Diclaimer- I do not own The Outsiders
Dallas hobbled into the barn. It was a Tuesday. He figured it would be practically empty. He needed to clear his head. As long as he could remember riding was the best way to do it, even if Bullet reminded him of his mother.
But to Dallas's surprise the barn wasn't empty. In the tack room was none other then James, the preacher. He was clad in blue-jeans, a flannel shirt and blue-jeans jacket. His hair was messy and out of place. It was a bit of a shock.
At the sound of Dallas's footsteps James turned around. He blanched. "Oh, um Dallas right?"
"Last time I checked. I could be wrong though."
James chuckled. "Here for a ride?"
"Well I'm not here to watch the grass grow. What about you? I didn't know preachers rode." It was meant mockingly and James knew it. He laughed.
"Sure do. Can't get enough." He went into the stables. Dallas followed him, carrying his own saddle. Bullet's stall was right across from James's horse. Dallas looked at James as he saddled up. His horse was grey with black markings and white hair.
"His name is Hardtack." James said as if he noticed Dallas looking at him. "He's seven years old and as tame as a lamb."
Dallas ignored him and led Bullet out of the stall. He patted his head. Bullet nuzzled him. "You ready for a ride boy?" Bullet neighed in reply. Then Dallas hopped on him, with some difficulty because of his bum leg. Then he was off. James wasn't far behind. He had gone from shy around Dallas to suddenly interested.
"You ride like your mom." he said.
"Not saying much. It isn't like there are a hundred ways to trot."
James laughed. "No I mean the way you are with Bullet. Your mom used to do the same thing no matter what horse she was on. Always used to say the horse should have as much say as the rider." Suddenly a memory came to Dallas.
Flashback
"Are you ready Bullet?" Annie asked her horse giving him a pat on the head lovingly. He neighed happily.
A four year old Dallas laughed. "Mommy?"
"Yes Dally?"
'How come you ask Bullet that?"
Annie grinned and picked her son up placing him on Bullet's back. She hoped on behind him.
"You wouldn't want somebody riding you with out asking would you?"
"No." Dallas replied thoughtfully.
"Well honey, horses have feelings too. They should have as much say as the rider. Don't you think so?"
"I guess so."
"How about you ask this time?"
"Okay," Dallas replied, "Bullet do you want to go for a ride?" The horse neighed in reply and they were off. A four year old's laughter filled the air.
End Flashback
"Yeha." Dallas replied bitterly. "I remember."
"She was quite a woman."
Dallas gave no answer said nothing, just headed off in a canter. James followed not far behind. He said nothing for awhile. And then "Do you like birds?"
"What?"
"I run a rehabilitation clinic for wild animals. I thought you might like to check it out."
"And why on earth would you think that?" Dallas asked coolly.
'I don't know. I just figured being Annie's boy and all……." Something clicked in Dallas at the mention of his mother. He hated thinking about her. It was painful, like thinking of Johnny was painful. Still he was curious.
"Yeha okay, I'll check this place out."
XXXXXXXXX
The clinic was really just a house and a medium sized barn. There was a large coral but it was too cold to keep the animals outside for too long. Dallas walked Bullet into the barn behind James and Hardtack, leaning on. He looked around
In the stalls there were a few horses, a couple of dear and a cow. There were some bird cages and a larger cage with a skunk in it. One of the cages caught his eye. There was large bird of prey in it. Its wing was splintered and bandaged.
"That's Mica. She's a golden eagle. I found her with her wing broken a couple of days ago, poor thing. She'd have died if I didn't bring her here."
Dallas looked at the thing in awe. That was one tuff looking bird. Even he wasn't afraid to admit that. "They're amazing to see in the wild."
"Mmmm." Dallas replied looking closer at the bird.
"Yeha, Mica had that effect on me too."
Dallas straightened leaned back onto the wall. "Your leg hurt?"
'Huh?"
'Does your leg hurt? I have some stuff that might help."
"I don't need anybody's help."
"Okay, I'm not offering help; I'm offering something for that leg of yours. it would be a shame if you couldn't ride anymore."
"Fine."
"Good, I'll be right back. Don't put your hands near the cage. Mica bites."
"Yeha, whatever." James walked off. As soon as he did Dallas put his hand near the cage. Mica pecked at his index finger.
"Crap!" Dallas sucked on his finger. "Stupid bird."