Amy's Summer Semester's Final Week
Twilight had long since ended. A sliver of a new moon had risen, giving over the dark sky to the stars as their backdrop to shine. Still wide awake after hours of studying, she began her nighttime ritual to wind down for sleep. What had started simply as a way to exercise Silvie, now saddle broke, became a sacred practice for Amy to set her mind and body at ease, freeing her from the worries and minutia of the day.
Dressed for midnight riding, she descended the loft stairs quietly into the still barn, sock footed with boots in hand as to not disturb the horses' slumber. The lights too remained dimmed as to not give notice to the ranch house inhabitants, namely her grandfather who would not take kindly to her nightly activities. Slipping out of the back of the barn and into her boots, she gathered the tack and riding helmet from under the woolen blanket, left there after night check. Helmet on, secured under her chin, she carried the saddle to her stall where she waited.
"Hey girl." She whispered to the young horse, stroking her beautiful dappled grey coat, aglow in the darkness. "Ready to run?"
Silvie nickered softly in response, her head bobbed up and down. Tacking her, she could feel the horse tremble with desire, anticipation, despite standing perfectly still, nearly matching her own excitement.
Opening the gate, Amy led her out, into expansive openness of the field. Swinging easily into the saddle, readying for flight, she bridged the reins securely in her left hand. Lifting in her seat, she leaned slightly forward, positioning herself over the horse's center of gravity, then commanded, "Hup."
Finally released, Silvie took off like a shot, gaining speed in mere seconds, racing across the field, her hooves striking the ground, like she was running for her life. Like she was born to run. Soon, Silvie hit her stride, a rhythmic four step gate, as her muscles bunched and released, her head in syncopated motion.
Practically standing in her stirrups so as to not interfere with Silvie's stride, Amy wrapped her right hand into her coarse, black mane to further steady herself. Tethered to the speeding horse by only her fingers and toes, she felt as if she were flying.
The rush was exquisite. Her eyes began to tear, as they raced through the cool night air, as joy exploded her heart.
Reaching the hilltop overlooking the valley, both are breathing hard, their adrenalin spent. Amy leaned back into the saddle, slowing Silvie's stride, to a slow trot.
"Whoa." Coming to a stand still, Silvie twitched and tensed, wanting to run again. She patted her neck affectionately. "Good girl."
"It's a beautiful night Sylvie, isn't it? Look at all those stars. Seems like every one showed up tonight." The young horses ears twitched at the sound of her voice. After a few minutes, they trotted down the hill, across the field, slow and steady, back to the barn. Watered and cooled, Silvie snacked from the hay from the net as Amy bid her good night.
Up in her loft bed, she fell into a deep, restful sleep.
The entire summer had been particularly glorious as nearly endless cornflower skies, warm sunshine prevailed, feeding the souls of wanting plants and animals alike while cool, gentle rains, when they came, quenched their thirst. Before them, the lush carpet of green grass, edged by brilliant flower petals, leafy trees, majestic pines, and soaring mountains beyond, all stretched upward, open to soaking in everything given. Amy was no different.
She sat next to him, on the wooden bench on the front porch of the old ranch house, gazing outward. Her shoulder leaning, ever so slightly against his. Both so contented in each other's presence, no words were necessary.
A lone Canadian Tiger Swallowtail danced before them in its flight from flower to flower. Its pale yellow wings, tiger striped and outlined in black, it's hindwings marked with bright cobalt blue and orange spots, alternated between a flutter and a coast, capturing the attention of its audience of two.
"Have I told you that I am proud of you?" His voice quiet, laced with pride, he glanced sideways at his youngest granddaughter.
Not returning his gaze, she hummed softly. "Hmm. Not recently."
"Well, I am remiss then." He chuckled as he patted her knee. "I am so proud of you, Amy." He drew out each word.
Her eyes cut to him for a second, then back to the butterfly which landed on a moist spot under the stand of purple bergamot, opening its wings fully.
"It's been a good summer. Hasn't it?" She finally said, her chin lifting slightly, buoyed by his words. Her lips settled into a tiny smile.
"Yes. It has." Jack agreed, then admitted. "In the beginning, I was worried that you were taking on a bit too much. But, you have handled everything beautifully."
