Chapter 4
As they were distracted the day before by Cloister, Amy had not taken Lisa into the third barn and her eyes opened wide at the sight she beheld this morning. There was shiny stainless steel everywhere, each stall set up ready for seemingly anything they could encounter. There were several horses in slings clamped to various places on their bodies. There seemed to be a person assigned to every horse.
"This is something to see isn't it."
"My pride and joy Lisa, we designed it. The stalls are completely adjustable, the sling system can literally lift a horse right off the ground with no effort. There is a full time aide on duty for each 4 horses 24 hours a day. Every stall can be monitored by video camera and has a full medical array hook up to a main station. We can X-ray, scan or use a portable MRI in any stall. Oxygen and water taps in every stall and a Vet on duty here, 24 hours a day as well. Any two stalls can become a closed off sterile surgical theatre. Fully heated and A/C'd when needed, fully generator backed up and it has the safest fire system available.
This is the finest equine treatment and post surgical facility anywhere that I know of. When the surgery building is complete we will be able to transfer a horse from here to there and back again by sling or trolly without it ever touching the floor."
"Amy ? Got a minute, John's on the phone with Patrick. I have the X-rays."
"John Hamilton Vet, Lisa Stillman, Horse Breeder and Grandmother, come on Lisa, I'll introduce you to John and Patrick."
"It's about Prince Amy."
"The jig is up John, she's seen him and Cloister, Gran remember ?"
"Ya, sorry, it's just with these two, now ?"
"We're good, hey John, Patrick, I'd like you to meet my grandmother Lisa Stillman."
"Ma'am good to meet you" they both said.
Lisa watched as Amy examined the x-rays on a screen and then on the large acetate.
"That shadow is swelling, we have to get that down to see if there's a chip, massage and ice that leg on and off every 30 minutes, when the swelling is down, reshoot the leg. Has Bert seen these John ?"
"He has and agrees, he doesn't see anything and none of us do either, from these shots we see no damage to the bone."
"There's no fracture John unless there's something under that swelling. Give us 24 hours and we'll revisit this, I am not having my people do anything to that leg until we know what's up."
"Whatever you say Amy, you're in charge. So you took place in the derby yesterday I hear. Wait Stillman, Fairfield Stables ?"
"Yes, that's right"
"My dad and your dad did business years ago. I was young and you possibly were just married. Hartman, heart attack, I'm sorry."
"Hartfield."
"Bingo !"
"But you're a "Bartlett-Fleming" he whispered.
"And Lisa is officially Lisa Stillman Bartlett, she divorced Dan years ago. Lisa was my first client and chased grandpa for years until she landed him."
"A story for late night in front of the fire." John said.
"I look forward to it, perhaps at Fairfield one day ?"
"Sounds like fun, maybe during the stampede Amy keeps threatening me with. It was a pleasure meeting you Lisa, take care Amy, we're off to Dallas for the bball."
"Have fun kids !" She laughed cutting the connection.
"I've ordered the treatment, standard soak ?"
"Yup, let me know if something comes up, anyone else I need to look at John ?"
"No, I think we're all status quo for now."
"Alright Doc, I'm heading into Ithaca for a little while, you can get me on the phone."
"Mind if I tag along, the pictures make it a quaint town ?"
"I love Ithaca, sort of hippyish which is fine for me, I just have to stop at the Foundation office for a few minutes to sign some stuff. We can walk a little after. Let me stop and check on my merry band of miscreants and we can head out."
The kids were not out yet when Amy and Lisa left earlier but were now and rushed over for hugs and kisses.
"You going into town mom ? Can I come."
"Sorry JT not this time, Lisa's coming and you've got chores. How about we all trail ride a little later, you can ride with your great grandfather."
"That'll be great mom, how many more are coming ?"
"From what my birdies tell me maybe one more. I'd say Monday or Tuesday. Betty have someone open the guest cottage please."
"I thought Lisa and Jack are staying here ?"
