Chapter 3
The Barn: Part 1
That spring after Jake and Tiffany's wedding, Rick's job in Australia was confirmed. There was no specific end date for the project, but Rick had to report the first week of June.
Surprisingly Grace was the only one that made the first trip over with Rick besides Sam his partner. Lily stayed to get Zoe settled at her dads for the summer and make arrangements for moving. Eli's new job at the music company was working out well and he decided to make an extended visit at Christmas time. He kept his garage apartment at the manor until they decided on final plans for the house.
Zoe wanted to spend time with her baby sister and Tiffany was grateful for any help she could give while being there over the summer. Jake was happy to have a second chance at happiness and started to settle down with his new family. Having Zoe for the summer was an added bonus.
Grace on the other hand couldn't wait to be gone. She considered her past year in school a disaster and Australia was far enough away. Her accomplishments were actually quite remarkable considering. Her acting abilities and writing continued to flourish and she made the Honor Roll. After the Dimitri fiasco she developed a serious dose of lack of self confidence. Getting away was something she needed and summer break didn't get there soon enough.
Judy still had Booklovers to run. The adjoining restaurant was starting to hold its own and showed real promise. She was breaking in a new manager for the bookstore side and once the initial startup phase for the hotel in Sydney was over she planned on spending some time with Sam to see which direction their relationship was going.
Karen's rehabilitation was coming along nicely as was her budding relationship with Henry. With the support of her children she felt like she had a new lease on life. Jessie moved back into her old room for the summer. Realizing that they would be apart for at least a half a school year their relationship grew a little more intense, but in a good way. They were able to share each other and grow as mother and daughter.
As for our two heroes, Eli pretty much had it right. They might not have been physically connected at the hip but the bond between them was definitely growing stronger. When Katie decided she was going to take Jessie to the stable she knew that was something they could do together and have fun with. What she didn't know was the profound effect it would have on so many people.
Katie got out of her car, went to the front door and rang the bell.
"Hi Mrs. Sammler, is Jessie ready to go?"
"I think so Katie Come on in." she said as she closed the door. "Jessie, Katie's here. Big plans today?"
"You should come with us; they say the horse's rhythm of walking is like the natural rotation of your hips."
"Maybe one day. I'll talk to Henry about it. Thanks for asking" she says as Jessie comes walking down the stairs.
"Hi Billy."
"Hey Billy!"
"I've got a change of clothes in my backpack; do you think I'll need anything else?"
"Just comfortable walking shoes. You might not need the clothes but you never know what you might step in around a barn." Katie laughs.
"That was a crappy joke Billy"
"Thank you Billy. Let's go. Bye Mrs. Sammler."
"Bye Mom."
"By girls, call me and let me know when you are coming home."
"OK." They said together.
So they settled in for the half hour ride to the stable.
"Jess your awful quiet over there, is there something wrong?" Katie asks.
"No, Katie it's just that I'm nervous and I don't want to look stupid in front of you because I don't know what to do." She says with a frustrated look on her face.
"I understand, and don't worry. I want to show you around, check the place out, meet a few people, meet a horse or two and you don't have to feel like you have to impress anyone. This might not be something you want to do. I think you will like the place, and the people her are friendly and helpful for the most part. So relax and save that stress for something important, ok?"
"Oh all right. How come you never told me about this before? I mean about you riding horses and all?"
"That's all part of the Billy mystique." She says with a grin. "I quit riding up her after my freshman year. I came up a few times the summer before I met you. It's no secret; it just never came up or seemed important until now."
They rode in silence for a little while. The radio was low and each girl was in her thoughts.
"Katie, you did call ahead and let these people know we were coming didn't you?" Jessie asked with a little apprehension.
"Jessie Sammler, would I just show up unannounced somewhere? I am shocked"
"You have a serious track record of just showing up. Shall I start counting?" As they both burst into laughter.
"For your information Billy, I did call and let them know we were coming because I wanted to check and make sure that there weren't a lot of activities. A slow day is the best time to come out and get acquainted. You would be surprised at how busy a place like this gets." She said.
After a few more minutes they pulled into a driveway. There was a house off to the right with a pond behind it. As they drove down the tree lined drive Katie slows down so that Jessie can take it all in. The driveway goes right through the middle of two large pastures and as they come to the top of a small hill off in the distance she could see a barn with an open arena to one side.
Katie remembered her first time topping that hill and looking at this sight and though she had been there many times before it was still rather breathtaking.
"Stop!" Jessie exclaims.
Katie hits the brakes and brings the car to a stop.
"This place looks so awesome! Thank you for bringing me here Katie, I love it."