"I was worried myself." She acknowledged, introspective and humble. "But, I didn't do it alone. Everyone has been so supportive and helpful. It's been really great."
"That's what family and friends do." He leaned up slightly, turning his head to catch her eye. "But, don't short change yourself in the credit department. You are the one doing all the hard work. Juggling studying, classes, working with Scott, the horses here and Fairfield." He listed, then paused, screwing up his lips, trying to remember. "And that, that test. Oh shoot. M something."
"M-CAT." She chuckled. "Yeah, glad that's over."
"Well, whatever it's called. You put a lot of time into that."
"Yeah." She nodded, acknowledging that fact, yet still worried if it was enough. "Hopefully I'll get a 475."
"When do you find out?" He asked.
"Next week sometime...around the same time I get my grades and find out..." She didn't finish her sentence, she didn't have to.
"It will be here before you know it." He offered.
"Not too soon, I hope. I still have to get through this week Two more days of class and finals. And, a ton of studying in between." She exhaled through pursed lips, the vibration sounding like a bit like a horse.
"You'll get through it all."
She gave a slow, deliberate nod, thinking back. "You know, I have enjoyed my classes so much more than I ever imagined. It's nothing like the crap we had to learn in high school."
"You don't say." He said with a smirk.
A sheepish smile morphed onto her lips. "It's just that now, everything is actually useful and interesting." She looked at him, sensing that she needed to explain. "Take camomile. Mom and I have used it for years to settle anxious horses because it works. But, now I know about its chemical properties and how those bind to receptors in the brain. How it reacts with other drugs. It's fascinating."
"Never too old to learn something new." He pontificated.
Amy looked at her grandfather. "And, this coming from a man who refuses to learn how to reset the Wi-Fi." She nudged his shoulder with hers.
"Don't have to. I have you and Simon to do that." He deadpanned, raising an eyebrow.
"True that." She conceded, rolling her eyes at his honesty.
"Speaking of learning, looks like that wildie of yours is coming along nicely." He deftly slipped into a new topic.
"Yeah, it took all summer, but Silvie's doing great with a saddle. And, she's so much fun to ride, especially in the wide open where she loves to go full throttle. She could run for days."
"So another trail horse for the dude ranch?" He guessed.
Amy shook her head. "Definitely not, unless we're itching for a lawsuit. Too much spirit for a novice."
"So. What's your plan then?"
"I want to find her a good home with an experienced rider." Amy sighed heavily, her shoulders sunk under an invisible weight.
"What's that for?" He glanced
"Alicia." She started. "She's fallen for Silvie and truthfully, Silvie is fickle for her. She's already offered to buy her."
"And, that's a problem?"
"Silvie's too much horse for her." She said without explanation.
"What happened when she tried to ride her?"
"She hasn't tried." She tried to explain. "I don't want her to fall off and get hurt."
"I see." He smoothed his mustache. "Well. You'll figure it out. You always do."
They lapsed back into a comfortable pause, taking in the expansive vista before them, fresh listening to the incessant buzz of bees and creaks of the cicadas. Soon, a plume of dust rose in the distance.
She squinted, trying to make out the vehicle coming down the dirt and gravel road. "Who's that?"
"Lisa. She called a little bit ago." Jack eyes brightened, leaning forward, anticipating her presence. As her vehicle approached, he rose from bench, with the eagerness of a man in love, to welcome his wife. A grin stretched wide across his face.
The SUV came to a slow stop, just in front of the wooden rail fence. The driver's side door opened, Lisa stepped out, grinning just as widely.
"Hello!" She called out, almost in song, her voice light and happy.
"Well hello Lisa!" Descending the steps with a bit of a spring, Jack met her halfway, greeting her with a hug and a kiss. "You are a sight for sore eyes." He murmured, his mustache tickling her ear, making her laugh.
"You're pretty fetching yourself, cowboy." She whispered back before pulling away slightly, wrapping her arm tightly around his. She waved to Amy as the two ascended stairs together, in synced step.
"Hey hon." Lisa's affection for her step-granddaughter evident in her voice and expression. The feeling was mutual.
"Hey Lisa." Smiling, Amy was standing now too, gave her a quick hug. The three formed a close knit circle, standing in the porch, its boards worn.
