Disclaimer: I don't own Phantom Stallion or the Bold dialog
I followed the La Charla towards my family's ranch, though truth be told sometimes I felt more at home ridin' the range, then I did at Three ponies. On the range things were simple, they didn't change. Sure there was different terrain, and the weather could change rapidly, but you always knew where you stood. You led your horse. Witch is a pretty independent horse, but I knew she relied on me, to get her where we we're going safely. That's what she wanted, needed and expected. It would never change. I was the herd leader. At home I was the youngest of six brothers. My old chores were to mend fences, collect eggs, remedial jobs, easy jobs, kid's jobs.
But I'm not a little kid, I'm sixteen. I hope to take over the ranch someday. I want more responsibilities, but I don't want to overstep my boundaries and take over my brothers' jobs. My brothers, there's another thing changing. For brothers there is a weird social order. It used to be I was the youngest and the smallest, so I was on the bottom. I'd compete with Quinn for who was last. But now I'm not sure where I stand. It's not like we can slug it out, to see who's in charge, like we use to when we were little, though sometimes I wish we could. I smirked at the thought, I'm not the smallest anymore, I know I could take most of brother in a fight.
I guess thinking about it like that kind of over simplifies it; it's not just about who is stronger. It all; comes back to where you stand with someone. So many of my relationships are changing, I'm not sure what is expected of me. By the time I finished these confusing thoughts, I was home.
I dismounted and was leading the Witch into barn when mom leaned out the front door and yelled for me to hurry up, so I could help her in the kitchen. I had to smile at that, my standing with my mom would never change. I think she will still be telling me what to do when I'm sixty. I untacked Witch and turned her out. I was carrying my saddle to the tack room, when Quinn and Bryan walked past me.
"Better hurry up Jake or Mom will make you stay in the kitchen all night. Bryan remarked. I grunted in response. Quinn added with a smirk,
"I think baby brother Jakey would like that, he'd get to spend all that time with his mommy. I ignored him and kept walking. I guess I'm still on the bottom. As I wiped off the bit I heard Bryan tell Quinn,
"You do realize we all have the same mother, don't you? Though it wouldn't surprise me to find out you were adopted." Quinn sputtered and stalked off. Maybe I'm not on the bottom after all.
I spent the next half hour in the kitchen helping my mom, till Grandpa Mac came in, telling my mom he really needed to talk to me. I thought I was saved. I followed him to the living room and sat across from him.
"Now, Jake I've thought about what skill you can master " he began. I interrupted quickly hoping to end the discussion faster.
"Grandpa I understand why you want me to master a skill, but it's just not practical. I have to prepare for college and focus on track. I'm never going to need one of these old skills" Grandpa just smiled and shook his head.
"The old ways still have much to teach us, but what I have in mind has a more practical use. In the tribal herd, there is a wild filly. She's a beautiful pinto, I want you to catch and tame her." I didn't understand how this was "mastering the old ways" and I was a little insulted Grandpa thought it would be a challenge for me to break a horse. I broke and trained horses all the time at Riverbend. I don't want to sound cocky, but I'm really good at it. I debated if I should tell Grandpa this; like I mentioned it wouldn't be much of a challenge, but on the other hand I could quickly accomplish this and life could go back to normal. I decided not to voice my thoughts, but Grandpa read them on my face. He continued, "You plan on running this ranch one day, don't you? This will be a unique way to gain experience handling horses, learning how to read them and more about them, maybe you'll learn something about yourself too.
I just nodded, contemplating what he said. I might grumble about Grandpa's odd behavior, but I really respect him. Grandpa smiled at my consent then suddenly grew serious again.
"This filly won't be easy to tame and there is no guarantee you'll be able to do it. I know your good with horses, but you'll need more than that to succeed." With that he turned and walked away. I returned to the kitchen. Mom had already finished the food. We all into the cars, and headed towards Riverbend.
When we pulled up my brothers bolted from the cars, quickly positioning themselves around the massive pile of wood the Forsters collected for the bonfire. I went to join them, but Mom cleared her throat; placed a tray full of lumps of dough in my hand; and pointed to the kitchen. Knowing there was no way out of it I reluctantly followed her onto the kitchen.