Nothing But Horses

by Shannon Kennedy

  I laughed. “All right. I give up. You and Felicia can work out the details of your relationship on your own.”

  “We’re cool. We got along great when she was home for Christmas break. We talk a lot now on the phone and she gave me awesome advice about guys when I didn’t know what I wanted. She told me the best kind to date are the ones who like you for yourself. If you have to change who you are to please them, they’re not worth it.”

  “She’s pretty smart. I wish someone would have given that advice to my mom years ago. Hey, did you see her ring?”

  “Yeah, I can’t believe Rocky went for a cop this time,” Robin said. “I asked him and he said he never did rodeo. He has issues with the way they treat the bucking horses and steers.”

  “I can believe that. He’s totally into animals first and people next.”

  “No wonder he gets along so well with you horse-crazy folks.” Robin smiled at Dani as she approached. “Hi, Ms. Vice-Prez. What did your parents say when they called last night?”

  “They’re cool with it as long as it doesn’t interfere with my showing Lady. When I said I could add the 4-H shows to my roster, they were totally jazzed.” Dani took the mocha I offered. “I threw in a bunch of ma’ams and sirs and they were happy campers. They thanked Louise and promised her yet another raise because my manners are so much better.”

  Vicky arrived next and I handed over her favorite peppermint latte. She eyed me, then said. “I saw you playing ball with Tom and Dave last night. You were kicking their buns. I told Jack that you dunked eight times in a row and he said you definitely aren’t joining his team. The guys can’t compete with that. You couldn’t have been hurt too badly at the game on Thursday.”

  “I’m fine. It only hurt that night. Every time I felt a twinge on Friday, I opted for ice. By Saturday afternoon, I did okay at auditions.”

  “Are you joking?” Dani demanded. “You nailed that song. You and Patricia were the best from our school. The only one better was that dark-haired chick from Centennial and I can’t see her pretending to be a guy. She has too good a figure.”

  “Well, I’m going to tell Mr. Haller to choose her when we get to Choir class,” I said. “They should opt for Ms. Incredible. Patricia and I agreed that we’ll have an awesome time creating costumes for her. Besides, she’s a senior. Starring in the last production would look great on her college apps.”

  “Okay, you’ve convinced me. Now, how did you get Patricia on your side?”

  “Piece of cake,” I said. “We decided that basketball comes first and we want the team to go to State. We can really focus on our games if we don’t have to stress over rehearsals. Anyway, she’ll probably be the star’s understudy.”

  “Her name isn’t Ms. Incredible, is it?” Robin asked.

  Dani and I looked at each other. She shrugged and so did I. “Sorry, we don’t know her real name,” I said. “She has this voice. After she did Le Jazz Hot, Mr. Haller asked the three of us to come back and do a different song, Crazy World from the same show.”

  “How did it go?” Vicky pulled the cap off her cup. “How did you and Patricia do?”

  “We were okay. Patricia was better than me. I messed up the bridge.”

  “And then Ms. Incredible nailed that one too,” Dani said. “She does have as much talent as Sierra says.”

  “It’d be wrong to take the part away from her.” The first bell rang and I stood. “So, I’m not doing it and neither is Patricia. Now, we get Mr. Haller on board and he can call Centennial and work it out with the other drama teacher.”

  * * * *

  Marysville, Washington

  Tuesday, January 21st, 3:10 pm

  Basketball practice started with stretches and then we ran lines to build our stamina. I stayed with the herd. Okay, so the squad wasn’t horses, but the theory was the same. The lead mare took responsibility for a herd of wild mustangs when they raced across country while the stallion stayed at the back as a rear guard. I’d known that fact before I read it again in Monty Roberts’ book. There was safety in numbers. If I wasn’t out in front, I couldn’t be accused of trying to be a star.

  After we ran lines forever, we did lay-up drills again. This week I’d figured out Coach Norris would switch things up and I was right about who would begin shooting baskets. So, I made sure I was the last in Olivia’s line. I deliberately missed when it was my turn. I continued to mess up all my shots on a regular basis for the rest of the practice drills.

