Summer Adventures

Chapter 25

Barrel Racing

XXX

"Ponyboy, the owners of Clementine are coming today to pick her up," Mrs. Nixon said as we were finishing breakfast. Alex was getting ready to go to camp, and as usual I was cleaning up. "I need her stall mucked out first, then I need her tack readied and set aside in her stall. It's in the supply room... think you can get it out for me this morning?"

"Sure. They not happy or something?" I hadn't seen any of the horse's owners come by yet... but had no valid reason why anyone wouldn't be happy with the care Mrs. Nixon provided for their horses. The stalls are cleaned, fresh feed and clean water checked at least three times a day, they had a large corral and lots of galloping room. What horse wouldn't be happy?

"Oh, no, the owners are happy," she said grinning. "It's just - there's a rodeo over in the next county tomorrow and they enter it every year. We'll all be going too, along with Casper, but only for fun. He'd be great to barrel race in, but I don't have a rider for him. Alex is too young to ride, and I can't leave her in the stands unsupervised for me to participate."

"I'll watch her, if you want to race." I thought that would be fun to watch. I don't know what I'd said wrong, but suddenly Mrs. Nixon smiled and got real red.

"No, that's alright. I'm well past my riding days." She looked at me, and had a very suspicious look in her eyes. "But you aren't. You wanna ride Casper for me, Ponyboy? You're a great rider, and barrel racing isn't that hard."

"Me? Race? You've got to be kidding." I knew how to barrel race, sure. Had I ever competed before? No. Soda was the rider in the family. Competitive rider, I mean; but ever since he tore his leg up, he's not ridden. Then my parents died, money got even tighter, and well... all that fun stuff just fell away into ancient history. History that happened so long ago, it's hard to believe all that ever really happened to us.

"Yes, you! I know you can do it. I've watched the other kids compete for years now, and trust me... you are just as good as they are. Besides, I think you would enjoy it. No pressure though. If you don't want to, you don't have to."

I was gonna say no, but something made me not say anything while I thought about it. "When's the deadline to sign up?" I finally asked.

"Tomorrow morning. Tell you what - after getting Clementine's stuff ready, why don't you go practice and think about it. I'll get the rest of the work done. You've earned a break anyway." She looked at me with a knowing grin on her face.

"Fine, I'll go practice, but that's not a 'yes' that I'll participate."

"Like I said, 'no pressure.'"

However, the look on her face matched my sudden desire to at least try it. I was gonna practice first though. I didn't want to look like a total fool. I finished the dishes and was drying my hands when a familiar noise outside got my attention. Alex and I heard it, Mrs. Nixon had disappeared into the other room and didn't.

"Bye Mommy. Bye, Ponyboy!" Alex screamed as her bus rounded the corner to pull into the driveway. She took off running for the door, Mrs. Nixon bolting after her but was too far behind.

"Hold on, Alex! Don't go running out there!" Mrs. Nixon was trying to catch her, but couldn't. I scrambled ahead, managing to snag her arm just before she and the bus collided.

I held her safely for the two seconds it took Mrs. Nixon to catch us, and as she took Alex from my arms, I noticed she was shaking some.

"Alex, don't you ever do that again! I have told you and told you! You are NOT to run out to the bus!" She was looking at Alex, but I doubt the girl saw the frantic worry she'd just given her mother.

"I'm sorry, mama... I.. I won't do it again." The look on Alex's face told me, however, that she had no idea what it was she had done to scare her mother so badly. Her mother saw it too, but said nothing. She stood, walked her the remaining distance to the bus and watched as she got on board.

"I love you, sweetheart. Have fun," Mrs. Nixon said, trying to smile. Alex waved back, a look of confused happiness in her face. Knowing how Alex was by now... I knew in a matter of minutes she would probably be smiling again and wondering how to further mess up 'mean old Charley's' life for yet another day.

"She'll be fine, " I said to Mrs. Nixon, putting my arm around her middle, still feeling her shaking a little but was calming down better. She put her arm over my shoulders and squeezed back..

