...That summer I turned a corner in my soul...

Part One

Bianca rode down to Mary's, pulling Molly behind her. Although she was thirty she was the best barrel horse Bianca had ever been on. Bianca pulled her horse, Little Jack, to a halt in front of the house. She saw Mary sitting on the porch. "I didn't think you would show up." She said as she stood walking through the gate towards Bianca.

"Why wouldn't I?" The tall said as she hopped off her horse.

Mary looked at the ground. "I...I never had a friend before Bianca. At least anyone that followed through on their word."

"Oh...Mary, I'm sorry..."

Mary held up her hand. "Its okay. You don't need to hear my 'poor me' story."

Bianca nodded. "This is Molly." Bianca said changing the subject.

"Umm...She is really tall."

Bianca smiled. "Believe me, she won't hurt you. I have only seen her buck once. That was when she was a lot younger. I don't think she could throw anyone even if she wanted to."

Mary still looked a little nervous. "Um...can you help me up?"

Bianca blushed at not offering her help. "Of course."

Bianca instructed Mary to put on foot in the stirrup. "One, two, three." Bianca picked her up and placed her in the saddle. "Are you okay?" Bianca asked her body tingling where she had touched Mary.

She nodded feeling the same thing that Bianca did.

"Alright." Bianca swung up on her horse. "Just tap her with your calves and click." She said as she crossed the road with Mary besides her going up a small hill to the field. She led them through an open gate and looked over at her riding partner. "Aren't you hot?" She asked looking at the blonds clothing.

"Oh...not really." Mary lied. If Bianca looked closer she could see the sweat on her forehead.

"So...I heard your father call you Margaret...which is it?" Bianca asked.

"It's a stupid name really..."

"Oh come! Please." Bianca begged.

Mary smiled. She was beginning to really like Bianca. "Promise you won't laugh?"

"Scouts honor." Bianca held up her fingers.

Mary smiled. "Mary Margaret Stone."

Bianca smiled. "I think that's a beautiful name."

Mary blushed. "Thanks."

"Where are you from?"

"Cincinnati. You?"

"Lived here all my life."

Mary nodded. "Favorite color."

Bianca smiled. "Red."

Mary nodded. "Your turn."

Bianca smiled at the ease between them. "Why did you move to the country?"

Mary's smile faded. "Stuff."

"Stuff?"

"Some things happened, we needed to get away."

Bianca nodded. She knew not to push. "Favorite ice cream?"

The questions when on for another hour, then the questions turned into stories from their childhood, Bianca lay next to Mary on the blanket she packed.

"My mother told me that it was her first real tree. She didn't know that she had to water it! And then the next thing you know it started on fire!" Mary laughed.

Bianca rolled over wiping away the tears. "That has to be the funniest thing I ever heard!"

Mary smiled happy that she could make her new friend laugh. She looked over at Bianca locking their eyes.

"You don't look like a Mary." Bianca said suddenly.

Mary looked shocked. "What?"

"No offense. It just doesn't fit you."

Mary became uncomfortable. "Then what fits me?" She asked quietly.

Bianca stared at her for a moment. "Mary Margaret... Marge no...Mar...no way...hum..." Bianca's face lit up. "I got it!"

"What?" She looked over at her.

"Maggie!"

Mary's face when blank, she looked away.

"What? You don't like it?"

Mary turned to face her, eyes filled with tears. "Your not the first person to call me that."

Bianca looked at her confused.

"Frankie." She whispered. "He was my older brother. You never met a nicer guy. He was eight-teen. God. He was so good at sports, on the honor role. He was with Katherine for 4 years. They where going to get married. He was driving home and he realized he needed to get gas. It wasn't the best part of town, but he had no choice. Two gangs where having a shoot out and he just got in the way." Maggie was now openly crying. She never talked about her brother. Not to anyone and here she was pouring her heart out to a complete stranger. "He was shot twice. Once in the head, and in the chest, the doctors said he was killed instantly. We sued, but the men got off. It just made dad worse." Mary paused, not sure to tell Bianca about the drinking. She opted not to. "Mom figured moving away would erase some of the pain, but I don't think its working." She finished with a sob.

Bianca had tears falling down her face. "Oh my god...I...I'm so sorry."

Mary nodded. "Its okay."

"How...how long ago was it?" She whispered.

"A year, not even." Mary choked out.

Bianca looked over at her, she moved closer. Carefully she held out her arms. Mary looked apprehensive at first, but finally gave into the comfort. Bianca held her tightly. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

All Mary could do was sob into her new friends arms.

More? Tell me if you want it.