Surprises- Chapter 8
When finally Kris reached the barn, she was suddenly aware that she was not alone. Besides the grunts and stomps of a dozen horses, she heard a very faint sobbing coming from want she assumed was Wildfire's stable: Tod.
Kris walked forward towards the sound and peered into the stall. Tod was kneeling beside the still and lifeless form of the once powerful horse. As she watched she debated on whether to make her presence known. She wiped her face dry of tears, but Tod turned around before she had made a sound.
"Hi Kris. What's up?" He tried not to show that he had been crying and quickly wiped the tears from his face. Kris Tried to smile at him, but it hurt to even think about happiness after what she had just done. "Nothing, how about you? Are you ok?" She looked sympathetically at the teenaged boy. He had had a rough life, and she was sure this had come as a real blow to him.
"I'm fine, but, are you ok? Have you been crying for him?" He looked down at the still horse in indication. Seemingly ignoring the question, Kris looked at him, her quiet face twitched at what was coming.
"Tod, I think I need to tell you something."
"You know how I said I left because Junior and I had a fight?"
"Yeah…"
"That wasn't entirely true. I left after we had a fight, but not because we did."
"I don't get it…" Tod looked at her quizzically. Kris opened the latch on the entrance to the stall and walked in. The sat close beside Tod on some warm hay and looked him in the eye.
"I'm sorry Tod, I should have told you the truth. I don't know if you can ever forgive me…"
"Kris, just tell me, please." He looked rather frightened, as if anything could possibly be more serious than the fact that Wildfire, their champion race horse and good friend had just left them for good.
"I left because I was pregnant." She closed her eyes, bracing herself for what Tod might say. To her surprise, she felt his arm wrap around her, not the child's arm that she had left, it was the strong and comforting arm of someone who was close to manhood. Tears once again dripped from her eyes and she explained what had happened.
"I feel so bad, I can't believe what I did. The worst part is, I don't think Junior will ever forgive me." As she formed the words that had been haunting her since she had decided to come back, she broke down into sobs, and was appreciative when Tod wrapped his other arm around her to embrace her in her pain.
"It's ok… It'll all be ok." Whatever Tod was thinking, he only let Kris know that he forgave her, and would always be there for her. When Kris was finally able to choke out words, all she could think to say was "Thank you". At least now she knew she had one friend she could always rely on. Her thoughts drifted back to Junior and Matt. She prayed they would someday understand how she felt, but for now she relaxed in the knowing that some people do love you unconditionally.
"How am I supposed to tell your mom and Pablo?" She looked up at Tod who seemed somewhat far away.
"Don't worry, I'll help you. But the longer you wait the tougher it will be."
"Yeah, I know. It's already been two years." Kris sniffed, but stood up, a little wobbly after crying to much. She brushed the hay off of her pants and watched as Tod did the same.
"You've grown so much. Thanks for always being my friend." Tod smiled at her, and they hugged once more.
"Now that we're all here, Kris has something she needs to say. You must first promise not to harm her in any way once you find out. She is telling the truth, and should be commended for that. She thought you two should know."
Jean and Pablo looked at each other and then at Kris. "Shouldn't Matt be here?" Jean asked.
"No, I've already told him." She looked to Tod for encouragement, and he nodded at her. "Go ahead, they have a right to know."
"I must first apologize for running away and not contacting you or telling you why." Kris remained expressionless, she wondered how many times she would have to explain her mistakes.
"Before I left, I had a fight with Junior. We fought a lot when we were together, he was a flirt and I was jealous. I loved him though, and to tell the truth I still do." Pablo smiled slightly, but stayed quiet. "I love Matt too, he is a great friend and has helped me through some difficult situations. He was always there for me when Junior and I had a fight. I would talk to him for hours, and he would help me to forgive Junior. He knew how much we really cared about each other. Junior and I always got back together, he would promise to be less flirty, and I would promise to be less jealous. This last time though, I couldn't take it. I was at the diner and caught him chatting it up with two girls. I took his keys and drove back to the ranch. There was Matt, waiting to calm me down. We sorta got carried away when we were talking and… I got pregnant. I'm really sorry, I should have told everyone years ago."
Pablo's smile quickly faded and Jean's eyes began to fill with tears. Kris looked worriedly at Tod wishing he could teleport her somewhere safe.
"Kris how could you keep this a secret, and shouldn't you have told Matt?" Jean asked with a very slight hint of anger in her voice.
"I did tell Matt and Junior that is why they went running out of here like maniacs." Kris said quickly.
"Well, I don't blame them one bit. You had know right to hide Matt's son and this secret from Junior. He loved you and he still does, but you have probably screwed that all up now. How could you Kris?" Jean asked angrily.
"I don't know, I just…I needed to leave after that night and not look back, but Kensley started to ask questions. Sure she is only two, but like Matt she is very smart. I couldn't hide her from her family any longer. I had to come tell Matt and Junior I guess I hoped they could forgive me for everything, but I guess you are right Jean I did mess everything up. I will go pack my stuff and find a hotel nearby. Tod tell Matt and Junior if they need or want to talk to me that is were I will be." Kris said running upstairs to pack her things as Tod, Pablo and Jean looked on stunned.
