Mirror Lake Ranch: Once in a Memory

by Kendra Plunkett-Witt

  “Krystina DeLuch was always a good, sweet girl. She has been nothing but today either. You will be civil and kind while she is here.”

  “Either way I’ll run into town tonight,” I argued back draining my coffee and heading for the door.

  “Fine. I’m sure everyone’ll have a better time without you. Those cowboys will take real nice to Ms. Krys.”

  I froze for an instant at the doorway thinking of Boots over friendliness just a few hours ago.

  “What’s a matter boy?” Ed asked as I stayed paused at the door.

  “Nothing. Not a damned thing.”

  ***

  I had heard about it in the locker room. Danny South was seen asking Krystina DeCuchie out. I felt bad that the name had stuck from a year and some change before. She had been right, it was dirty when others said it.

  She and Gloria were sophomores, I a junior and Danny a senior. Player wasn’t the right word for Danny. Danny gave players a bad name. I would have broken his nose had he asked Gloria out but I didn’t have that kind of right with Krys.

  Nothing had happened after our kiss by the pool. Mainly because I was stupid. She was right – I was too cool. I was the freshman who blew past JV and started varsity. No bench warming for me. My friends were older, mobile and had cool hot girlfriends. I was the only freshman boy to be asked to senior prom. Sure, her boyfriend had dumped her the week before but still. Like a lot of prom dates, I hadn’t come home a virgin.

  I was an idiot.

  So I confronted Krys. Slamming her locker door shut and making her jump.

  “What the hell is with this shit I hear about you and South?”

  “I’m sure the gossip vine has more elaborate stories than I. What did you hear?”

  “Just that you two are going out after the game Friday,” I said following her as she started to walk away.

  “How boring – I expected better. But it’s true.”

  “I told you to stop hanging out at the park on lunch. All that contact buzz isn’t good for you.”

  Krys fake laughed.

  “I’m not kidding Krystina.”

  “Oh, sweet mercy, my full name. Danny is your friend, Gentry.”

  “But he’s not a good guy. Danny South wants one thing and that’s it.”

  “Yeah inside Krys DeLuch’s red lace thong,” she stopped me outside the school as she had been heading to the parking lot. “Look it’s none of your business what I do Gentry. Maybe I’m bored with my virginity. I’m sixteen in the spring, hell of a lot older than you when you shucked yours because you were bored.”

  I had no response but to stand there dumbfounded. Wondering if she had meant it and feeling sick to my stomach.

  But I was there two days later when Danny got handsy at the party after the game. Turns out Krys wasn’t as ready as she acted.

  Chapter Seven

  Krystina

  I had tied Thunder Storm to the barn isle. It was empty on this half. The back half housed three more horses and room for five more.

  I found the curry comb and started working my way over Storms’ body. Even as the stray tear or two managed to fall I was relaxing and finding some peace in spite of Gentry.

  I was more than half way through when I heard someone come in the back followed by a steady clip of hooves. I looked up to see Boots leading a dark bay into an empty stall.

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt,” he said by way of apology.

  “Oh, you’re fine. Just getting to know Storm here a little better.”

  He unclipped the horses lead and shut the stall door. “I see you went the other way on the shortened name. We all call him Thunder. Gentry says riding him flat out his hooves strike like Thunder.”

  “And there is no arguing with the boss man,” I said just a bit sarcastically.

  Boots laughed loud enough Storm lifted his head up and gave us a curious look. “You picked up on that huh?”

  “Long time ago,” I sighed.

  “You two go way back?”

  “Gloria was my best friend when I was a girl. We’ve stayed in touch over the years. Met the two of them when I was five. I haven’t seen Gentry but once since I was eighteen though. I am pretty sure he would refer to me as a hoity-toity Yankee bitch now.”