"Hey. Thanks again for taking a look at Drexel's Folly." Grateful, Lisa patted her upper arm for emphasis. "She's doing much better now."
"Glad to hear."
"Drexel's Folly? What happened?" His brushy brows lowered, he was concerned for the horse Lisa just purchased, at a sum significantly higher than he could even fathom or understand. "Wasn't she delivered this morning?"
"Yes, but within an hour, she became unsettled, anxious like. By ten, she was wild eyed, thrashing around in her stall. No matter what we did, we couldn't get her to calm down. Even in the field, she was bolting and bucking. I was afraid she'd hurt herself or one of the staff. I tried Scott, but he was on a field call. So I called Amy. She came over right after her class."
"What was the problem?" Jack looked to Amy.
She took the cue, adding to the story. "I examined her, but didn't find anything physically wrong except a slightly elevated heart rate so I chalked it up to change." She answered in professional yet matter of fact manner.
"Change?" He asked, not following her.
"Well, change anxiety to be precise. Drexel's Folly is one of those horses that doesn't do well with change of environment. She was anxious and acting out. So I suggested water therapy and camomile at night for a few days. She needs a safe way to release that excess energy and anxiety. Her training regime can start slowly in a couple of days when she gets acclimated."
"Once we got her in the hydro, it really helped. She so much more settled now." Lisa added. "You did wonders."
"Glad I was able to help. By the way, I called Scott to let him know. You know, in case something comes up...or there's something I missed."
"Thanks. I appreciate that. But, I think you identified the problem and solution." She smiled, then raised her brows. "Are you joining us for dinner?"
"I made chicken pot pie." Jack tried to entice her. "It's not half bad if I say so myself."
"Thanks, that sounds good, but I can't. I'm meeting Alicia at the Beet." Amy said, referring to their regular Monday dinner.
"Geez. Is it only Monday? Today felt like a week and a half long." Lisa bemoaned, then added. "Well, have fun."
"Thanks. She's going to help me with chemistry tonight. So, not sure it's gonna be all that much fun." She checked phone. "But, best be going. I have some studying to do first."
"Tell her hello from us." Lisa said.
"I will." She gave each a kiss on the cheek, Lisa first. "I'll see you around."
"Bye." The couple said in tandem, watching as Amy practically skipped down the stairs to the walkway then towards the barn, hatless, her long ponytail swinging behind her.
"She's doing so good, isn't she?" Lisa commented.
"Yeah, she is." He turned to his wife, tenderly placing a hand on each shoulder, then pulled her close. His lips found hers sweet and wanting as her arms slipped around his waist, pulling him even closer.
When they parted, with only a tiny bit of light between them, she murmured. "That was very nice, cowboy."
"Love you." He said, then tenderly kissed her forehead, folding his arms around her, gently swaying her body, back and forth in time with his.
"Mmm. Love you too." Still in his embrace, she sighed. "What do you say, we share some wine and take in this view before dinner?"
"Sounds good to me. Have seat. I'll get us each a glass. Pinot Gris good?"
"Perfect. Bring the whole bottle." She said seriously.
He chuckled. "That kind of day, huh?"
"You have no idea." She smirked.
"You got it." He kissed her cheek, then disappeared into the house. In the meanwhile, she took a seat on the bench, slipped off her shoes, tucking her feet under her.
Rejoining her on the porch, he handed her a glass of wine, then sat down next to her. Clinking their glasses, they each took a sip.
"Hmm, good." She said as they settled in, getting comfortable. His arm draped possessively around her shoulder, his calloused fingers lightly caressing her bare, soft arm. In response, her body leaned further into him, her shelter, her hand resting on his thigh, her thumb rubbing the softness of his worn jeans. They fit together, like yin and yang, opposite but interconnected forces, balancing each other out.
Slowly as they sipped their wine, enjoying each other's touch and presence, Jack could feel Lisa relax further against him, her body decompressing.
After refilling her glass, he asked. "So you want to tell me about your day?"
She sighed heavily. "Remind me never to hire an assistant right before I go out of the country." She started.
"You've said that every day since we returned from France. What did Liz do now?"
She reached down into her purse and pulled out a white envelop. "Look what I found between a stack of trade journals." She handed it to him.
"What's this?" He turned it over in his hand, looked at the return address.
