November 27th, 1999 – 9:00 AM
The town square was bustling with people today. The horse race was one of the few holidays I could be motivated to attend of my own accord. Grey would be riding Cliffguard and he'd won first place almost every year since he'd started racing, his skills were impeccable. He spent almost all his free time riding or studying how to improve his riding.
Ann, Doug, Rick, Maria, Adam and Ann Senior crowded around him jabbering with excitement. Ann was grooming Cliffguards coat while Doug inspected the horse shoes.
Maria looked worried and was adjusting the stirrups on his feet tightly asking if he'd be okay much to Doug's annoyance.
Rick was giving Grey an endless lecture on safety protocols while Adam and Ann Senior went on about how proud they were of him.
Behind them I saw my beloved great-Uncle Duke, one of my favorite people in the world. I don't see him much though as he spend most of his time managing the town bar so I made my way to him.
"Ah! If it isn't Karen! My you've certainly grown-up a lot since I last saw you. How are you doing?" He asked.
I grinned, "I'm pretty good, hungry, but good."
"Didn't your father send you with any money?" He asked bewildered.
"Nope, he says that if I want money for things I should get a job and earn it myself." I said strictly as if to imitate him.
"Well that's no fun at all, what do you say, I'll treat you to some food and you can pay me back by working as a waitress at my bar for a night…" He offered generously.
"Oh really? You're the best!" I was overjoyed with the thought of food… and maybe having a job.
We hit-up all the booths for popcorn, cotton candy and tempura fried foods. Jeff dealt with me in his usual flat, tight-lipped manner as he handed me my order. I could never shake the feeling that he just didn't like me.
"Why does Jeff hate me?" I asked Duke dubiously as I snacked on a piece of cotton candy.
"He doesn't hate you Karen, maybe when you are older you'll understand." He said mysteriously. I wasn't terribly convinced but I didn't honestly care that much.
Zack handed me a delicious cob of corn and we returned to the seating area. I could see my father in the distance speaking very actively amidst a group of other adults, my mother shyly clinging to his arm.
I dug-in hungrily as the Green family and the Destiny family settled down on the bench in front of us.
Ann turned around to face me "Did you bet for Cliffguard Karen?! I'm absolutely sure that he's going to win again this year!" she gushed.
I smiled, "I would've if I'd had the money to. I believe the only one in our family who's betting this year though." Duke shot me a sharp glance that I couldn't read.
Rick turned to me too as he came to realize who his cousin was talking to, "Karen! What a pleasant surprise, how've you be-" he started but was abruptly cut off.
"The first race is about to begin. All the participants should come to the gate."
"Welcome to the 1999 Flower Bud Horse Race!" Bellowed the major through a megaphone, "On your mark... Get set..." The whistle blew!
The horses raced from the starting gate, Teioh rider on a white steed took the lead, sprinting several feet ahead of the other horses, but Grey and Umeshu, a rider on a grey mare were making quick progress break the lead. Shioka was falling behind and just then, Grey broke to the forefront of the race cutting ahead to the lead.
He tucked his head in, holding the reigns tightly; you could almost feel his determination. The crowd roared!
My father looked jovial; he had probably placed his bets on Cliffguard as we did every year. It was practically a guaranteed win.
The jumps came next. Cliffguard soared over the first fence. The crowd cheered. Umeshu slowed bracing for the jump. In this time Shioka and Teioh dashed ahead, clearing the first fence.
Cliffguard raced beyond them on, racing way ahead of anyone's expectations, Grey braced for the second jump. His head tucked low, hands tightly on the reigns… clearing, followed closely by the other racers. There was even more applause and cheering! The whole town was overjoyed!
Shioka was catching-up though; she was almost side-to-side with him. He sped-up to compensate, pushing Cliffguard to the limit, the horse stumbled as they cleared the third fence, knocking Grey from his saddle but his foot was still securely attached to the stirrup. Ann scream, racing from her seat down toward the race-track.
He frantically reached for the stirrup, but it was no use, tossed about behind Cliffguard. The horse kept charging on still in the lead but only barely. Doug followed after his daughter to the track.
With while Grey hanging on by just his leg, Cliffguard cleared yet another jump. Adam and Ann Senior whispered to each other in a hushed tone, coming to the aid of their young grandson. Yasuma pulled forward racing evenly beside Shioka, then clearing the another job and then racing ahead of Cliffguard, his horse's hooves coming dangerously close to Grey's skull.
Cliffguard lost some steam as he cleared the final jump and Shioka dove past them clearing the finish line, Ann rushed forward to her brother's horse to try and calm him. Rick had found Potion Shop Dealer, Carl, and the two were working to fix Grey's wounds. I followed after my best friends at a distance but tried not to get in their way.
Doug freed his leg from the stirrup, and meek little Maria was in tears. "A-a-are you… okay?" She asked as she approached the track. "Don't ever talk to me again!" He hissed, blood pouring from his mouth as he spat a tooth. She rushed off in tears, "Can you stand?" Ann asked, trying to help her brother onto his feet. He howled in sheer agony… After Carl had finished an inspection of Grey it was clear to everyone… he would never be able to ride again.