  “I doubt that. If you haven’t seen him all these years you must have really given him something to hold on to.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Thunder Storm ain’t a quarter horse like most ropers. I wasn’t here back then but I was told not long after Gentry moved here he got Thunder Storm from a BLM round up. Gentled him all alone. Took him through a lot of championships got a few buckles and a couple all around cowboys. He has given some rides to kids with Gentry holding the lead but aside from that, rumor has it, no one else has ever ridden Thunder.”

  “I didn’t know that,” I said softly as I patted the horses neck.

  “A cowboys’ horse, especially on the road and in the arena, that’s his best friend,” Boots stoked Storms muzzle. “Take good care of him.”

  Boots worked around the barn. Brining in horses till all the stalls were filling but Doc and Storms. He fed and watered all of them before disappearing after giving me instructions on Storms diet for when I was done with my horse spa.

  When Storm had every flake of dirt removed and all the knots out of his mane and tail, I fed him and returned him to his stall. It was getting darker out. Going on five o’clock when I left the barn. I was starved and filthy with horse hair. I had chosen to starve and hid in the barn all afternoon instead of taking a lunch.

  Ed met me at the door.

  “I made taco chili for dinner and have the hands coming up at six to eat. I wasn’t sure if you had gotten to meet all them yet.”

  I shook my head no, shucked by borrowed boots and coat before heading for the shower.

  I pulled on jeans and a simple dark green tee shirt, applied a little make up. I reached to put on a piece or two of jewelry, pausing in slight panic in search of my wedding ring before realization hit.

  I no longer had a wedding ring. I had given it, or rather, threw it back at James. Funny as I never forget I wasn’t married but somehow or another I forgot I no longer had a ring on that finger and hadn’t for months.

  There was a small rap on my door – I had left it open a crack as I was dressed. Gentry poked his head in. “Ed wanted me to tell you dinner’s ready and the boys are here.”

  I offered him a weak smile. “Thanks, I’ll be right down.”

  The hands were a lovely enough bunch. But I suspected they were all on their best behavior. They were all cleaned up in fresh clothes like this dinner was some big hoopla.

  Along with Boots there was Robbie, who looked to be about forty- some odd. Ethan, a string bean build who looked to be close to my age and Brandon a fresh-faced kid. The four hands of Mirror Lake.

  They all made conversation and I found out that Robbie was divorced from Ed’s cousin and stayed on the ranch when she ran off.

  Brandon was here for the winter and had high hopes of a career rodeo. Ethan had been on the road with Gentry but when he impregnated a girl in town one visit, they tried to make it work but separated last year and still co parented a three-year-old daughter successfully.

  Boots had been here almost as long as Gentry. Nearing on eight years and was local but instead of getting his own place figured it was a waste of money and liked the bunks.

  I liked them all immensely. Everyone was talking and joking and enjoying themselves. All except for Gentry. As Ed dished out the chili Gentry leaned back and glared. It seemed I was the only one who noticed.

  I got extra glares whenever I talked to Boots. But I tried hard to ignore him. After all I could just stay the hell away from him, he should be able to do the same for me.

  I finished my bowl of chili and declined a second. While it was something I hadn’t been used to it was quite tasty and filling.

  I pulled a shawl I had brought around my shoulders and
stepped out onto the porch.

  “So, Ed tells me you are a divorced New York Socialite,” Boots said as he followed me outside.

  I laughed. “I wouldn’t call me a socialite, not a true one anyhow. I’m no Waldorf. My ex was a plastic surgeon and I … after college, I just became a housewife. A housewife with a maid.”

  “Used to the high life.”

  Again I laughed. “I barely gotten adjusted to the high life when I left it. They used to call me the trailer park princess. I got out of there, went to school in Boston, life just happened from there.”

  “And you thought working for Gentry would snap you back into reality?”

  “I work for Ed. And it wasn’t our idea. Gentry’s sister schemed it up. Thought this place would heal my heart or some shit.”

  “And has it?”

  I thought about that for a moment and heard the door to the house open. I didn’t need to look to know who it was. The air pressure had changed.