  During the scrimmages, Dr. Danvers and a short, silver-haired guy in a dark suit that I recognized as Principal Gallagher arrived. They stood just inside the gym doors and watched us play. I passed to Kanisha who took the ball down the court. She got it to Cedar who scored. I expected Coach Norris to speak to the administrators while we played, but he didn’t. Instead, he kept watching us. He also didn’t send in a sub for me when he did for everyone else.

  I continued passing and avoiding any opportunity to shoot. When I was the closest to the basket and couldn’t avoid it, I air-balled. Finally, the whistle sounded. We jogged off to begin our cool down laps. Ten minutes later, we headed over to Coach Norris who stood with the counselor and principal.

  “Two wins in two weeks.” Principal Gallagher smiled around at the group of us. “I can’t wait to see you at State. Keep up the good work.”

  Patricia led us into the locker room and Dr. Danvers followed. She walked up beside me, and put an arm around my shoulders. “Sierra, can I offer you some advice?”

  “What? I don’t need any shrinky words of wisdom. I get enough of those from my regular counselor.”

  “No, this is about basketball, Sierra.”

  The entire squad stopped and stared at us. Dr. Danvers smiled sweetly. “Here’s the deal, girls. Nobody with Sierra’s stats misses every time she shoots unless it’s on purpose. You know that. I know that. Anybody who has ever played any kind of game knows it, especially Principal Gallagher.”

  “She has to dial it down to keep Coach Norris happy,” Neva said. “Otherwise, he benches her during the game and makes her run lines all Friday.”

  “He won’t bench her again.” Dr. Danvers hugged me super quick before she stepped away. “She plays at least two quarters every game. One of those will always be the last so she can continue to help Lincoln have strong finishes.”

  “No way.” I stared at her. “How do you intend to make that happen? Shrink Coach’s head?”

  “No, that’s not my job. Principal Gallagher is making it happen for you.” Dr. Danvers folded her arms, measuring me with her steady gaze. “Those are the only accommodations we’re providing for you, Sierra. You still run lines if you disrespect Coach Norris. We expect you to try and learn what he teaches you.”

  “I am,” I said. “He’s really strong on teamwork. It’s making me a better player.”

  “Sounds good.” She patted my shoulder. “I want to see that winning attitude all season.”

  The locker room remained quiet while we changed clothes. Finally, Patricia glanced at Gretchen. “Did you learn anything at all when you were in the office?”

  “Nothing. So when I went to give Dr. D. her mail I asked if she knew why Coach was being so mean this year. Was he having personal problems or what? Had something happened over the holidays?”

  “That makes sense,” Cedar said. “He was awesome when we did cross-country. He never yelled at Robin or Gwen or Porter when they were P.R.ing at the meets, even when the rest of us didn’t.”

  “I thought he figured girls weren’t as athletic or competitive as guys,” I said. “Some people believe in stereotypes.”

  “Not Coach,” Cedar said. “He’s never acted like this before.”

  “Since Dr. D. and Principal Gallagher showed up today, it justifies my theory,” Gretchen said. “Do you want to hear it?”

  “Yeah.” Olivia waved for silence so everyone could hear the blonde’s soft voice. “Tell us.”

  “I think Principal Gallagher has been tel
ling Coach Norris how to run the team,” Gretchen said. “That would totally tick him off. He’s accustomed to being in charge. He’s not this season.”

  “What?” My voice felt as if it froze in my throat. “Why would the principal do that?”

  “He loves sports and winning,” Olivia told me. “He gave you an athletic scholarship right before winter break, didn’t he?”

  I nodded. “My grandfather told the principal how good I am on the court.”

  “He already knew. All he had to do was read the sports sections of the local paper if he didn’t listen to us talk. You didn’t even try out, did you, Sierra?” Olivia didn’t wait for me to answer. She heaved a sigh. “Okay, it’s brainstorm time. We have to figure out a way for Coach to save face. Everybody start thinking. I want suggestions tomorrow afternoon. Great job, Gretchen.”

  “I’ll say,” Patricia agreed. “You’re officially in charge of the psychological bandages for this squad. Sierra, keep practicing at home until we come up with a strategy to deal with Coach’s issues. Don’t you dare quit on us. We need you.”