"I know," she said, looking at me with a more confident smile. "I know. Come on, lets get to work."

XXX

I had the barrels all set up and was practicing as hard as I could. If Soda were here, he'd make this look easy, but for me it was a bit more work. Still.... I had no pretense thinking I was gonna go there and win anything. Nope... if I did this, it would be for fun and fun only. Casper was obviously having fun, itching to go again and again. I remembered Mrs. Nixon saying something about how Casper hadn't had this much attention since Mr. Nixon left... I got the feeling Casper was his horse.

"Come on, boy... let's go again!" I nudged him forward, and off we went. An hour more, and I was getting nauseous from the constant round and round movements. I set him out for the fence line again, and off he went. He's a strong horse who loves to run. Straight, in circles.. anything, as long as there was motion. I leaned over him, patting his neck as he carried me along. He responded to me well. After another hour of straight riding, I headed back. Casper needed a break, and I needed lunch.

"I was wondering when you were going to come back! Have fun?" Mrs. Nixon asked, looking up from a magazine she was reading.

I nodded, guzzling down a glass of ice water as fast as it reached my lips. "Yes ma'am," I said. I washed up and made myself a corned beef sandwich. Mrs. Nixon had already had one of her own, and must have figured I'd be in eventually. "How long have you had Casper?" I suddenly asked.

She put her magazine down and looked up. "About four years now, I guess. He was five years old when we got him. The previous owners didn't care for him, but I knew with a little love and attention, he'd grow to be a great stallion. He seems happy. What do you think?"

"He seems happy. Not that I know anything about how to read a horses mind, but he sure seems to like to gallop."

She picked up her magazine again. "Yes, he does. He does indeed. Have you thought anymore about riding him tomorrow?"

I ducked my head, not believing what my answer would be. "Sure, go ahead. But I'm not going there with any delusions of grandeur. I'll ride and do my best... but I'm only going for the fun of it."

"That's all I want, Ponyboy. That's all I want. I'll fill out the forms and make the phone call to have you entered tonight. We'll leave in the morning around six, so I'll wake you around five. That sound okay?"

I nodded my head, mouth full of food. Well, at least there would be something different to do tomorrow!

That night, as I lay in bed and started to drift off to sleep, I thought about her words; that with a "little love and attention," she could turn that horse into a great stallion. I vaguely wondered if she would be willing to take in another lost pony, one that was scared to death he was gonna lose what was left of his family, and desperately needed a little love and attention right now in his life.

XXX

I got to watch the sunrise as we made our way across the flat terrain into Jackson County, and then further toward the rodeo grounds. Alex was asleep in the backseat, still clad in pajamas with her day clothes folded next to her. Mrs. Nixon was sipping coffee from a thermos. I had a Pepsi, but wasn't drinking it, still caught up thinking about my uncertain future. As promised, Mrs. Nixon woke me up a little after five. I haven't been up this early since school was in session, and was feeling like a zombie of sorts.

I'd helped get Casper in the horse trailer, made sure his saddle and other tack was in the back of the car, fed and refilled the other horses water troughs and in no time, found myself sitting in the passenger seat, watching the sun come up.

"You know, Ponyboy, having you around this month has really been a blessing for me." Mrs. Nixon said, breaking the silence after the sun had established itself in the sky and the colors had all faded into the morning blandness. "I know you're missing your home, family and friends... but I'm glad you came. I hope, one day, when you are older... you'll look back on this summer and be happy you came, too. At least it's different than the wild ways of Tulsa." She gave me a soft smile.

I nodded. "I do miss them, badly, but this hasn't been bad either. I'm glad that if I did have to be taken out from home.. that I … uh, I ended up with you." I thought about all the alternative places I could have ended up, and shuddered. "Have you ever been there? Tulsa, I mean."