"Slow down Billy, we haven't even gotten to the good part yet, but I know how you feel it's pretty cool isn't it?"
"Thank you," Jessie says quietly and reaches over and gives her a hug. "I'm surprised I haven't seen any drawing of this place before."
"Oh I have few sketches" Katie said "Come on, lets go see where you fit in this picture."
But before they started out again Katie had one more thing to say.
"Jess I don't how this will go, but I just wanted to share this place with you. I think I was about Zoë's age when I first came out here with my oldest brother. It's always been my special place. I've been selfish I suppose, but believe it or not you are the first person I have ever brought here. This is one of those things I don't think I'll ever outgrow. But I'm ready to share this place now and I'm ready to share you too."
"What?. Wait a minute; I don't know if I like the sound of that."
"It's ok, all I mean is that as we get older we are going to find times that we may not be able to be as we are now. In 92 days you leave for Australia. Next year I go to college. I have accepted the fact that the person I love more than anything is going to be on the other side of the world. We have the summer. I want to share everything with you I can. I know I'm rambling. I'll shut up now."
"I know how you feel Billy. It's not easy is it?" Jessie said softly.
"No, it's not easy Billy, but I think it will be ok."
Then they shared a kiss.
Meanwhile at the Hospital 12 years later
"Hey Jessie, I got her as quick as I could. How is she?" Zoë asked as she sat down beside Jessie.
"Thanks for coming. I came down for some coffee, would you like some?"
"Not right now. What are you not telling me?"
"They have her in ICU for now to make sure she is stable. It's easier to monitor in there. They said that they would move her in a little while, because all of her vitals were pretty good when she came in. I can't tell you what I don't know, but I feel so helpless right now." She said in a frustrated tone.
"We can go up there now and you can look in on her."
When they got to unit upstairs Jessie stopped outside the door.
"She's in there; they let us in one at a time. I'll wait here."
"Thanks. I won't be too long."
Zoë went in and stood next to the bed. Katie had a peaceful look on her face, but it was hard for her to see her like this. She ran her ran her finger along Katie's arm and spoke softly to her.
"Katie, I don't know if you can here me or not. They say that sometimes people in your condition are aware of others in the room with them. I'm going to believe that, since it's you we're dealing with. I know you and Jessie are like telepathic when you're near each other. But I also know how much you care about other people.
You've always treated me like a sister and I just wanted you to know how much I care about you. Jessie's outside and you won't be alone here no matter how long it takes. I'm going to go now and see how long before we get to move you to a better room. I'll be close if you need me."
She gave Katie a kiss on her bandaged forehead and walked out to where Jessie was waiting.
"Jess, why don't you go back to the hotel and freshen up. Eli already called your Dad and Lily. They are going to get a hold of the Singers and your mom. Grace is checking on things at the arena and I will stay here until you get back. If they get ready to move her before you get back I'll call you, Ok?"
Both girls were teary eyed and neither really wanted to budge, but Jessie saw the sense in being fresh and there could be some long nights ahead, not the kind of nights Jessie was hoping for either. She gave Zoe a hug and started for the elevator.
"I'll call you when I get ready to head back, if I haven't heard any thing by then. If I have time I might have to go over to the arena and let everyone know what's going on, but believe me I won't leave you alone any longer than I have to." She said as she got in and punched the lobby button.
She walked out towards the lot where Zoe had parked the rental car and paused behind a bench. She stood there for a moment and gripped the back of it for support. All of sudden she felt the weight of all that had transpired recently and started to cry uncontrollably. Her shoulders were shaking and she covered her eyes with her hands. The tears were flowing freely and she didn't understand the overwhelming thought of grief that flooded her emotions.
Katie was going to be all right. She knew that in her heart. Then why the feeling of dread? That's all that really mattered wasn't it? Or was it? The range of emotion that went through her at that moment was almost more than she could take.
And then two things happened simultaneously; calm enveloped her very being as a hand was placed on her shoulder. Then a melodious voice softly spoke to her.
"I'm not sure what the trouble is baby girl, but why don't you sit on that bench for a spell and collect yourself."
Without thinking she moved around the bench and had a seat. A sparkling white handkerchief was handed to her and she began to wipe the tears from her face.
What happened next was hard to describe.
As she was wiping her face she looked up and for once in such a long time total confusion set in. What she saw in front of her was something so out the ordinary that she almost started laughing and then reality set in as she realized exactly who she was looking at. This was someone that had been described to her a long time ago. How Jessie even remembered that was incredible.
"How can you be here?" she asked in disbelief.
"I get around little lady".
"You look just like she described you all those years ago."
"I hope that's a good thing."
"How can this be good? You are a figment of Katie's imagination!
Tbc