"It's a thank you letter for my 20,000 donation to a wild horse education fund." She started.
"Mighty generous, Lis." He tilted his head toward her, his nuanced way of not directly questioning her financial decisions.
"No kidding. Here's the thing. I didn't make any donation of that size to any organization, certainly not that not one."
Perching his readers on the end of his nose, Jack read the envelop's return address. "Vancouver Animal Rescue?"
"Right. I've never heard of them." She said, completely forgetting that she actually had, more than two months prior, from the news story on Ty releasing the eagles.
"Hmmm." Jack grumbled, not making the connection either. He pulled the letter from the envelop, and began to read it aloud.
"Dear Ms. Stillman,
Thank you so much tor your very generous donation of 20,000 to the 2018 Wild Horse Externship for University of Calgary Veterinary Students led by the Vancouver Animal Rescue.
This exciting educational opportunity, given to 2 outstanding and deserving students, will immensely shape and refine their veterinary skills and experiences while working with and vetting several wild horse bands located around the world. Missions will be conducted in at least seven locations including Sundre, Chilcotin, and Sable Island in Canada, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Salt River, and Chincoteague in the United States, and Namibia in Africa.
Not only will your donation significantly and positively impact the students and their education, more importantly, it directly benefit the health and welfare of these magnificent, yet endangered wild horses. Further, your giving will heighten awareness and the need to preserve and protect these beautiful creatures for generations to come.
We sincerely appreciate your involvement, support and donation to the externship through the Alberta Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association (ATOBA), the University of Calgary Veterinary Medicine, and the Vancouver Animal Rescue.
If you have questions, would like follow-up information about our organization, the externship or the wild horses, or would like to make additional donations, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Please keep this for your records.
With Kind Regards
Mirna Hickerson, DVM
Vancouver Animal Rescue, Director
University of Calgary Veterinary Medical, Surgical Interim Chair
999-444-1121
RECEIPT
Donor: 237 Lisa Stillman
Date: May 9, 2028
Item: 30 Wild Horse Externship
Amount: 20,000.00"
"Sounds pretty official." Jack remarked.
"I thought so too. But, nowadays, scammers have become so clever. Everything they do is designed to look official." Her skepticism on full display.
He nodded in agreement.
"So I checked with Charles Morgan at the bank. He couldn't find any withdraws from any of my accounts for that amount, date or organization. I even had him look for multiple, unexplained withdraws to different organizations. Nothing. I checked with Jill in accounting too. Nothing. And, I even called Phil Ledbetter at ATOBA and they didn't have any record of that donation either."
"Did you call this person..." He looked at the letter again. "Mirna Hickerson?"
"No, not yet. I wanted to check with those others first. I doubt anyone will answer anyhow. It's probably a fake number."
"Well. It's an hour earlier in Vancouver. You should call now and find out." Jack suggested. "I know it's worrying you."
"It is. Do you mind?"
"Of course not. Go right ahead."
Pulling out her cell phone, she dialed the listed number from the letter. "I'm putting this on speaker. In case I need back-up." She told him.
Celina, hurriedly completing payment for four nonrefundable airline tickets to Chincoteague, answered on the third ring. "Hello Vancouver Animal Rescue. This is Celina. How may I help you?"
"Hello Celina. This is Lisa Stillman. May I please speak to Dr. Hickerson, please?" Lisa's demeanor was professional.
Celina recognized her name immediately. "Oh. Ms. Stillman. It's so wonderful to hear from you. Thank you for your very generous donation. We were honestly blown away." She gushed with excitement. "You probably want to know where things are with the externship. Well, including your incredible donation, we've been fortunate to raise over 30k. We completed the review of the 37 applicants for the externship, held interviews and selected two students, Henry Alt and David Hudson, both of which have excellent grades and qualifications. Our first mission to Chincoteague, Maryland is just next week. We are all very excited."
"Ah." Lisa didn't know what to say.
"I know Dr. Hickerson would love to talk with you, but she is at the University of Calgary today. But, I'll have her return your call as soon as possible." Celina continued without missing a beat. "In the meanwhile, is there something I can help you with?
"Ah, yes. I received your letter about the donation today."
"Just today?" Her voice echoed her surprise. "That's odd. I sent out the letters in May. We called to thank you immediately by phone but I believe you were out of the country. Please accept my apology for the delay."