  “It’s only been one day. Besides, one must have a broken heart to heal. James didn’t break my heart. My pride maybe. My marriage was over long before my divorce. But James was just a consolation prize. I doubt more each day if I ever really loved him.”

  “Consolation my ass,” Gentry grumbled and Boots and I both turned to look at him. “You went running to him in Boston.”

  “I went running to my education. So I would never be a trailer park princess again. So I wouldn’t be my mother! It was you who cut contact. Don’t you dare act like there was a day in my life where I was going to choose Jimmy over you!”

  “Does this place look like a trailer park to you! Did you really trust me so little that you thought I would hurt you bad enough that you would turn into her?”

  I was glad I was wearing boots so I didn’t have to let anyone see my latest batch of tears. So I stormed away and into the barn staying there for more than an hour before I snuck back into the house for the night.

  Chapter Eight

  Gentry

  Ethan found me in machine shed where I was more or less throwing tools at the damned tractor than doing any fixing. The sound of metal on metal was as calming as I was going to get. A ride tonight would have been preferable, but Krys had headed to the horse barn and I was avoiding her.

  Ethan put a dip of Grizzly in and waited for me to acknowledge his presence. I didn’t.

  “What did you do to piss of Gloria bad enough for her to force Krys on you?”

  “Gloria doesn’t know. Until tonight, I don’t think anyone did.”

  “At least it’s calming to know it was someone worthwhile who fucked you up.”

  “I am not fucked up!” I roared. “Krys is just a pain in the ass I don’t have time to deal with right now.”

  “Good, I’ll pass it on to Boots. He seems to find a spark in her and according to her – she’s well over her divorce.”

  I threw the wrench I had at the old rusted out Massey Ferguson sitting in front of me. It made a good clatter noise but I felt no better.

  “Or not,” Ethan added.

  “I don’t care who she dates. She is not going to be happy here. She’s not ranch material and she has no business staying after my sister clears her to go.”

  “I’m sure she has some use. Fancy education and fancy talking impresses fancy men like that pain in the ass banker Ezell.”

  “I don’t need that expansion loan bad enough. She wouldn’t do it to help me anyhow.”

  “She would for Ed,” Ethan paused and picked up the starter I was planning on installing when I stormed out here.

  “Come on, let’s get this put in.”

  ***

  “Come on,” I urged sliding my hand under her t-shirt. “No one is home yet.”

  She sighed in my ear as I kissed her neck, “Gentry.”

  “Mhmmm, Baby,” I tried pushing her shirt up and she shoved me off her in response.

  “I told you, we can’t.”

  “I don’t see how it could be the worst thing for Gloria and my parents to know about us.”

  “They haven’t exactly approved of you having a girl in house alone before. And if I can’t come here…” she trailed off. She hated it at home. Krys’ mom Teffy DeLuch had once been as beautiful as her daughter. Now she resembled little more than a painted, washed up whore. She had been rode hard and put away wet one to many times. She threw herself to often in the wrong guys arms looking for love.

  The current asshole she picked up was a loud abrasive drunk as the rest of them. Making the trail park home the DeLuch’s lived in all that more terrible.

  “Eighteen more months,” I muttered. It was December of my senior year and despite my desperate attempts to convince Krys to run away with me, she didn’t want to change schools or leave Gloria until after graduation.

  “I promise,” she whispered curling into my side as we sat on the couch. I wrapped my arms tightly around her and kissed her forehead.

  “I promise.”

  ***

  I woke in a cold sweat panic. I was thrust back into reality by my dick seemed lost in yester-year. Until I had heard of Krys’ divorce I hadn’t thought about her in months. I hadn’t had these walk down memory lane dreams in years.

  Maybe she had fucked me up a lot more than I had been willing to admit to myself let alone anyone else.

  My phone buzzed from where it set on top of my dresser. It was only four thirty-seven in the morning according to my alarm. It had near an hour before it would wake me. Wondering who the hell had called or texted me, I half crawled out of bed just enough to reach it.

  Brittany Morris, reminding me about the party tonight. She had probably gotten up extra early just to send me this text before I left for the day.

