Starting Over

by Sheri S. Levy

  Mrs. Brown inserted the bit, and then pulled the bridle over Chancy’s head. I hauled her heavy English saddle up the mounting block. It hung to my knees. I climbed up one step at a time, pulling the saddle with me. On the top step, I used all my strength and heaved it over Chancy’s back. She remained still. “What a good girl! We’re almost ready.”

  I stepped down to the ground and reached under her stomach for the girth. Once I had hold, I pulled the two straps through the buckles, yanking hard. After they were clasped, my silly horse always let her air out, loosening the buckles.

  Mrs. Brown ran her hand under the girth. “Not snug enough. Try again.”

  Once more I tugged each strap.

  “That’s better.” She smiled.

  Standing again on the mounting block, I placed my left leg in the stirrup, and swung my right leg over the saddle. Sitting straight, neck stretching tall, legs hanging loosely, my smile grew to a silly grin and spread, showing every tooth all the way back to my molars.

  After Mrs. Brown readjusted the stirrups, I slid my feet into them and pressed my heels into Chancy’s side. Her right ear pointed forward like an antenna. I rocked back and forth with her walking gait, careful to keep my hands still and at waist level.

  Mrs. B stood at the fence. “I want you to ride close to the fence line. Look straight ahead. That’s it. Trot for a while, and then go down the diagonal.” She walked away, but continued talking. “Have fun. I’ll listen for a call. When you’re tired, Ashley will help you untack.”

  “Thanks, Mrs. Brown. This is wonderful. I could stay out here forever.”

  After fifteen minutes, my legs bounced away from Chancy’s side. My back slumped and my hands were uneven. I pulled back on the reins. “I’ve got to do better than this.”

  I pressed my bottom into the saddle, getting a tighter seat, caught my breath, and rearranged my feet. “Let’s try again.”

  Ashley sat on the fence, grinning and giving me the thumbs-up.

  I only lasted another ten minutes before Chancy and I plodded to the barn. I brushed her using slow, circular strokes with her curry comb, loosening dirt and sweat. That helped her shed during the summer months. Before I had curried her right side, the old-style phone rang from a wooden ledge in the middle of the barn. My breath caught, and I dashed to answer before another ring.

  The call was for Mrs. B, who never bothered with her cell phone, and I wrote down the message. Returning to Chancy light-hearted, I walked her into the stall. I returned with grain for her purple bucket. As she nuzzled it in circles, I tore off a four-inch chunk of hay from the square bale in the feed room, and placed it into her rack.

  “Here’s a flake of hay to nibble when you’re finished playing in your food, silly girl.”

  She nibbled, ignoring the loud diesel truck chugging up the gravel road. The noise interrupted my thoughts. I expected voices, but heard nothing except the truck grumbling away.

  I finished brushing Chancy’s mane. My pulse slowed, and once again, my mind pictured me racing over jumps and winning ribbons. I stroked her bulging side, letting my hand slide across her shiny satin coat. I longed for more time. “I have to get home, pretty girl. See you tonight.”

  Boots clicked inside the barn across the cement floor and stopped outside the stall where I worked. Chancy’s head shifted to the door, and I looked up.

  Morgan glared at me for an instant through the stall door, and then she snapped her head around and marched to Knight’s stall. She never said one word to him. Likewise, he didn’t snort or whinny as she arrived.

  Before leaving, I peeked in Knight’s stall with a big welcoming smile. “Hey, I’m Trina. Welcome to our barn.’”

  She lifted her chin, curled her lip, and growled. “Barn? Ugh! You mean ‘shed’ Are you the grunt that works here?”

  All the blood rushed to my face. I balled my fists. I stiffened and stared at her. In my mind, lots of thoughts spilled out. You have a lot of nerve. Who are you to bash our barn?

  But what came out was, “Excuse me?”

  Her evil eyes bored through me. “Well, what I should have said is, my stall’s not clean, and I’m ready to ride.”

  I stood face to face with her. The anger inside of me was so new. My words surprised me as I let them fly. “There’s the pick, and there’s the wheelbarrow. I’m finished for the day. And, you’re on your own.”

  Chapter 5

  I clenched my fists and ran, keeping all the boiling fury inside. My head shook, and I growled out loud. “How can anyone be so mean? She has her own horse and can ride every day.”