  “How did you know - - -?” I stopped, unable to finish my question. I had been thinking about walking away, but I loved basketball and I liked the girls on this team. They were the best players I’d ever joined on the court. “I didn’t say I’d go.”

  “If I was in your shoes, that’s what I’d think about doing too. Just remember that Coach is right. Winners never quit and quitters never win.”

  “You got it.” I picked up my bags and left with everyone else.

  It had become a habit to go to the Burger Palace on Tuesdays between practice and the at-risk group. As soon as I arrived at the restaurant, I had a seat in my favorite booth and the waitress gave me a menu. Tom brought me a glass of ice water and asked if I wanted my usual chicken fettuccini. When I said I did, he headed off to bring me a salad.

  “You look like you had a better day today,” Tom told me when he returned. “Am I right or wrong?”

  “My new team is growing on me,” I said. “Coach is still on my back, but the squad likes me.”

  “They should. They make you a better player and you make them better too. That’s what is supposed to happen when you have a good coach who promotes sports as a way to teach life lessons.”

  Wow, totally different idea there. I hadn’t even thought about it. Tom was right. Kanisha had improved and so had Cedar. Gretchen could shoot a three-pointer now. Patricia didn’t depend on me to do all the scoring. Everyone on the squad shot baskets. Okay, so maybe Coach had a point. There really wasn’t an “i” in team.

  When Tom refilled my ice water, he said, “Autumn told me that your birthday is coming up. Do you know what you want?”

  “A pink softball and bat that matches my basketball.” I wouldn’t ask for what I really wanted, a trip to the Spring Fling to see the horse extravaganza. He couldn’t afford it and what was the point in hurting a nice guy? None! Instead, I went on, “It’ll go with my new Saint Sierra attitude of allowing people who are a waste of time, space and oxygen to exist. Maybe, I can get No, No Veda to wear a pink bridle.”

  “Good luck with that. I think he’s too macho for it.” Tom stepped back, still holding the water pitcher. “Are you giving me a ride to group tonight?”

  “You know it.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Marysville, Washington

  Wednesday, January 29th, 3:00 pm

  The past week had flown. Last Thursday, we stomped the Snohomish team. Aspen Watson had shown up at the game with some of the same girls and a few new ones. They’d sat on our competitor’s side of the gym and watched us play. I’d used most of Coach’s strategies, passing the ball to the rest of the squad and didn’t do what he called my “hero” routine until the last four minutes of the game.

  He left me in so we won by a wide margin, but he wasn’t happy. I knew that and I didn’t complain when he made me run lines the entire practice on Friday. The other girls didn’t join me this time. Gretchen had suggested we try the “choose up sides” strategy on him. They would play whatever game he wanted and let him use me as the scapegoat. Fighting him on the point hadn’t worked. Maybe, joining him would.

  The act didn’t bother me that much since they discussed it with me in the locker room before we came onto the court. I had to wonder if he knew how much talking we did in there. If he’d been as spiteful as one of my stepdads, Coach would have groomed up a spy. He wasn’t and he didn’t.

  Friday afternoon was obedience class and Charlie wowed everyone by coming when I called him both on and off leash. Aspen had asked how I taught him that and I told her the same way I’d taught it to Nevada. I hated chasing my horse and I wasn’t going to run after Charlie. Carrots brought my horse to the pasture gate. Bits of homemade chicken jerky did the same for my puppy. Aspen eyed me suspiciously when I said that.

  I explained my mom’s fiancé had issues with store-bought doggie goodies so he taught me how to make my own. Aspen actually high-fived me and told me I was the best new puppy owner she’d met. She usually had to lecture people forever on the subject before they recognized the perils of highly-processed treats. I didn’t tell her I grew up reading labels on feed sacks and I wasn’t feeding chemicals to my dog. If I couldn’t say one of the ingredients, he didn’t get the product.

