Country Plains & City Streets

Chapter 9: Saying you're 'See ya later' part 2

I woke up to the sound of my cell phone ringing, when I picked it up I saw a text from Riven, asking me if I knew anyone that gave horseback riding classes because Elizabeth wanted to ride a horse, I told him that he could stop at my place and I could teach her how too, since I do own two of them. I woke up and sound a note from Flora saying that she'll be out because she was going to help her mother in the garden but that she'll be back for dinner and movies.

I got up, took a shower, got dressed in my normal clothes, just a normal pink tank top, short jeans and my boots, my hair was loose, and very light makeup. Went downs stairs, ate and apple, I'm really not the hungry. I got Jack ready for Elizabeth's arrival, I would have chosen Alexia, but she's just a little bit too big for an 8 year old, she is one of the world's largest horses after all.

I heard a knock on my door, so I went to open it, but I already knew who was coming.

"Hi Musa"

"Hi Elizabeth, how are you?"

"I'm good, how about you?"

"I'm great, ready to ride a horse?"

"You bet… Dad are you coming or what?"

"Yeah, I'm coming"

"How's about you head outside, I'll catch up with you in a minute"

"Ok, see you in a few"

Elizabeth ran out back, and Riven walked in, why does this man always wear a suit?

"Ok, what is up with you and suits?"

"Force of habit. Ah I really should thank you for giving Elizabeth a ride on your horse"

"It's not big thing, so are we going to see this little girl ride or what?"

"That's what I'm here for right?"

"I thought it was to find your next pop star?"

"And that too"

"Musa, daddy hurry up, I wannah see more of this place before we leave tonight"

"Coming, be there in just a sec Elizabeth… so what time do we leave tonight?"

"Around 9 or 10 pm, I think it'll give you enough time to do a few last things"

"Right… anyways on with the horseback riding"

Musa and Riven walk outside to find a very hyper Elizabeth.

"Took you guys long enough"

"Sorry, wait a few more minutes while I go and get Jack"

"Kay"

Musa came back with Jack and Elizabeth was happier than a nerd getting a kiss from the school's hottie.

"Ok, first I'm going to show how you get on the horse ok?"

"Ok"

"Ok, you put your right leg here, if you're on the other side, then you'll put your left leg, then you grab hold of the settle, pull yourself up and swing the other leg around and you sit, that's how you get on a horse"

"And how do you get off?"

"You do the same but opposite"

"Oh, I'm kind of short so I'll need help getting on and off"

"Sure thing"

Musa helped Elizabeth on Jack, and she got on too, so she could teach her the basics on how to control a horse, then she got off, and stood by her and walked with Jack, Elizabeth wanted to ride alone to see how she does, but Riven disagrees.

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, NO… you stay by Musa or you don't ride any horse at all"

"Come on dad, just one try, Musa will be watching me; I just want to see how I do on my own"

"Elizabeth Marie Duncan, when I say no, I mean NO"

"Dad, come on, just one try, tell him Musa"

"Sorry darling I am not defending anyone in this battle"

"Come on dad, PLEASE!"

"Mmmmm… no"

"Dad… Musa how old were you when you rode your first horse?"

"Elizabeth where are you going with this?"

"If Musa rode a horse younger than me, then I ride alone, just once"

"I don't care if she rode a horse if she was 2, you are not going alone"

"I ride alone just one round, or I'll tell"

"You wouldn't"

"Try me"

Riven and Elizabeth stared at each other for a long time, as if trying to see if the little 8 year old was bluffing, while Musa just stood there watching the whole thing go down.

"One ride round, if anything happens you are grounded for a month"

"Deal"

Musa walked over to Riven letting Elizabeth ride alone for the first time, and she wasn't that bad.

"Trust issues with your princess?"

"It's not that, it's just sometimes she thinks that she's all grown up to do what she wants"

"Ah, the whole 'I can't stand watching her grow and leave faze'"

"What faze?"

"Riven, my dad did the same things with me; it's a father's way of saying that you're not ready to watch her grow up, never the less let her go"

"Do you read minds by any chance?"

"Nope"

Musa and Riven chatted and watched Elizabeth riding on her own, after what it seemed a good 5 minutes, Elizabeth wanted to explore more of Musa's home town. Musa led Jack back to his stable, and headed on a walk into town with Riven and Elizabeth, Musa talked to several people and saying her goodbye's or as Riven would say a 'See you later' when it was getting late, Riven headed to the inn with Elizabeth while Musa went to the hospital to see her father.

"Hey daddy"

"Oh pumpkin, ain't this a sight to see? How are you?"

"I've been better, how are you?"

"Ah I'm ok, with treatment and all… now min d telling your old man what's going on?"

"Ah, dad… I'm... I'm leaving"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm going to the city, this man offered me a record deal, and it's a huge deal and…."

"Musa, you know nothing of the city life, why would you accept that deal?"

"Because it's the only way I can pay for your medical bills and treatments, you've left me with no choice but to do so. Working part-time in the Inn ain't going to cover it y'know"

"But what about fund-raisers?"

"I've already checked, and as a result I'll be spending more making a fund-raiser than gaining any, I ain't going to do a weekly fund-raiser…. I have no other choice"

"…. When are you leaving?"

"Tonight"

"Are you ever coming back?"

"Of cores I am, I made it very clear to him that if I didn't came back whenever I wanted I would quit"

"And the farm?"

"Flora will tend to it… I'll send her money so she can buy the things the farm needs"

"… I'll miss you"

"I'll miss you too daddy" a tear slipped down Musa's face as she hugged her father, the talked for while, Musa gave her dad one last hug before she left to pack her things and go to be a city girl for the first time.

"So I guess this is goodbye then?"

"No Flo…more like a 'see you later' y'know I mean… I am coming back… I just don't know when"

"Oh… ok… well then see you later?"

"Yeah…. Oh Flo don't cry or else I'll cry... and then we'll look silly"

"I can't help it… you my only friend"

"Hug?"

"Hug!"

Musa and Flora held on tight until Musa heard a car coming, she let go and waved good bye, she had already said her bye's to her farm animals, she got her bag, looked back one more time and got into the car, a new adventure and challenges awaits this little cow girl.