  Proud that I had gotten a word in, I stomped my way home. Before I stepped into the house, I calmed myself by breathing slower, wiped the fugitive tears from my cheeks, and changed my mind. I needed to see Sarah. Not Dad. I’d interrupted him too many times, and he’d say the same thing. “Give it time. She’s new.”

  Rushing up to my bedroom, I waited for Colton to wake, and tried to relax by sketching my own nesting loggerhead turtle. Each stroke of the pencil brought warm memories of Chase’s drawing in our Edisto beach house. Colt whimpered, and I rushed downstairs to carry him outside. While he wandered and played, I called Sarah, instead of texting. That was our code for urgent.

  On the third ring, Sarah answered. “What’s up?”

  “Meet me on the road. Colt needs a walk, and I’ll fill you in on Morgan.”

  Living in the country, our houses were a good distance apart. Ten neighbors had barns with pasture land and other neighbors had acres of wild grass. I lived on eight acres covered in hardwoods and pine trees with a small manicured grassy area around the house. Sarah and I rode our bikes, roller-bladed, or used our scooters to travel back and forth to each other’s houses.

  Colt saw me lift the leash off the hook and hid behind his crate. “Walk?” I held the treat in front of his nose, giving him the option to choose. I wanted to hurry him but knew I’d cause him to react, and I’d lose ground. I closed my eyes, inhaled, and let my frustration out as a slow breeze. “Come on, Colt. Walk.”

  He leaned his head, keeping his eyes on me. After several puppy steps, he stood in front of me. I clicked the clicker and fed him a cookie before I attached his leash to his harness. “Good boy. Walk.”

  He took one step, waited and then took another. The longer we walked, the more he relaxed and jogged along.

  “That-a-boy.”

  Sarah buzzed toward us on her electric scooter. I smiled and my shoulders relaxed for a moment. I couldn’t wait to share my awful experience. And then Colton’s body slouched. He squinted and froze. I said, “Sit.” When he glanced calmly at the scooter heading toward us, I clicked, and gave him a treat. But Sarah came closer. Colt hid behind me and peeked through my legs, safely curious about the motor’s roar.

  “Sarah, you may want to leave the scooter. We’ll have another practice session, later.”

  When Sarah set her scooter on the side of the road, he darted toward her.

  She bent face to face with him, “Hi, Colt. It’s me.”

  His tail swung as she petted his back and spoke in baby tones. When she looked at me, she took a step backward. “Ooo. Something’s got to be bad when your eyes turn olive green. All right. I’m all ears. Tell.”

  With my arms crossed, I huffed out all my air in one big breath. “I just met that awful girl boarding with Mrs. Brown.” I paused to breathe and started again. “She’s horrible. She insulted me, and I never want to be at the barn with her. Never, ever again!”

  Sarah’s mouth gaped open. “What’d she say?”

  I told Sarah everything, including how I told Morgan off and raced home. “Poor Mrs. Brown. I know she needs another boarder, but that girl can’t stay.” I hiked my shoulders to my neck and tensed every part of my body until I shuddered. “She just can’t.”

  Sarah hadn’t made a sound. Squinting her
eyes, she pointed. “To the barn. I want to meet this girl.”

  “I don’t know, Sarah. Maybe we should wait until Mrs. Brown has a chance with her.”

  “Nah. Let’s go. I’ll protect you.”

  At the barn, we walked past Morgan jumping Knight in the ring. Inside, Mrs. Brown swept the barn floor. “Hey, girls. Trina, did you have a good ride?”

  Colt stood next to me, checking out the barn. “Kind of. I’ve got a lot to work on, and then I met the grumpy Ms. Princess.”

  Mrs. Brown’s eyes challenged me. “I spoke to Morgan when she arrived. She seemed to be in a good mood before I disappeared to the paddocks. When I returned, you were leaving in a huff.”

  “Ah. She must have known you were gone.” I stood nose to nose with Mrs. B and smiled. “She’s sneaky. She called this barn ‘a dump’ and me ‘a grunt.’ She expected me to have her horse ready to ride. Mrs. B, she’s a real pain.”

