Amy's Friday
For the entirety of the hour long drive from Calgary to Hudson, his hand rested on her bare knee, his thumb slowly caressing her skin, soft and smooth. And, her small, warm hand rested lightly upon his.
Since leaving the city lights behind, she had fallen asleep, exhausted by the long day and the evening's festivities. She was curled into the passenger seat, turned toward him as he drove straight south on AB-2. The streetlights dotting their route illuminated her face periodically, dancing off her hair, highlighting her loveliness. In those moments, he gazed sideways, stole glimpses of her. He couldn't help but smile.
Golden tendrils framed her face, a few strands strayed across her cheek. Her blue eyes were closed, resting behind tender lids and long lashes. Although deep in sleep, her lips, their subtle softness and rosy hue, upturned into a contented, knowing smile. Even in her sleep.
Well after midnight, Andrew returned to her home, guiding the black Porsche SUV through the Heartland entrance, toward the barn where he parked in front of its main door. He cut the quiet engine, unbuckled his seatbelt, then leaned over to undo hers. His face was just inches away from hers. He paused to take her in, his fingers brushed the wayward strands away from her cheek. Her long eyelashes began to flutter, her eyes rolled under their lids. She seemed to be surfacing from her deep sleep. Murmuring something, a short, girlish giggle erupted.
Whispering her name, he hoped to wake her.
Instead, she shifted away from him slightly, arching her back, stretching, inhaling then exhaling deeply with an audible "Mmmm". Sinking back into her dream, she turned away, before her breathing resumed its natural rhythm.
"Bébé." He whispered again. "We're home. Please wake-up." She didn't stir. He chuckled to himself.
He exited the vehicle, walking around to the passenger side, opened the door. He bent down, kissed her lips. She sighed.
Placing one arm under her knees, the other around her back, he lifted her to him. She curled into him clutching her tiny purse, her head nestled into his shoulder. As he closed the SUV's door with his hip, his fingers grasped her waist, tickling her, causing her to jerk away slightly, giggle.
"That tickles." She mumbled, clearly still asleep.
He chuckled as he repositioned her in his arms.
"Hey!" She giggled in her sleep again. "Stop that! You're tickling me!.." Sleep muffled, distorted her thoughts, her words.
Clear as day she said his name. "Ty."
He froze, uncertain that her had heard correctly. He shook his head to dispel his name left hanging there.
"Amy. It's me. Andrew." He reminded her.
"Hmmmm." Her head still nestled into him.
"Amy." He said a little louder. "Wake up. Please..."
Before he could finish his sentence, the barn door roared opened, Simon came barreling out.
"Amy! Thank god you're home. Hurry, it's Spartan. Something's wrong." Upset, his voice was loud, urgent, his face flushed.
She woke immediately, pushing out of Andrew's arms, onto her feet. Her purse fell to the ground, unnoticed. "Spartan?" Her eyes wide, she implored. "What's wrong? What happened?"
"Come look at him!" Simon urged.
She ran into the barn, straight to his stall. At the sight of him, her breath caught. His ears pinned back as his head hung low over his stall door. Froth clung to his lips, salvia drooled excessively from his mouth, almost in a continuous stream, forming puddle on the barn floor.
"Spartan. Oh my beautiful boy. Tell me, what's wrong?" She asked as calmly as she could muster, her shaking hand reached to pet his muzzle. He jerked away, tossing his head to avoid her touch, slinging slobber across her dress. "Oh Spartan. You're hurting."
She looked to Simon, implored him. "Simon? What happened?"
"Honestly Amy. I don't know." Rattled, he shook his head back and forth as he tried to explain, his words tumbling out. "He was fine at dinner and night check. He didn't eat much but I just thought he grazed during your ride and wasn't hungry." His voice tightened. "He wasn't drooling or foaming. I swear. Not at dinner or night check. I just came back to check on Maggie May and I found him like this..."
"Simon. I'm just glad you found him." She paused, then asked gently. "Are the other horses okay?"
"I checked on them. It's only Spartan."
"Okay good. Did you call Scott?"
"No. I wanted to talk to you first. I tried to call but you didn't pick up." He explained. "I left a voice mail."
"Shoot. I turned my phone off at the dinner." She touched his shoulder, tried to reassure him. "It's okay. Scott will know what to do."
Simon nodded.
"Wait. What did I do with my purse?" She suddenly realized she didn't have it.
"I'll check in the SUV." Andrew offered, hustled out.
"You can use my phone." Simon offered, dialed Scott's number, then handed it to her.
"Thanks." She accepted his phone.
"That's odd. He's not answering." Instead, her call went straight to his call service so she left a message for him to call back.
She said with a heavy sigh. "Okay, guess we're on our own."
She straightened, made a beeline into the office with Simon on her heels. Sitting at her mother's desk, she opened the laptop, then clicked on the DVM icon on the desktop, the one Ty had installed some years back. Though she had seen him use it many times, she never actually used the software herself. Until this moment, when it came to Spartan's physical ailments she had always relied on a vet. Or a vet in training.
"Hey. Found your purse in the ground." Andrew said as he walked into the office.
"Thanks." Brows knitted, she looked up only briefly from the screen. "I am hoping this vet application will help us figure out what is wrong." Staring at the screen, she waited for the tool to open. "Alright. It's up." Her lips pursed as she scanned the home page.
"Hmm. Oh. Here's the Menu." She said, pressed the mouse key. Click.
"Good. Here's an option that says Symptoms and Conditions." Click.
"Animal? Easy one. Horse." Click.
"Major Body Part?" She wrinkled her nose. "It could be his stomach. Or maybe it's his head?" She shrugged. "I'll start with Head." Click.