She nodded. "Oh yeah, I've been there. I was maybe twenty or so, and was on my own adventure. I was a rebellious kid, my parents being very strict. I wasn't allowed anywhere, with anyone. They didn't trust me any further than they could throw me, and I hated it. I wanted out so bad.... just if for no other reason than to spite them. So, after I finished school and went to trade school for a while, my parents got on my case about how unladylike I was becoming. See, women were expected to just become wives and then mothers back in those days. Even now, it isn't much better, but we're coming along. Anyway, I got in my car and took off. I spent a few days in Oklahoma City, then some in Tulsa. I meandered around Springfield, Missouri, for a bit too. Then, I got a call that sent be back home."

"What call was that?" I asked.

"My father had died. Heart attack, real sudden. Mom never let up on me though, said it was my fault. That I had broken his heart. I never forgot how she told me, the bitterness in her voice. She blamed me right up until her own death, five years ago. By then, of course, I had my own life to tend to. Married already for four years to Douglass, Alex was just barely two years old, and Douglass and I weren't exactly rich." She turned to look at me, staring at her, listening intently.

"Oh listen to me! Boring you with my sappy past. I'm sorry, Ponyboy. I shouldn't be unloading on you like this! But anyway, yes.... I've been to Tulsa. It was a busy place, full of industry if I remember correctly. What's it like now?"

I thought of it, trying to see it as someone from the outside would see it. "It's still filled with industry. A lot of physical labor type work. I dunno."

I couldn't describe it. To me, it was still a place where the 'haves' still had and the 'have-nots' still struggled. And usually, it was the 'have-nots' like Darry that made the 'haves' lives better. I didn't want to live like that when I was older. For now, though, I just wanted to live with my brothers in our tired side of town with our dirty streets and overgrown yards. And if I couldn't live there.... then..... where would I go?

I was quiet too long, biting my hang nails while thinking about it. She glanced over at me, and I lifted my head to look at her a moment.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing," I said quickly. I looked away, turning my attention to the flat open scenery pass outside my window. A little while later, she spoke again.

"We're here."

She pulled up by a building and got out. I went to check on Casper while she got Alex dressed. He was standing in the carrier, looking eager to get out. I fed him a carrot from out of the truck and patted his neck. I had to wait for Mrs. Nixon to unload him, though.

"I'm going to go register, Ponyboy. Can you stay here with Alex for me?"

"Sure, Mrs. Nixon. I'll watch her." I called back. I washed my hands at a sink by the barn and went to the car, where Alex had one of her dolls with her in the back seat. She was dressed in a pair of jeans and a light pink cowgirl shirt with fringe on the back. On the floorboard were a small pair of cowboy boots for her to wear. Right now, though, she looked like a tired kid who had been woken from a nap way too early, with a blank expression on her face.

"Morning, Alex," I softly called to her. She came over, reached through the window and literally crawled into my arms to lay her head on my shoulder. She didn't say a word. "Are you still asleep?" I asked soothingly.

I felt her small head nod against me, her hair tickling my face.

"Want me to do your hair?"

Again, another nod. I took her to the hood of the car and sat her on it, then got the hairbrush and her ponytail holders from the bag on the floorboard. She sat still, letting me brush out her hair. Trying to recall certain hand maneuvers from the recesses of my memories, I french braided her hair like my Mom did hers so long ago, when her hair was longer. When I was done, it wasn't perfect, but it would do. She was more awake, and smiling by the time her mother returned.

"Well, good morning sunshine! And don't you look pretty with your hair all done up nice like that!" Mrs. Nixon gave Alex a big hug and kiss, then turned to me.

"I turned in the paperwork for you to ride Casper in the barrel race. That starts around ten, so there's no rush. Plenty of time to see everything. Let's get Casper out and put in his stall for now, then we can go have a look around."

The place was filled with a hodge podge of stuff. There were pony rides which seemed silly to me ... most of the people here had horses of their own. Who would pay money to let their kid ride someone else's pony around for two minutes when they could do that at home all day long for free? Yet sure enough, there were people doing it. Then there were the food vendors, and I knew Alex was hungry. I paid a dime and bought a cinnamon pretzel.. it was the closest thing to breakfast I could find for her. She smiled at me as she devoured it... at least she wouldn't be hungry for a while.