"The delay was not your fault. It was my assistant...but never mind that. That's not why I'm calling."
"Oh. Okay. How can I help you then?" She asked again.
"There is a mistake with the donation." Lisa started. "Actually, I did not make a donation to your organization."
"Yes, that's correct. Your donation would have been made directly to the University of Calgary Veterinary Medicine, not to us." She explained.
"Celina. I checked with my banker and my accountant. I did not make a donation of 20,000 to the University, to your organization, or to any organization in the last year." Lisa was clear.
"I don't understand. The University has already sent us the funds and attributed the donation to you." She said, confused.
"The University must have made a clerical error then because I can assure you that I did not make a donation." Lisa was adamant.
With the realization that the funding for the externship was now in jeopardy, Celina's stomach rolled, the taste of bile raised up in her throat. She swallowed hard, pushing the retched fluid back down.
"Oh. I see." She tried her best to remain professional despite growing panic. "I will call the UCVM first thing in the morning and get this straightened out. I sincerely apologize for this mix-up."
"I appreciate that. Let me give you my direct number. Please call me as soon as you learn more." Lisa proceeded to give her number.
She repeated the number. "Thank you, Ms. Stillman. I will. Mirna will call you as well. I apologize again for the misunderstanding and inconvenience." Celina said, hung up then immediately called Mirna in tears.
Lisa put her phone away. "I feel awful."
"Why?"
"Externship sounds like a great opportunity for a couple of vet students to work with endangered wild horses around the world."
"Hmmphf." Jack groused under his breath, adding out of nowhere. "Sounds like something Ty would chase after."
Not hearing him, she ventured forth. "I can see Amy getting involved with something like that. Can't you?"
"Not if it's scam." Jack retorted.
"You heard what Celina said." Lisa used her given name as though they had become friends somehow. "The rescue and university are doing good work despite the glitch in bookkeeping."
"Maybe."
"You know, if Amy was one of those students, I could easily see myself making a donation to it." She projected.
"Ah Lis. You have a generous heart, maybe a tad too generous."
She smiled knowingly, then shrugged. "You must know by now, that's what I do for someone I love. And, I love Amy as if she were my own granddaughter."
"I know you do." He kissed her temple. "That's one of the many reasons that I love you."
"Love you more."
An hour later, over veggie burgers and salads, at an unusually busy and somewhat noisy Beet Cafe, Amy asked Alicia point blank. "So when am I going to meet Mouse?"
"Soon."
"You've been saying that for two months. I am beginning to wonder if he's just a figment of your wild imagination."
"Oh, he's very real." Alicia laughed. "And, incredibly handsome, intelligent, kind. And a great kisser. And, he has this way of..."
Amy cut her off. "Okay. Stop. What are you trying do? Make me jealous or make me lose my dinner?" She teased with a dramatic eye roll.
"Sorry. I get carried away." She tried to curb her enthusiasm. "It's that we only see each other on Fridays. And, you're so busy with school and work that night."
"So you're blaming me?" Amy replied sarcastically.
"You are busy on Fridays. Admit it." Alicia rationalized, then added. "If it makes you feel any better, I haven't introduced him to my parents either."
"Alicia. Your parents live in a different province. I'm your best friend."
"Okay. Okay. When we get back from vacation, I promise that I will introduce you."
"I'm holding you to that." Amy warned.
"Okay." Desperate to change the subject, Alicia asked. "Have you given Silvie any more thought?"
"Alicia. She's a wild horse." She deflected the question.
"That you have tamed and trained." She replied back, then pushed her case. "Look. My riding has come a long way. You said so yourself. If you don't want me to board her at Heartland, I already found another place who will take her." She knew that she was fighting a losing battle, then added. "And, I will up my offer by a thousand."
Amy sighed. "It's not the money."
"What then? You said we had a connection."
"You do. She needs more work." She fibbed, then delayed. "Let's talk about it after finals."
"Fine." The young doctor reluctantly agreed, but added a stipulation. "Promise me you will not sell her before then."
"Okay. Promise."
"Good."
They took a long draw of their iced tea, each contented with buying time, but for very different reasons.
"Can you believe in exactly one week, we will be soaking up the sun on the beach in North Carolina?" Alicia broke the pregnant pause in their conversation.
