean said in a mock sympathetic tone when she didn’t answer him.

  “Go away,” Sierra said flatly, and turned her back, stepping up her pace as she led Silver back to the stalls, her neck turning red and her spine prickling at his derisive laughter that followed her.

  *****

  “Come on, River, let’s go for a walk.” Laila shoved at River’s shoulder where he lay on top of his bed, facing the wall.

  “I don’t feel like it.”

  “I don’t care; I do. Come on.”

  “Since when did you become the exercise nut?” He begrudgingly opened his eyes and glanced over his shoulder at her, since she wouldn’t quit bothering him.

  “Since you need to get off your pathetic ass and walk.”

  “Go away,” River groaned into his pillow.

  Laila ripped aw
ay the quilt that River hibernated beneath. “Quit feeling sorry for yourself and get up.”

  River rolled onto his back to face Laila, glowering at her. “I’m not feeling sorry for myself. I just want to sleep.”

  “That’s all you’ve done for the past week. The Marshalls tell me you lie here in bed all day. You hardly eat anything at all. The more you sleep and do nothing, the less your body wants to do.”

  “When did you get to be the medical expert?”

  Stepping back, Laila controlled the retort she wanted to shout at him in exasperation. All that kept her standing in place with her arms folded across her chest in determination was the memory of another person who hadn’t given up when she had gone through her own suicidal period. That person had saved her life. She didn’t think River was suicidal, but he was definitely depressed. And he certainly didn’t get it that he could not sleep away his days until he was allowed to return to the stable.

  “I am not leaving. I am going to stand here until you get up and walk with me.”

  River glared at her without moving. When he closed his eyes and started to roll back away she ordered, “Don’t you dare.” She reached over and grabbed his shoulder, preventing him from turning.

  “Okay,” he groaned in resignation, and sat up abruptly. Then he groaned again, hugging his side where his wound still ached and burned whenever he moved too quickly. He looked up at Laila, expecting sympathy, but she merely retained her militant posture with her determined expression unaltered.

  “It hurts,” he whined.

  “Of course it hurts. Your damn father shot you in the back. He tried to kill you. Now, are you going to let him kill you for real?”

  River’s eyes widened at her blunt words. Then he hunched over himself to escape her disgusted look, and hugging his side, complained, “I hate it here. The Marshalls won’t let me go to the stable. They won’t let me keep Storm here. All I’m allowed to do is go for walks and watch television. I hate television.”