Letting Go

Kali watched the rest of the day while Eddie, explained how to brush, saddle, and bridle Molly, the pony. Each of them had a turn riding Molly while the others were free to visit the other horses and feed them treats. Kali helped Nate keep them in the barn and out of the horse’s stalls. Eddie was teaching how to ride. They had been talking the whole time and Kali couldn’t keep her eyes off the cowboys blue eyes and kind smile. She had told him about her summer job working at the music store. And he told her about teaching little kids to ride and his duties on the ranch.

“Oh no honey, honey, we don’t go in the horses stalls.” Kali picked up the little girl as she rushed out of the stall.

“Have you ever ridden a horse before?” Nate asked as absently as he watched over the children.

“No actually, I am horribly scared of them, just a bad experience in the past.” She answered.

“Well that’s no good, what happened?” He asked.

“Ummm… I was about 7 and my mom brought us to a barn because my sister loved horses. The manager gave me this really mean looking one. I told him I was scared and he said that the horse he gave me was harmless and to look at my sister already riding. I didn’t want to be left out or be made fun of as the chicken so I got on and as soon as I got on his back he bolted off with me. He wouldn’t stop and he started bucking, I fell off and broke my wrist.” She said quietly.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, that manager must have not known anything… If you want, I can show you that not all horses are like that… I mean that would mean spending more time with a weird cowboy, but I promise, I wont give you a half crazed horse.”

“Oh thanks but…” He cut her off.

“But what, you have your whole summer right? Just tell me when your off from you job and I’ll tell you if I have time.” He said confidently.

“Umm… Alright, but you have to promise me that you wont make me do anything I don’t want to.”

“Alright, I promise.” Nate said. He moved to shake her hand

With a sigh Kali took his hand and felt a surge of energy when she did so. She only had a part time job so she told him when she was off, which was just wonderful that he had time those days. She would be seeing him tomorrow, at the same time. She smiled at him and went back to looking after the kids until each one of them had a ride. When it was over she said her goodbyes to the little children, Eddie, and Mr. Reynolds.

“Well I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, then.” She said to Nathan.

“Yeah tomorrow at 2, right? I hope you don’t stand me up?” He said a shy smile on his face.

“And if I do?”

“I will be very upset and track you down, bring you back here and put you on the meanest horse I own.” He smiled.

“Ok that gives me a good reason to come tomorrow.” She smiled back at him.

“I’ll see you then.”

They exchanged their goodbyes and she went back to her car. When she sat down she let out and exaggerated sigh and smiled despite herself. How had she managed to get a horse riding lesson with this amazing looking guy? How had she managed to make friends with those kids so easily? How had she managed to get herself into this mess, she was horrified of horses. But then again, he did promise that he wouldn’t make her do anything that she didn’t want to. She hoped he really was as sincere as he seemed, she really liked him.
~~~~

Later that night she woke up with a start, she had been having these dreams for a long time now… ever since he father… and Mark… it was always the same dream and it always scared her. Basically it was just bad memories. She caught her breath and lay back down. Butters somehow sensed her distress and hopped onto the bed with her, he snuggled up to her. She was somewhat soothed by this action and closed her eyes. She fell asleep a while later and wasn’t troubled by anything in her sleep.

~~~~~

A loud knock at her door cause Kali to wake. She looked at the clock and realized that she must have slept in because it was almost 11. Kali got from her bed and walked to the front door, she opened it to find her next door neighbor standing there, looking cheery and energetic. She had met Kelly the first day she was there. Kelly had acted like a friend the second she met Kali. Kali had even been to her apartment for movie one of those nights. For some reason she felt at ease with Kelly, she really was a nice person.

“Do you have any coffee?” Kelly asked.

“I think the last thing you need right now is caffeine.” Kali laughed.

“Well look at you, you just woke up and so did I, even though I am always bubbly like this when I first wake up, I need the caffeine for later.” She said, laughing as well.

“Fine, fine.” Kali smiled and went into her kitchen to get Kelly coffee.

“Thanks, I promise to repay you back.” Said Kelly.

“I have no doubt you will.” Kali replied.

They chatted a little after that, Kelly had made it a point to be very helpful for Kali in this new ‘foreign’ place, as Kelly called it. Kali looked at the time and realized she needed to shower and eat before she had to go so apologizing to Kelly; she ended their talk and basically jumped into the shower. After she ate a brunch, she realized that it was almost 1:30 and she was going to be late.

~~~~~~

She was late, after all, big surprise. She pulled up to the barn at 1:15 and hurried out of the car.

“I’m sooooo sorry!” she said apologetically to Nate who was standing by the ring watching some small kid ride.

“Hey, I’m glad you decided to show up. I didn’t need to track you don’t after all.” He smiled.

“I’m so sorry.” She said again. “I really didn’t mean to be late; I just got caught up talking with my neighbor…”

“Hey it’s ok, at least you’re here.” He said.

“Thanks.” She said with a sigh.

“Ok so are you ready to get over your fear of horses?” he said.

“I’m not really sure.” She replied.

“Well don’t worry, I’ll show you and I’m sure you will be ok.” He said.

At that moment she was never so sure that she was going to be ok in her life. I mean looking into those gentle blue eyes, how could she?