"I know. I am so excited." Amy was relieved to move on to another topic.
"Me too. It's gonna be heaven to put our toes in the sand, just hang out and do nothing."
Amy let out a happy exhale. "That does sound like heaven."
Alicia asked. "Are you packed yet?"
"Are you kidding? When do I have time to do that, not alone even thinking about what to pack?" Amy frowned. "Wait? Are you packed?"
"Pretty much." She said like it was as no big deal. "Well, other than a swimsuit. I still need to get a new one. Mine's kinda old and frumpy."
"I'm not even sure that I have one. But, geez. I can't believe you're already packed." She said, still stuck on packing.
"Well, I don't have to be in class all day and work and study all night." She empathized with her friend. "Want me to pack for you?"
"Absolutely!" She jumped at the suggestion, then thought better of it. "No. I can't ask you to do that."
"You didn't, I offered. Look. I'm headed to Calgary on Friday to get a swimsuit. Want me to pick up one for you too?"
"Really? Would you?"
"Of course."
"Actually, that would be great."
"What color?"
"Blue or turquoise. Maybe purple." Amy said. "Hey. If it's not too much trouble, could you get me one of those coverups too? I'm not sure how comfortable I'll be walking around in just a swimsuit."
"I can do that. Tell you what, I'll come by your loft Friday morning and see what you have. Throw it in your suitcase. You do have a suitcase, right?"
"Yeah. But Dad borrowed it a while ago. Not sure if he returned it." Amy admitted.
"No worries. I have an extra." Alicia assured her. "I'll pack what you have, and get the rest in Calgary."
"Are you sure?" Amy couldn't believe her fortune.
"Yes. I am sure. We can settle up later."
"Thank you. You have no idea what a load you took off my mind. Really. Thanks."
"No problem. Now, let's get back to Chemistry. Want to study here or at my apartment?"
"How about your place?" Amy suggested. "It's too noisy here."
"Let's go then." She signaled Samuel for the check.
Although Scott had given her time off to study, the rest of the week had been grueling for Amy. Between the last two days of class, studying, and finals, she was exhausted but didn't let up. Her last final in Chemistry was scheduled to start in less than two hours and she still had to drive to Calgary. She looked around the loft once more, checking to make sure she had what she needed for the exam and their trip. Alicia already had her suitcase as she was picking her up from campus after her exam to head to the airport.
Norton meowed, drawing her attention down to the floor. Over the summer, the scrawny kitten had grown into a lanky, handsome teenage cat, now more graceful than clumsy. She reached down, picking him up, holding him under his front legs, his nose to hers. His purr motor started to run.
"I'm gonna miss you, Norton. Simon promises he's going to take good care of you while I'm gone. Okay? Be good, my sweet boy." She kissed the top of his head, then tucked him under one arm, his favorite way to be held.
Sitting on the kitchen table, her phone vibrated, signaling a text. Stepping closer, she saw his text lit-up on the screen.
"Good Luck on your FINAL final. You'll do great." The text read.
She smiled. She wasn't surprised it was from Andrew. He had sent a text every morning of finals wishing her luck, which always seemed to precede an avalanche of nearly identical texts from family and friends.
"Thanks. Glad it's the FINAL one. Looking forward to Mill Spring." She typed, but did not hit Send until it passed the platonic sniff test, as Alicia called it. After weeks of awkward conversation intermixed radio silence following their break-up, they were finally in a better spot, able to resume a casual friendship, mostly in the form of texts. Sniff test passed, she hit Send.
"Me too. Don't forget the Maple Leaf." He reminded her.
"Shoot!" She muttered as she dialed her Grandfather's number.
"Good morning Amy. All ready?"
"Almost. Grandpa, where's flag? I promised Andrew I'd bring it to the games." She cut to the chase.
"Hmm." He said aloud as he thought. "Well. Did you check the Quonset hut?"
"No. Where would I look?" Her heart rate quickened.
"Well. It's probably on one of the shelves." He paused. "Or in one of those cardboard boxes. Wait. No, I think I put it in one of those cedar chests. It's been a while since we flew it." He explained.
"Can you help me look? I have my chemistry final this morning and I can't be late." She was getting more than anxious.
