And so concludes another story. Thank you to everyone who's been reading, and please feel free to offer your feedback.
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The next few days passed by relatively uneventfully. Sarah got better at fielding questions from the many reporters that gathered around, and even learned to flirt with them a little bit. Alec supervised Pam's Song's workouts every morning, checking in with Henry in the afternoons. Henry sounded stronger on their phone calls, assuring Alec that he was doing just fine, that he couldn't wait to watch their girl run on Saturday.
Alec, for his part, watched every race Sarah rode in that week, his heart in his throat. She had a good run, with very few issues, and it looked like she would be ready to go Saturday afternoon. They had spent every night together, but Sarah finally took to her own room Friday night, promising to make it up to him Saturday night.
He was thrilled by the prospect, even as he dreaded it. It would be one night closer to the possibility of Sarah leaving, and Alec still wasn't quite ready for that.
Alec was up and down all night Friday night, unable to get any respite from the nightmares that plagued him. They hadn't been particularly bad all week, but they had certainly made up for lost time that night. He gave up on getting back to sleep as dawn broke, throwing back the covers.
He heard a knock on the door just as he was getting out of bed, and he quickly moved to answer it. Sarah was on the other side, looking like he felt.
"What's wrong?" Alec asked, alarmed.
"Just wound up, that's all." Sarah grumbled. "Can I come in?"
"Of course."
Sarah entered the room and immediately wrapped her arms around Alec. Alec closed the door and did the same, holding her close. They stood in silence for what seemed like forever, neither one of them willing to break the silence.
Finally, Sarah let out a long sigh and squeezed Alec. "I should have just stayed here last night. I probably would have slept better."
Alec chuckled. "You and me both."
Sarah glanced toward the bed. "We've got some time. I guess we could catch a little rest."
"Oh, no you don't." Alec teased her. "Remember what happened last time?"
Sarah's eyes crinkled in amusement. "You don't trust me?"
"Not a bit." Alec gave her a quick kiss.
Sarah pulled him toward the bed, and they curled up together under the covers. Within moments Sarah was fast asleep, snoring softly against his chest. Alec gently kissed the top of her head, just trying to enjoy this time with her. There was no telling when he was going to experience it again.
They had talked around the subject over the last few days, but hadn't come to any definitive conclusions. It wasn't likely to happen today, either. Might as well just get through the day and take it from there.
As the daylight started creeping into the room, Alec slipped away, letting Sarah sleep a little longer. He wanted to get down to the track to get Pam's Song out for one more quick workout before the Belmont. Alec wanted her warmed up, but not worn out. She was going further than she ever had before, and Alec wanted to make sure she was good and ready.
Sarah stirred as he moved away, mumbling in her sleep. Alec dressed and gave her a brief kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you later."
"Mm-hm."
Alec closed the door behind him and started the short walk to the track. He needed the time to clear his head before getting started. After a stop for coffee, he headed into the barn. The noise was comforting and familiar, and he could already see the crowds starting to form.
One of the grooms nodded in greeting as Alec walked up. "How's she doing this morning?"
"She's in fine shape, sir." the groom told him. "She had her oats this morning, and we're just about to send her out to the track."
"Good, good." Alec whistled softly, and the filly turned her head. "Hey, girl. Today's the big day."
Pam's Song merely snorted in response, and he and the groom both laughed. "They really don't care, do they? We think this stuff is more important than they do."
"Oh, they know." Alec answered as he scratched the filly's neck. "It's early yet. Huh, girl?"
The groom took her out to the paddock to be saddled, and Alec nodded at the waiting exercise rider. "Morning, Mary."
"Morning." Mary smiled as she buckled her helmet. "What's the word?"
Alec gave Mary her instructions, and horse and rider trotted out to the track. Alec had his stopwatch at the ready as Mary got Pam's Song warmed up. Once she started the workout, Alec could see and hear the growing crowd. It was different being on the training side, and without Henry with him, he felt very much alone.
He focused on the filly's workout, watching both the filly and his stopwatch, nodding in satisfaction. Pam's Song was indeed good and ready. It was going to be a good day.
Mary returned with Pam's Song, riding the filly at a trot. "She's ready to run today. I had a hell of a time keeping her under wraps."
"You did a good job." Alec told her. "Kept her right on pace."
Alec stayed for a while, observing the other Belmont entries going through their final workouts. Everyone looked solid today, and Alec could feel the tension growing. He willed himself to calm down. It was all out of his hands now. This afternoon, it would be up to Sarah and Pam's Song, and he would be a mere bystander.
He took a deep breath and headed toward the grandstand. The day's races would be starting before too long, and that would provide a welcome distraction.
The sun rose higher in the sky, the air heating up. It was shaping up to be an unusually warm day for mid-June, which did nothing to improve Alec's nerves. The last thing he wanted was to run Pam's Song too hard today. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand and squinted out at the track.