  For the last six years – ever since an early snow storm had screwed up the original plans, the Morris family put their Halloween party the first weekend in November. The whole town was supposed to haul their asses to the Morris horse ranch, all the better if in costume and celebrate. And the whole town did.

  Linda Morris went all out every year. And every year the decorations grew. The last thing I wanted to do was go the party but I knew I had little choice. They would notice I was missing. Brittany was fresh back from college and most likely husband hunting.

  The Morris family horse ranch, Rosethorn, was an elaborate spread and Brittany was an only child. Rumor had it her dad was ready to know who he had to break in to leave his legacy to.

  I already had Mirror Lake and most importantly, I had no desire to marry Brittany. She was pleasant enough woman, a bouncing blonde, to look at. I had no business with her. I had led her on too long. A few dinners here and there over the last few months and a few to many romps in the hay.

  She had been more than willing to let me rip her pants off and take what I needed. She never left dissatisfied and hadn’t pushed me to label our situation. Lord knows I was an ass and deserved the wrath of Krys. Brittany deserved better than I was. I would have to talk to her soon.

  I lie back in bed thinking of what to say when I thought I heard my name called. I strained to listen.

  “Gentry,” I heard it again – from Krys’ room. From Krys.

  “Gentry don’t. Please! Don’t!” she was sobbing and I knew why.

  I jumped out of bed and ran to her room. I pushed the door open to see her tossing in her bed. Her nightmares had turned worse than mine tonight. “It’s not worth it,” she sobbed.

  I sat down on the edge of her bed and gathered her in my arms. She pushed against me, struggling to be free.

  “It’s okay. Krystina. Shshhh Krys wake up it’s only a dream. It’s only a dream,” I rocked her back and forth in my arms. The blankets had fallen away and I saw he wore only a long t-shirt to bed tonight. She pulled her bare legs into herself and I told my dick to behave as he was contained only by flannel sleep pants and was sans boxers. Now would be the worst time for Krys to find out I would never stop wanting her body at the very least.

  I felt Krys�
� warm tears hit my bare chest as I tried coaxing her awake. I saw her eyes open suddenly and felt her shrink away from me. Yet for some reason I held fast.

  “It’s over Krystina. It’s all in the past. Just a nightmare now.”

  “It seemed so real…” she sobbed.

  “It’s not. Not anymore,” I instinctively flexed my right fist and she winced. I closed my eyes for a moment to try and gather my strength and my sanity. Then I gently laid her back in bed and gathered her blankets, tucking her back in.

  “Sorry I woke you,” her voice was barely above a whisper.

  “It’s okay. I was up. Dreams of my own. It’s about that time anyhow.”

  “Then I need to be up too,” she protested.

  “You don’t have to do this Krys.”

  “Yes, I do,” she paused. “For me.”

  Chapter Nine

  Krystina

  I hadn’t had a dream about Gentry Hollis in years. I hadn’t had that particular nightmare since a week before my wedding, as I started to lose hope that he would come for me. Such foolish and immature hope.

  I had thought I loved James, enough to move on with my life at least. But there was a disappointment in me when no one objected to my marriage. I should have felt like a horrible person for marrying someone while in love with another. But then I remember James and well, it wasn’t as if I had married a decent human being.

  I tried to be a good wife and despite my wayward feelings towards Gentry at the start I never strayed. James had and a lot. I fumed remembering just all the things I had done for him. My useless degree included. I mean who does that? Spends all the years, money and effort on school to not go into the field?

  I did. Why? Because a baby lawyer in any practice didn’t get to have the free time James required I have in order to tend his every whim.

  Now I was shoveling horse manure from the barn while waiting on Ed to take me to town. I wasn’t out of shape and it was a good workout considering there was no way I could screw this up. Probably, but I didn’t for one second think that Gentry wouldn’t find a fault. The few moments of kindness he showed me this morning wouldn’t last. That didn’t appear to be his style now days.