"You got it. I'll meet you there in 5 or so minutes. Got to get my boots on."
"Thanks Grandpa." As she disconnected the call, her phone vibrated in her hand. Alicia had sent a text, wishing her well on her exam. Two seconds later, an almost identical text came from Lou.
She shoved her unanswered phone into her backpack, then slung it over her shoulder. With Norton in her arms, she exited the loft, closing the door with a little more force than anticipated, rattling the pictures on the wall. Bolting down the loft stairs, she almost ran smack into Simon at the bottom.
"Oh! Hey Simon." She said, startled to see him standing there,
"Hey Amy. All set?" He replied, especially chipper for that time of morning.
"I think so. Here, take Norton." She passed the cat to him. "Thanks for taking care of him. And, well...everything." Flustered, she waved her hand around indicating everything in the barn.
"No problem. I got you covered." He tried to reassure her.
"Okay. Thanks. Um. Text me if you need anything. Anything at all. Anytime. Really. Okay?" Her words tumbled out of her mouth quickly as her mind raced, trying remember what she wanted to tell him.
"I will. But, don't worry." He said following her as she walked aimlessly around the barn.
"Grandpa has a spare key to the loft, if you need anything up there." She peered briefly into the office, then into the feed area, before moving to Spartan and Harley's side by side stalls.
"Okay. But I doubt I will."
"And. Don't forget to exercise Spartan and Harley together. They like that. Okay?" She reached out a hand to each horse. "Don't let anyone ride them. Well, you can. Maybe pony them instead."
"I will. Don't worry. And, I promise to feed them too." He teased.
Not catching his words, she didn't respond. Instead, she gave a quick goodbye to Harley and Spartan, kissing each on the nose. "Simon's going to take good care of you both. Be good. I'll see you in a week."
Turning to Simon, she said again. "Thanks for everything Simon."
"Really. No problem." He said.
"Okay. I gotta go and find that darn Canadian flag. I can't be late for that test." Her voice showed her panic as she hurried toward the open barn door.
"I can help." He offered, putting Norton down. "Where are you looking?"
"Grandpa thinks it's somewhere in the Quonset hut." She said over her shoulder as she disappeared into the morning light. Catching up to her, together they jogged to the hut, where the door was already rolled up, overhead lights on.
Inside, Jack was bent over an old cedar chest, searching through it. "Hey Grandpa. Simon came to help. Find it yet?" Amy hoped as they walked in.
"Not yet. But it's here somewhere. Look in those boxes over there." He said, his voice gruff from the dust, pointing towards the opposite wall.
Then she noticed Lisa, when she sneezed, opening the lid of a metal trunk. "Oh Lisa. I didn't see you there."
Still dressed in her robe and slippers, Lisa wiggled her nose, then smiled. "Thought you could use some help, sweetie."
"Thanks." She tried to return the smile.
As all four carried on with their search, Amy's phone vibrated randomly in her backpack that she left by the door.
"Need to get that?" Jack suggested, a bit annoyed. "It might be important."
"I will later." Amy said as she opened a cardboard box.
In the next chest he opened, Jack found the flag, crumpled and unfolded on top. "Found it. But who in the world shoved in here like this?"
"Oh. Thank god." Amy said, closing up the box she was searching.
Jack stood up, shaking out the rumpled flag, releasing a myriad of dust particles to dance in the air. "It's a little wrinkled and worn." He admitted as he inspected it. "No real holes to speak of."
"It will have to do." Amy said, stooping to pick up her backpack. "I can put it in here."
"It'll smooth out if we fold it." Jack suggested.
"Let me help you." Simon said, grabbing the other end of the flag. Amy watched anxiously as the men respectfully smoothed and folded the flag.
Handing her the flag, Jack leaned over and hugged her tightly. "Now I want you to be careful on your trip."
"I will." She promised.
He kissed the top of her head before he released her. "But. Have fun. You deserve this. You've worked hard."
As she stuffed the flag in her backpack, Jack pulled an envelop from his back pocket then handed it to her
"What's this?" She looked at him.
He held out his hand to Lisa, drawing her near. "It's a little something from Lisa and me. Kinda of a celebration gift." Glancing at Lisa, he added. "It was Lisa's idea."
"We want you to know how proud we are of you." Lisa said, her eyes sparkling.