He barely noticed the activity around him and the growing crowd, simply sitting and watching race after race. Sarah had four mounts in addition to Pam's Song today. It was almost as if she was deliberately defying him by taking on so much other work, but really, it wasn't as if others that were riding in the Belmont weren't doing the same thing.
Finally he could stand it no more. His nerves were jangling with each race, and he had to get out of there. He found a pay phone near the betting windows and placed a call.
"Hello?"
"Sally, it's Alec." Alec's words came in a rush. "Is Henry available?"
"He's right here. I'll put him on." Alec could hear a brief exchange between Sally and Henry before Henry finally came on the line.
"Alec, how are you holding up?"
Alec finally exhaled. "I'm nervous as hell."
"Of course you are." Henry laughed. "I'd be concerned if you weren't."
Alec laughed in response, finally relaxing a little bit. "Any advice?"
Henry paused. "It's out of your hands now. We've done all we can do, and she's as ready as she's ever going to be. Just go watch and cheer our girls on."
Alec noted Henry's use of the plural. "She's riding all damn day today."
"Yep, they do that." Henry answered casually. "Sarah's a tough girl. She'll be fine."
"I hope you're right."
"I usually am." Henry replied cheerfully.
Alec heard the announcement for the call to the saddling paddock for the tenth race, the Belmont. "Henry, I've gotta go."
"I'll be watching, son." Henry answered. "No matter what happens today, I'm proud of you."
Alec swallowed hard. "Thanks, Henry. Talk to you soon."
He hung up and made his way to the paddock. The horses were already on their way out, and he soon spotted Pam's Song. She would be the only filly in the field today.
Alec nodded to the groom that led her, noting her stride, finding nothing out of the ordinary, nothing that would necessitate a late scratch. He was a little more at ease after having talked to Henry, but he could still feel the tension in his shoulders.
He took a deep breath as he spotted Sarah striding across the paddock. She looked none the worse for wear after her day of riding, and she exuded a confidence that he wished he felt.
"Well, this is it." she greeted him with a smile. "Got anything for me?"
Alec shrugged and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Nothing you don't already know, I suspect. Be careful out there."
"Always."
Alec boosted her into the saddle and gave Pam's Song a pat on the hindquarters as they left the paddock for the post parade. It was all up to them now. Time for him to take his place with the other trainers and owners.
"Alec!" he heard a familiar voice. "Over here!"
He moved closer and saw his mother waving wildly. His father stood beside her.
Alec couldn't believe it. He hugged his parents each in turn. "What are you doing here?!"
"Well now, you didn't think we would leave you here all by yourself, did you?" Belle patted Alec's cheek. "Not on such an important day."
Alec looked around his parents and spotted Mike and Brian. Brian waved with a wide grin, while Mike held up the drink in his hand. "Who's watching the farm?!"
Mike chuckled and handed Alec the drink. "Jinx has it well in hand."
"Unbelievable." Alec muttered.
Brian looked around, shaking his head. "You know what's unbelievable? Being here. This is amazing."
Alec made a mental note to get Brian off the farm and to the track more often.
The sound of the bugle pierced the air, signaling the beginning of the post parade. Alec kept an eye out for Pam's Song. Belle spotted her first, calling out. "There she is!"
Alec looked up to see the filly striding confidently on to the track, Sarah perched on her back making conversation with the rider that was escorting them to the gate. The familiar chest tightness was back, along with the tension in his shoulders. His father clapped him on the shoulder.
"Relax, son."
"I'm trying."
Soon the horses were loaded in the gate, a couple of the mounts rearing up in the gate. As far as he could tell, Pam's Song was calm but alert, unbothered by the behavior of the other horses. It was a good sign.
The starters got the others settled down, the bell rang, and the gates flew open. Alec adjusted his binoculars and trained them on the field. Pam's Song had broken well, and was off to a fine start, moving in just behind the front runner.
It was a smooth and steady run until the half mile mark, when the field shifted and the front runner fell back, replaced by Tyler's mount. Alec held his breath, flashing back to the confrontation after the Preakness and the story Sarah had told him.
"Hold her steady, hold her steady." Alec muttered as they rounded the turn, Tyler's mount at Pam's Song's withers.
Pam's Song surged forward at Sarah's encouragement, leaving Tyler's mount further behind. Another challenger was coming up on the rail and gaining ground. While Tyler's mount was still keeping up, he was starting to fade by the three-quarter mile mark, leaving it a two-horse race.
Alec's heart started pounding so hard he could feel it in his temples. He didn't dare breathe as he watched the two horses running neck and neck as they approached the one-mile marker. The field shifted again, and Alec could see another horse giving it all he had in an attempt to catch the front runners.
Sarah glanced behind her, giving Pam's Song a little tap before giving her a bit more rein. The filly found another gear, her ears lying flat against her head as she stretched her neck out. Alec hoped that this was all she would need to give. He wasn't sure she had another gear in her.