"They are but when our other visitor shows the guest house will be perfect. Lisa, get a pair of flats on please."
Amy came out of her room a little while later wearing saddle tan chaps over her jeans and a matching light leather jacket. She handed a black one to Lisa.
"What's this for ?" She asked lacing up her boots.
"It goes with the helmet."
"You don't"
"Have a motorcycle collection ? Yes she does." Betty said laughing.
"Collection ?"
"Not a collection, some and some are officially the kids and one is Betty's actually."
"Lead the way, your grandfather will never believe this."
"How many ?" Lisa asked on the way to the 4 door garage.
"Six, just 6."
"Then let's call it the start of a collection, just between us."
"Deal" Amy said as the door opened.
"Is that ?"
"Ty's Norton ? Nope it's mine." She said handing Lisa a helmet and climbing on her custom painted 57 Indian Scout and made room for Lisa. It was done in a dark deep purple with matte black powder coating over the chrome. Amy's helmet matched the finish and Lisa smiled when she looked at the back. "Miracle Girl" was painted along the back of her helmet.
Amy took it easy on Lisa, she'd had the Scout up over 100 more than once but today kept it to the law, 55, at least she tried.
"Why don't you go deal with your business and I'll wander."
"Nonsense, this won't take long, just setting aside funds for the foundation to use."
"Foundation that's the second time you've said that ?"
"Ah yes, well, while Pegasus is a wholly owned corporation there is also the Pegasus Foundation that spends our money so to speak. We have Pegasus Special Needs centers all across the country that have horses we train and supply. It's completely free, all paid for by the foundation. Autistic kids, Down's Syndrome, mentally or physically challenged or just city kids out for a few days with nature, the elderly, insecure. We have several levels for horse adoptions that start with free and the next level is expenses only or a percentage. The balance is covered by the foundation as are vet services provided for those that don't have the wherewithal. We also train horses for the blind, for the elderly and Para horses."
"Doesn't sound cheap."
"Neither are our services."
"How much does it cost to fix a triple crown winner ?"
"Two million dollars and 2 straws per crown."
"You have 6 viable samples ?"
"So they say, got a promising mare ?"
"Partners ?"
"Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Then yes I do and they will make absolutely beautiful babies."
"I love beautiful babies, you should have seen JT, I fell in love with him the second I held him Lisa, he smiled that little smile and took my finger, so frail and so much pain for such a little body to bear. You have no idea how proud I am of him."
She stopped and collected herself before opening the door. Lisa watched the transformation from worried mom in an instance, after a deep breath, head held high and smiling, she followed Lisa in.
"Hey Amy, they're inside waiting, I'll bring in a fresh pot and I assume they left the bear claw."
"Thanks Bridge, Oh Bridget Murphy, this is Lisa Stillman , Bridget deals with all my correspondence and takes care of me on the side, watches my back."
"Nice to meet you ma'am, here are your calls and accounts Amy. He's on the move again."
She was handed a folder that she opened for a second and then headed down the hall.
They walked along and stopped by a door that read "Pegasus Foundation."
Amy walked in and several people nodded good mornings. She walked back to a large office with huge windows onto a beautiful garden and dropped the folder.
"Nice digs."
"I may have sat in that chair 10 times, I come in, drop my stuff on the desk, meet, sign, get my stuff and leave, all this is someone else's problem. I'm putting you on the Board of Directors effective immediately Lisa, welcome to Pegasus, I'll have them send you the big packet of glossy shit to read."
"uhm thanks I think."
"You think ? We meet quarterly somewhere in North America and once a year in Europe, the board and regional people, I can go out into the world more easily now so maybe Paris or Milan for Fashion week ?"
"Yes, I accept." Lisa said laughing "Can I spoil the kids by the way, just a little ?"
"If you can come up with a way to spoil my brood more than I do, go for it."
Amy led Lisa down a short hallway and opened one side of a double door that read Board of Directors. Lisa noticed that she did not knock, this Amy Fleming or Flamande was not the one that walked away 8 years ago.