  “Well. I’ll have none of that going on in my barn.” Mrs. Brown put her hands on her hips. “We’ll have a little discussion on the rules before she rides again. And if she doesn’t like the way our barn’s run, she’ll have to find another place to board.”

  Sarah, being almost a head taller than me, plopped her arm over my shoulder. “See? Mrs. B may be small, but she’s a power to be reckoned with. I knew she wouldn’t let Morgan act that way.”

  All the tension left my body. “Whew! Knight’s such a nice horse. I feel sorry for him. He doesn’t seem to be the problem. I wonder why she’s so angry.”

  Mrs. Brown clasped both of my hands. “Hang in there. I know you well enough, and I bet it won’t take long for you to figure out why she’s so irritating.”

  Sarah chuckled. “I have an idea. How about using your training methods on her? Maybe she needs some positive reinforcement.”

  “That’s hilarious, Sarah.” I laughed, which let some of my anger escape. “But—but your idea might work. “I glanced around the barn, thinking. “I’d have to figure out her problem, first.” Then I caught Mrs. Brown staring at me. “Mrs. B, I did clean her stall before she came this morning.”

  “I know you did, honey.” Mrs. Brown squatted to look at Colton. “Can I pick him up?”

  “Certainly.” I grinned. “But, be careful. His sharp baby teeth really hurt.”

  She cooed to Colt, and nosed him. “You’re just gorgeous.” She glanced up with a frown. “Trina, promise me you’ll be careful with him around the horses. It just takes one kick and he’ll be hurt.”

  Nodding, I locked eyes with her. “I know. I’d never let him loose in here.”

  “And Sarah,” Mrs. Brown turned and grinned. “When are you coming to ride?”

  She snickered. “You know I like my feet on the ground.”

  Mrs. Brown set Colt down and smiled at Sarah. “Maybe one day, I’ll get you on a horse.”

  Sarah slapped her leg and giggled. “Yeah. And maybe one day I’ll fly.”

  Then we all froze as Morgan’s voice rang through the barn. She was yelling awful things at Knight. Words I’d never say out loud.

  Mrs. Brown ran outside. We followed. We saw Morgan jerk Knight’s harness and her crop flew high in the air, ready to come down on his rear.

  Rushing into the stadium, Mrs. B. stood between Knight and Morgan. “Back up, young lady. Now! You will not treat your horse that way on my property.”

  She screamed at Mrs. Brown.

  Before more insults rolled out, Mrs. Brown grabbed Knight’s reins and pointed. “Go to the barn. I’m in charge of Knight right now. Get yourself under control.”

  Sarah and I clamped our mouths shut.

  Morgan stormed to the barn, kicking at the dirt and sending sandy dust clouds into the air.

  Mrs. Brown looked at us. “It might be better if you leave. Don’t you worry. Things will work out.”

  “Ok,” we said in unison.

  I added, “See you tomorrow, Mrs. B.” I looked at Sarah. “Let’s go to my house and do something.”

  “Yeah. I’m ready for air conditioning.”

  The rest of the afternoon, we went in and out with Colton. Sarah and I attempted to play a computer game, but every time Colt seemed restless, I rushed him outside.

  Sarah moaned. “We’ll never finish this game, and I have to leave in a few minutes.”

  “Well, Sarah. This is what you do with a puppy. He’ll be easier in a few more weeks.”

  She shrugged. “Not to change the subject, but I’ve been thinking about your offer.”

  My eyebrows raised. “Which offer?”

  Sarah gave me a hesitant smile. “Whenever you have time.” She paused and stared off.

  “Sarah.” I waved my hand in front of her face. “Come on. Spit it out.”

  “I—I want you to teach me to swim before I go to soccer camp.”

  “Really?”

  She nodded, twisting her hands together.

  My arm shot up like Clemson had made a touchdown. “Yay! Thursday’s good. Right after Colton’s trainer leaves. That’ll give us the next two weeks before you go. You’ll be a swimming pro in no time.”

  Chapter 6

  Wednesday morning, Colton showed a new kind of energy. We sprinted through the backyard until I collapsed against a tree trunk, but he kept going. As I threw three miniature tennis balls from the shade, Colt chased them and chewed on each one, but he wouldn’t bring any back. He fixed his eager gaze on me and woofed. His pointy tail whipped back and forth as he bowed.