"Oh..." Her eyes misted as she hugged Lisa around the waist. "Thank you."
Jack's eyes became dewy too. "Now you go on. You have an exam to ace."
"Love you both." She said quietly.
"And, we love you." He murmured.
"Have fun Amy. Don't worry about a thing." Simon said.
"Thanks Simon. I couldn't have done this semester without you. Mr. Glass Half Full. You are the best." She reached over, gave a hug, surprising him.
"Um. No problem." He said, suddenly shy and awkward.
"You better go, Amy. You don't want to be late." Jack said.
They all walked her to truck, parked in front of the barn.
"I started her up this morning. No problem. She's good to go." Simon mentioned as Amy got behind the wheel.
Turning the key, Old Blue came to life without hesitation. Relived, Amy shut the door, rolled down her window. "Bye. Love you!" She waved, then drove away, toward Calgary and her exam.
At precisely 9:15 am, Professor Brownstein called time. "Students. Put your pencils down and turn in your exams."
One by one, students filed past her desk, placing their test in the wire basket with the others, and into the hallway. Soon sounds of relief and exasperation expressed in hoots, screams and laughter erupted in the hall. As Amy deposited her exam, a rush of relief mixed with exhaustion hit her. Out in the hall with her study group, now good friends, she started to giggle, then laugh almost uncontrollably, tears rolling down her cheek.
Worried Emma touched her arm, pulled her aside. "Amy. Are you okay?"
Amy grinned. "Yes! Yes! I'm just so happy. I actually did it. I finished my first semester of college. I can't believe it."
Emma hugged her. "Congratulations. But, I'm not sure why you're so surprised. You've aced practically every exam."
Amy confessed in a whisper. "I was a horrible student in high school."
"Who wasn't?"
The four friends headed outside, into the sunshine, to compare notes.
"What did put for that last question?" Jason asked.
"Hybridization." Mary answered.
"Good. That's what I put too." Jason said as the other two nodded.
"Did you get the one on Madgeburg Experiment?" Emma asked.
"Yeah. It's the one with the iron sphere and 24 horses that couldn't pull it apart." Amy replied.
"Shoot. Missed that one." Emma muttered, frowning.
"How about Graham's Law of Diffusion?" Mary asked.
"The rate of diffusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of the molar mass of the gas." Amy answered confidently.
"That's what I put too." Mary sounded relieved.
"Me too." Jason almost squealed in delight. "What about.."
"Okay. Enough about the exam. I'm so over it." Emma said. "Let's talk about something better. Like break. What are you doing, Jason?"
Jason looked at Mary, who nodded. "Mary invited me to come home with her and meet her parents." He kissed her cheek.
"Well, it's about time!" Emma rolled her eyes. "You two have been so obvious."
"Really? We thought we did a good job hiding it." Jason seemed surprised as the other two grinned.
"We're definitely happy for you two." Amy said sincerely. "But, we're known for some time."
"Tellement amoureux!" Emma added.
Mary blushed, then changed the subject. "Um. What beach are you going to Amy?"
"Somewhere in North Carolina on the Outer Banks. I don't remember the name of it. Then we're going to Mill Spring to watch the World Equestrian Games."
"Oh that's right. The handsome Andrew Pierson is competing. Ooh la la." Emma winked at Amy who rolled her eyes.
"How about you, Emma? Big plans at home?" Jason asked.
"Well, my cousin, Claire, who works for Vets Without Borders, is coming home from Mongolia. So, it will be fun to hang out with her before she goes on her next mission in the states."
"What kind of mission?" Jason asked.
"Well, in Mongolia, she was working with the Gobi Bears. My mom said that the next one was somewhere on the east coast, I think. I'm not sure."
Right on time, Alicia, sporting sunglasses, pulled up to the sidewalk in her car and waved. Amy waved back.
"That's my ride to the airport." She hugged everyone, then hopped into the passenger seat.
"Ready for some sun and fun?" Alicia asked.
"Absolutely." Amy said enthusiastically, then suddenly yawned. "Sorry."
Alicia looked at her, frowned. "You better get all your sleep out of your system on the plane. We have a fabulous trip with lots of activities planned for us." She warned.
She chuckled, replying with a salute. "Yes ma'am."
Hello Readers. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. SBR