  On Saturday, it was Community Theater back in Stewart Falls. Mr. Haller and the other teacher took turns assigning the parts. I was part of the supporting cast like I wanted. Patricia was too and she was also the understudy for the lead. We had both signed up to do costumes during our talk with Mr. Haller. When Ms. Incredible heard that she would be Victoria, she turned white, then green, then burst into tears.

  I pulled a package of tissues out of my pocket and went over to her. “Sop it up, will you? Otherwise, they’ll think Patricia and I are morons.”

  “What?” More tears streamed down. “I don’t get it.”

  “You’re the best. I’ll have to work to catch up with you. Patricia will too, so we told Mr. Haller that.”

  “What?” She lowered the wad of tissues, but she still looked shocked.

  “Come on.” Patricia joined us. “I may be blonde, but I’m not stupid. You’re better than us, but if you were here next year, we’d kick your rear and be the stars. This time, it’s you.”

  “No way. You didn’t do that.”

  “Yes, they did. Your teacher and I already wanted you, but I thought I might need to finesse it with my students.” Mr. Haller smiled at the three of us. “Instead, the girls informed me last week that I should choose the best singer for the part regardless of what school she attended. I’m extremely proud of them. They’ve set a high standard for our Community Theater participants to follow. The show comes first.”

  “Can we move on, Ms. Incredible?” I demanded. “We want to hear the names of the rest of the leads. Who is King Marchand?”

  “Why are you calling me that?” She looked at us from beautifully drenched dark eyes. “My name is Madison.”

  “Your voice, Ms. Incredible.” I was growing impatient with her, but I still worked on my Saint Sierra act. I wouldn’t tell her she was annoying. But, come on. When I bawled, I looked like a cross between Rudolf and a demon with my red eyes and runny nose. She was just as gorgeous as she’d been before she lost it. There should be a law, or at least a rule that brunettes weren’t allowed to cry in front of an audience.

  I hadn’t changed my mind on that during practice this Wednesday afternoon. We did all our usual drills and moved onto scrimmages. Coach Norris continued to sub in players and I kept missing all the shots whenever I was on the court. Finally, he blew his whistle and waved for the five of us to come over to him.

  “Are you going to do this the entire time, Sierra?”

  “Do what, Coach?” I widened my eyes and did my best innocent princess look. “I’m not doing nothing, sir.”

  “That’s the problem. You keep air-balling and expecting everyone else to pick up
the slack.” He frowned at me, then the rest of the squad. “You’re not going to hit the basket today, are you?”

  “No, sir. Not unless you tell me that I can, sir.”

  “What?”

  I held the ball and met his gaze. “Sir, if you tell me that it’s okay for me to really play with these girls, I will, sir. Otherwise, sir, I’ll wait until tomorrow’s game with Pine Ridge, sir. And then, sir, I’ll clobber our competition, sir.”

  He held up his hand to stop me. “And if I don’t tell you that I want you to take practice seriously, you’ll continue to hold back, won’t you?”

  “I’m just trying to please you, sir. What do you want me to do, sir?”

  “Are you going to think about the game today?”

  “I am, sir. It’s not easy to miss this much, sir. Do you really want me to change it up, sir?”

  He grabbed the ball from me, passed it to Olivia. “Run lines, Sierra. The rest of you get back on the court. Sub in, Zoey.”

  I shrugged and jogged off to run lines at the far end of the gym. I didn’t bother to hustle or try hard. What was the point? There wasn’t one. Nothing I did pleased the guy. Whether it was chauvinism or a contest with the principal, Coach Norris had issues. They weren’t mine and tomorrow, I intended to do my part to see we won the game up in Pine Ridge.

  * * * *

  Marysville, Washington

  Thursday, January 30th, 3:00 pm

  Coach Norris and Coach Evans stood by the bus while we boarded for the trip to the other school. Coach Evans grinned at me. “Hey, Sierra. How’s it going? Have you beaten my record yet?”

  “No. It’s tough.” I stopped and grinned back at him. “The best I’ve done is eight when I talked to my grandfather on the phone last Sunday. I had to stop when he asked me if I was mad at him for a reason because I’ve never done it with him before. I only got to two with my mom’s fiancé. He told me that if I ever did it again, I’d be cleaning my barn with a teaspoon for a week.”