  Since I had to teach him not to bark, I trailed behind him retrieving balls and tossing them before he made his demand. Like a panther, he zoomed through the grass, never slowing down. The fiery-yellow sun made me sticky, wet, and thirsty, but I laughed at his antics until I cried, “Enough! Time to go in and rest.”

  Throughout the day, I followed the same schedule with Colton: potty, feed, exercise, and rest. When he collapsed for a long nap, I followed his cue. A young puppy took more energy than I’d ever expected.

  On Thursday, I had no time for the barn. I wanted Colt to be exercised and have a short nap before our first session with the volunteer trainer. Wide awake now, he made shrill yips, and pranced back and forth in front of the dining room window. A car pulled into the driveway.

  I lifted him close to my chest and opened the front door. Ms. Sue caressed Colton, and spoke to him before we moved to the couch. I settled him next to my feet with a frozen chew bone filled with cheese.

  She opened her laptop and explained about the reports. “Ms. Jennifer told me you’ve already trained one dog, so this is probably familiar.”

  I glanced at her screen. “Yep. I used those forms for Sydney. The only thing that’s different is that Sydney came to me when he was six months old, and he already knew a lot of commands. Even though I’ve earned my handling privileges, I would appreciate it if you could give me some tips on how to teach Colt his first commands. When I started training to be a puppy raiser, I worked with four and five month old puppies, and they already had the first commands down, too.”

  “Yes, we’ll get to that today. At the kennel, Colton seemed to have a mind of his own.” Ms. Sue chuckled. “I’m hoping it’s because he’s young. We’ll know as he progresses. But you did such a good job with Sydney, I expect you’ll be able to handle a willful pup.”

  My pulse raced, and I straightened. “Oh, that makes me feel better. I can’t wait. What’re we doing today?”

  “First, let me ask you some questions about his toilet training, crating, walking on leash, etc. Once I can check off his skills as of this date, we’ll start some new training. He’s still very young, so we’ll go slowly.”

  After I shared our routine, Ms. Sue asked me to dress Colton in his harness. I struggled to buckle the clasp on his purple harness he’d worn since he arrived. “Oh my. I’ve loosened it as far as I can. It was a
bit tight yesterday.” Throwing back my shoulders, I smiled. “It doesn’t fit anymore.”

  Ms. Sue grinned and pulled a new cape style from her bag. “Here. Try this one on. Our seamstress, Ms. Adrianna, makes all sizes for growing boys.”

  This cape had purple material in a triangular shape like a scarf bound by purple cording, and room for the letters PAALS across the top. Colton looked over his shoulder and back to me with an expression of surprise, and then tried to shake it off. “Wow! Look at you!” He seemed pleased with my attention and stopped shaking. We strolled to the laundry room and I gave the command, “Crate.” I threw a cookie inside, Colt jogged in, and came out licking his lips.

  Ms. Sue’s eyes narrowed as she smiled. “That’s super, Trina. Show me how he does with a leash?”

  “We’re working on it. It’s not his favorite thing.” I grabbed the leash and held it in front of me. “Colt, leash.”

  He hid inside his crate and peeked out. I held another cookie to him. He looked from the cookie to the leash and took a minute to decide. Then he slinked out and stood in front of me. I clicked and hooked his leash.

  “Great! I like the way you only said the command one time, and waited patiently for him to comprehend your command. It’s good you’re already using the clicker, too. Okay, now show me how he walks outside on the leash. Will he Do Business on leash?”

  “No. He doesn’t go on command yet, only by accident while we’re walking around the yard. I always say, ‘Do Business,’ when he does. I click with a perky ‘Yes,’ and give him a treat.”

  “You’re doing all the right things. He’s only nine weeks old, right?”

  I nodded.

  Ms. Sue scooted forward on the couch. “He has a few weeks to go before he can control his body. Everything he does needs to be fun. We don’t want him to get confused or frustrated. That’d slow the process. Today I’ll show you how to get him to Sit, and later do Wait and Down. I want you to groom him every day. Brush his teeth with the rubber finger pad and touch every part of his body. And here is a CD of noises. Put it on when he is playing in his room. He must get used to every sound possible. Don’t hesitate to startle him.”