"Boys, how's life ?"
"Morning Amy" a middle aged man with graying temples in a polo under a blue sports coat looked up smiling.
"Trevor Margolies, meet Lisa Stillman, my grandmother. I'd like her on the board Trev, at least one of us should have integrity."
"So, this is all over, the Flamande thing ?"
"All done."
"Interviews ?"
"Nothing will change Trev, I may not shy from the public but I really don't want the attention either."
"Lisa, Trevor is my crafty attorney, no one else would hire him. The quiet, devious, thieving one over there in the suit is Charlie Rogers who takes care of the booty."
"It's a pleasure Mrs. Stillman, I'll need a business card or something similar when you get a chance and there are some forms we'll get for you another time. Are we ready Amy ?"
"Sure Charlie what are we doing ?" Amy reached over and grabbed a chocolate topped bear claw, took a big bite and then sucked the chocolate from her fingers before slurping piping hot coffee.
"Right now I'm trying to imagine how you ate as a child, and it's scary Amy, very scary."
Lisa chuckled "I could tell you some stories."
"Just one, amuse us Lisa ?" Charlie said putting down his pen.
"Here we go." Trevor said laying his face on his palm.
Lisa giggled at the expression.
"Who did you stab with your fork, Peter ?"
Amy laughed, "we went for the last piece of chicken which I ate while my sister bandaged his hand. I used a fork, he didn't."
"Seems almost staid compared to breakfast in the French countryside and your dunking and slurping."
"Fun group you've assembled." Lisa said smiling.
"Do you want to see these now Amy, I sent the file to your email ?"
" How about broad strokes Charlie."
"37 centers fully funded and working so far this summer, 5 more on August 1st."
"No more ? Do we have horses ?"
"All up and good, that's our limit at this point 50 just wasn't in the cards. We'll open more next year Amy and the two new ranches to the public."
"And here ?"
"12 helpers a week as you've seen and the interns."
"Ok then."
"Sign and please read them, there are cute questions you need to answer tucked away inside as a test."
"I'll read them Charlie, I promise."
"I know you will Amy, plans for the weekend ?"
"I'm going to ravage my long away fiancé when he finally gets here and the Classic."
"Sounds messy, I'm sure you'll do well."
"I'm an officer of the court and it's almost condoning an employment harassment crime listening to you two. I heard you have a date for the last surgery Amy, we're all rooting for you."
"Thanks Trev, I have a good feeling about this."
"I've learned to trust those. I'll see you Sunday if you're around, kids want to swim in the grotto."
"Charlie, Trevor, a pleasure as always."
"It was good meeting you both, oh and here's my card Charlie."
"Fairfield Stables. Fairfield Flyer was yours ?"
"Yes actually."
"Nice horse."
"Oh, thanks."
Amy stopped at the office and grabbed her folder, they took their jackets and walked out.
"Interesting meeting."
"We're not fancy and neither of those two need to work, they do this to get out of the house and do good works, both adore horses. Charlie ran a hedge fund and will literally bet on anything, I met Trev in Mexico City at an illegal horse race."
"Illegal horse race ?"
"To be fair Trev acted as intermediary when my people came in to, let's call it free the oppressed. We sort of had to skirt the border patrol and the Mexican Federales. By the way, that Charlie even mentioned Flyer was high praise, he's a connoisseur of the finest racing flesh."
"Good to hear."
Amy stopped then and looked at her, "I should be honest with you Lisa, I am not a fan of cloning horses, it's something we need to discuss another time."
"Honest is always best."
"Wait I need to stop and get an appointment." She said cutting into a beauty spa.
"Hey Amy."
"Tomorrow morning Tres ?"
"8:00 ?"
"Perfect, hair, nails, legs."
"The rest ?"
"He likes the rest."
"Really! Good for you, all set up Amy." She said laughing and almost jealous.
"Lisa, can I interest you in a little beauty ?"
"What's this all about ?"
"Ty's coming."