"Here she comes, Alec!" his mother exclaimed, clutching his sleeve excitedly. The three horses had rounded the turn and were coming down the final stretch. This final run would decide it all, and the filly was giving it all as she came flying down the track.
"Come on, girl. Come on." Alec could barely breathe now. This final quarter mile was killing him.
"And the filly pulls it off!" the track announcer crowed as all three horses crossed the finish line. "Ladies and gentleman, history has been made here today by the filly from Hopeful Farm. A filly has won the Triple Crown!"
Pandemonium broke out in the owners' and trainers' area, and Alec was suddenly surrounded by family, friends, and fellow owners and trainers, all hugging and congratulating him. He could scarcely believe what had happened.
But it was real. Pam's Song had done it. She had fought hard, and she had come through. Alec thought he might burst on the spot.
"Get down there, Alec!" his father scolded him.
"You're all coming with me." Alec gestured to his parents, Mike, and Brian, and they all made their way to the winner's circle. Cameras flashed as they entered, but Alec only had eyes for the filly and the woman that sat astride her.
Sarah was breathing hard, sweat pouring down her face. Not even dirt and sweat could obscure the broad smile that lit up her whole face, and she reached down to take Alec's outstretched hand. "We did it. We really did it."
"You sure did." Alec couldn't quit smiling, squeezing her hand.
They stared at each other for a moment, words failing them. Finally Sarah nodded toward the crowd. "You'd better go talk to those folks."
After the trophy presentation and a brief speech, they gathered for a photograph. Alec waved to Sarah to join them. Sarah quickly hopped down, patting Pam's Song and standing next to Alec.
Alec placed an arm around her waist, pulling Sarah close enough to him to whisper in her ear. "I'm so proud of you, and I know Henry is, too."
Sarah beamed, as tired as she was, and leaned in for a kiss just as the photographer took the picture. Alec didn't care who saw them. Today, he was the happiest man on Earth, and nothing would take this moment away from him.
###
It was early the next morning when Alec pulled the truck up to the Hopeful Farm barn. The celebrations had gone late into the night, and he and Sarah had continued with their own private celebration back at the motel. It was as if they both knew, without saying it, that this might be their last night together, and they made sure to make the most of it.
Now Alec was left with a fuzzy head and a whole lot of memories. He tried not to think too hard about it as he packed up the truck and trailer. Pam's Song would return to Hopeful Farm for a well-deserved rest before resuming training for a fall campaign, and Alec would concentrate on working with Storm Front, Night Sky, and Golden Dancer. Storm Front's training was progressing nicely, and Brian thought the colt might be ready to face some allowance company by fall. Night Sky was coming along, and was ready to take another crack at maiden special weight races. If he managed to break his maiden, he might progress to some stakes races come fall.
Golden Dancer would require more time and energy. Jinx was working with her to get over her fear of horses passing her on her right side, and she had made some progress, but she wasn't race ready yet. Alec was considering taking her to Florida along with Night Sky and Storm Front.
It would be strange going without Henry. He hated the idea of going at all, but someone had to go, and it might as well be Alec. It was long past time to face this particular set of demons. Besides, winter in Florida didn't sound so bad.
Footsteps coming through the barn pulled Alec out of his thoughts. Sarah approached him, her bag slung over her shoulder, her braid swinging behind her. She looked as tired as he felt, but she still met him with a slight smile.
"I'm getting ready to head out." she told him. "Gonna go visit the family for a couple weeks."
"You've more than earned the break." Alec replied. "I think we're going to take a little break ourselves when we get home."
Sarah nodded, looking down at the ground briefly before looking up again to meet Alec's eyes. "I'll keep in touch. I might be back around in the fall."
Alec pulled out his wallet, opening it, taking out a Hopeful Farm business card and handing it to Sarah. "You'll want this."
"Thank you." Sarah replied softly as she took it, her eyes shining with tears. "Not just for this. For everything."
Alec swallowed the lump in his throat. "We couldn't have done this without you."
Sarah nodded vigorously. "Been a hell of a ride, huh?"
"It has."
Sarah suddenly stepped forward and enveloped Alec in a bear hug, nearly knocking the wind out of him. Alec returned the gesture, trying to keep his emotions in check. He had known this day would come, and yet he was still unprepared for it.
Finally she stepped back, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you, too."
Sarah nodded, turning away with a sad smile.
"Sarah!" Alec called out to her.
She turned around, and suddenly the words he wanted to say wouldn't come out. "Have a nice vacation." he said lamely.
Sarah gave him a strange look, then turned and strode away.
Alec watched her go, the tightness in his chest easing just a little. Maybe he would see her again, maybe he wouldn't. Either way, life would go on. He knew that now. But it would hurt for a while.
He patted Pam's Song on the nose as he clipped a lead to her halter. "Come on, girl. Let's go home."