A/N: Hey everyone! I know it seems like forever since I last updated this story, but I went camping over the weekend (got burned really bad - both my legs & back - it really hurts), and it's kind of hard to update when there's limited Internet and I didn't bring my laptop with me - lol.
Anyway, there's only 5 more chapters left of this story. This chapter is really sad, but I promise the next one will be happy. Unfortunately, there will not be a sequel, but there's my other RENT stories to look forward to.
This chapter is based on actual events (the second part anyway). A horse I used to ride, Windy, got his tail ripped out by some stupid person - his tail grew back eventually, but he lost his trust in all people.
Read, review & enjoy.
-MET
CHAPTER FIVE
"Roger, I don't know what to do with him anymore. It feels like he's become depressed – he's not doing well at all." Benny told Roger three weeks later. He stood in front of La Vie Boheme's stall, watching the colt try to find his way around his stall. As of two weeks ago, La Vie Boheme was legally blind.
"I have an idea – Angel-Glory's birthday is coming up and she's been bugging me for a horse. That could be your gift to her." Roger suggested. The thought made Benny smile, then frown.
"Rog, I don't know. He's a blind racehorse – I don't know how he'll respond to a different environment."
"I have an idea – why don't you bring him over to the ranch and let him stay overnight – I'll put him in a stall towards the back of the barn."
"That's a good idea. I'll bring him over in a few minutes. Wait – where are the kids?" Benny inquired.
"Andrew's not feeling well and the girls are in school – they should be getting home in an hour, except Angel-Glory. She's spending the night at a friend's house."
"Good, so the transition should be easy."
"Ben, I've gotta go – Melina wants something. I'll see you in a few, okay?"
"See you, Rog." Benny hung up the phone and entered La Vie Boheme's stall, giving his favorite horse a pat, making sure to keep his voice low.
Five minutes later, Benny pulled the trailer into the Lazy D Horse Ranch. He smiled as Roger came out to greet him.
"Hey Rog." Benny greeted his friend, smiling when Roger helped him with the trailer.
"Hey Benny. How's your Triple Crown winner?" Roger inquired.
"She's good – I'm looking at breeding her next year. Already found a stud that's perfect for her." Benny answered as he led La Vie Boheme down the ramp and into a stall at the very back of Roger's barn. Horses stuck their heads as Benny passed by them.
"That's great. Who's the stud?" Roger asked, setting La Vie Boheme's tack trunk in front of the stall while Benny put his saddle, bridle and blankets in the tack room.
"His name is Knight In Shining Armor."
"Oh, I heard from Mark yesterday."
"How's he doing?"
"He's married and his wife is pregnant with twins."
"Is he still filming?"
"Yeah, but as a hobby. He got a job as a cameraman for CNN."
"That's great – I'm so happy for him."
"I am, too. He and his wife are planning on coming to Angel-Glory's birthday party next week. They got her a ticket to see her favorite musical, Phantom of the Opera when she visits them in New York this summer."
"That sounds exciting."
"I think she'll have fun."
Benny left Roger's house after having dinner with Roger, Savannah and Melina.
When Benny got home, however, he saw the vet's truck parked in front of the racing stable. Parking the truck, he sprinted down to the barn and saw a horrifying sight – CloudJumpinRainbow was in the middle of the aisle in crossties, blood seeping down her tail, or what was left of her tail. There was also blood coming from a deep stab wound in her shoulder.
"What happened?" Benny asked.
"When I brought her in from the paddock, she looked like this." Paul answered, holding onto CloudJumpinRainbow's halter as the vet cleaned her up as best as he could. As Paul put CloudJumpinRainbow back in her stall, Benny saw that her beautiful tail was gone.
"Her tail's missing." Benny said to the vet.
"It was yanked out by someone – I'll get her a new one – my mare just died and her tail is the same color as Rain's." the vet told Benny. Benny nodded, frowning at how cruel and thoughtless people could be.