"I can't see, mama, I can't see!" Alex called, and from her height, I had no doubt she couldn't.

"Come here, squirt." I hoisted her up and sat her on my shoulders, where she sat seemingly amazed by the view. "Now don't squirm," I cautioned, and she didn't.

"Isn't she too heavy for you?" Mrs. Nixon asked, watching but not protesting the way I held her daughter.

"No, she's light as a feather." I said, holding Alex by her ankles to make sure she didn't fall. Mrs. Nixon smiled, and we kept on our way.

There were games around the main road, but neither Mrs. Nixon nor I were gonna fall victim to those. They were known to be rigged, and I wasn't going to throw the little money I had left away on that. Some bells sounded and Mrs. Nixon steered us back to the arena, where the rodeo was getting started. I sat Alex down again, and she settled herself on the bench between us.

They started off with roping, first stationary objects, then calves running hilly nilly all over the place. The funniest thing of the morning was when they invited all the kids to come down and do a pig chase. That was exactly what the announcer said it was. A group of kids maybe twenty to thirty in all came in the arena from the stands and … yup... chased a pig. Alex wasn't down there, not wanting to get her clothes dirty. The pig chasing thing lasted nearly ten minutes or so until one kid got smart and managed to corner the pig and catch him. It was so funny, I nearly pee'd myself laughing and watching them while tears rolled down my face. I had to calm down, though, they were rolling in and measuring off the barrels for the barrel races next.

"Guess I better go, huh?"

"I'll go with you and help you saddle up Casper, then show you where to take him."

I followed her to where we'd left Casper, got him ready and led him to the waiting area. She put my entry number on the back of my shirt, gave me a hug and wished me good luck. She and Alex returned to the stands after that.

I was third to go, and never... in all the times running track, have I had a case of butterflies in my stomach like I did just then. I watched the other two ahead of me, their performances flawless. I was given the signal to mount up, and as I sat on Casper's back, I leaned over his neck to his ears.

"Casper, this is all you, buddy." I patted his neck and took the position in the starting gate. All too soon, the flag went up, I kicked him into motion and in a blinding whirl around and around and around we went. Once that last barrel was rounded, I set him off for the finish in a whirl of colors, lights and sounds. Polite applause followed, but I was just glad to have stayed on and not thrown up. My time was displayed... and as expected, came in last. Still, I smiled and patted his neck, giving him another carrot. "Good job, buddy. We did it, we came in last!" I laughed. Never had I thought that position would be so nice. I had to stay with him in the paddock until the rest of the riders had their turn. When it was all done, we ended up next to last.... the only one who managed to do worse than me was a kid maybe ten years old or so. Still, I was happy.

"That was a great job, Ponyboy!" Mrs. Nixon said as she and Alex came over after the awards for the winners were given out.

"I didn't expect to win, so I'm happy with it." I said, smiling.

"Mommy, I wanna ride!" Alex was calling up at her mother, but Mrs. Nixon seemed unsure. I nodded my head and held my hands out. Mrs. Nixon lifted her, and I settled her in my lap trying not to squish her in the saddle. I set Casper up to a canter, and out of the arena we went. She looked up at me, her brown eyes shining up with a smile from one ear to the other.

"Can you stay with us forever? Ponyboy?"

My heart felt heavy suddenly. I wrapped my arms around her a little tighter, holding her close. "Not forever, but for a little while longer, at least."

"But I don't want you to go away." Her brown eyes looked at me pleadingly, and I held her closer and tugged on her braid some, saying nothing. She squished back into my chest some and put her hands on mine -one on the reins, the other over my forearm.

One way or another, this was gonna hurt. The court date for the judge to reverse custody was coming soon, and changes were on the horizon.

XXX

Calla Lilly Rose