"Okay. Check Symptoms." Click. She scrolled through the symptoms listed.
"Appetite-Diminished or Lost." Click.
"Head-Sensitive to Touch." Click.
"Head-Tossing." Click.
"Mouth-Excessive Salivation. For certain." Click.
"Mouth-Frothing." Click.
"Mouth-Odor? Simon does his breath smell bad?"
His shoulders shrugged. "I didn't notice."
"Me neither. Skip that one then. Search." Click.
The application returned a listing of twelve possible conditions. "Dang. There's a bunch of possibilities." She huffed, pushing the wisps of hair out of her way. "Okay. Dental Issues is ranked first. So let's go with that." Click.
"Check mouth for injury, lacerated tongue, broken or missing teeth, ulcers, packed food, etc."
"What do you need us to do?" Andrew asked, Simon nodded.
"Um. We need to loosely halter him." Amy instructed, then she added. "He's not going to like me rooting around in his mouth."
"Right. I'll get a halter and a lead." Simon volunteered. "Anything else?"
"Um, a bucket of water and small towel or two?"
"Yep." Simon left the office.
"What about a flashlight?" Andrew asked as he shed his suit jacket and rolled his sleeves.
"Good idea." Reaching for a headlamp on the bookshelf, she strapped it on her head, centering it just above her brow.
"Might as well wear gloves too." She said, plucking latex gloves from a box on the shelf.
"Don't forget your phone." He pointed to the desk.
"Right. Could you put it in your pocket?" She handed to him. "I don't have anywhere to stash it."
All three met at Spartan's stall.
"Ready?" She asked. They both nodded.
"Okay Spartan. I need to look in your mouth to figure out what's wrong. So you're gonna have to trust me. Okay?" She spoke to him softly, looking into his eyes, stroking his forehead, his locks. Slowly she lifted the halter over his head, loosely secured it.
"Good boy." She cooed as she tenderly wiped his face and mouth with a wet towel.
Looking at the two men, she said. "I need you both to steady him, especially his head...Here." She handed each a pair of blue latex gloves, then stretched a pair over her hands.
"Okay Spartan, I am going start on your left side to check your lips, gums, teeth, and your cheek. I'll be careful and try not to hurt you. Promise."
Tilting her head towards Spartan's mouth, she turned on the headlamp, gently lifted his top left lip.
He snapped a picture.
"Really Simon?" She complained to him.
"Need to chronicle your early work as a vet." He said seriously.
Rolling her eyes, she went back to her exam. "Think I found a problem. Look at that." She pointed to a small raw, red ulcer above a left tooth on the top.
Simon leaned in. "Looks bad." He snapped another picture. "I can send that to Scott."
"Good idea. Looks sorta furry on that one side, doesn't it?" She frowned, continued her examination, moving slowly from top to bottom, left to right.
On the right side, she found another ulcer, this time on his inner cheek. "Ugh. This one is bad too." She sighed, barely noticing Simon taking another picture. "Andrew. Could you reach in and grab his tongue? I want to look around some more."
"Of course. Just say when." He said confidently, having done it plenty of times before.
She spoke calmly to Spartan, explained what was going to happen. Then she nodded to Andrew.
He slid his gloved hand into the right side of Spartan's mouth, behind his teeth, pulling his thick long tongue to the right, outside of his mouth. Spartan's drool followed down his forearm, down his sleeve, but Andrew held firm, didn't flinch.
She leaned closer, focused the light around the inside of his mouth. "Okay. He has another ulcer there, under his tongue. And it looks like there's something in there. See that." She pointed to the pin-like protrusions. This time she moved aside for Simon to photograph it.
Andrew leaned in, remarked. "Yeah. It looks like a wheat shaft."
"Yeah. It does..." She inspected the roof of his mouth. "There's one there too. It's really inflamed too." She ran the back of her hand along Spartan's neck. "Poor baby." Another snap.
"Amy. It's Scott." Simon said, handing the phone to her.
"Andrew. Go ahead and release his tongue." She said, then answered the call.
"Hello Scott...oh Cas?! Hey. I was expecting Scott...Sorry to wake you." Surprised, Amy listened. "Oh. He is? Okay... Yes Spartan. He's drooling, frothing at the mouth, he's not eating. He has four open ulcers on the inside of his mouth; one on his left upper gum, one on his right inner cheek, one under his tongue and one on his roof."
Amy talked to Cassandra for several minutes describing what she saw, how Spartan was reacting, what she had done so far.
"Pictures? Okay. Hold on." She handed the phone back to Simon. "Simon could text Cas the pictures of Spartan's mouth?"
He handed the phone back. "Get the pics?..Good." She mouthed "Thanks" to Simon, then put the phone back to her ear to await instructions.
"Foxtail?" She listened, as the vet described the problem and the treatment, interjected occasionally. "Painful?...oh poor Spartan...Okay, remove them..How?...yes, saline...on each ulcer...oh stinging...yes, tweezers... I will try. Oh, thank you...Yes. I will. Tomorrow then."
She gave the phone back to Simon. "Well, she says it's the thistle from foxtail."
"What's that?" Simon asked.
"It's this weed with a prickly seed head. Cas thinks it's either in the fields or in our hay. Seeing none of the other horses are showing symptoms, it's probably out there in the field."
Simon asked. "So. What do we do?"
"Get the barbs out of his mouth. So, we need saline solution, a syringe, tweezers and paper towels."
"I'll get them." Simon offered.
She looked down at her outfit, already smeared and stained with drool and froth, frowned. "I am a mess. Guess I owe Alicia a new dress and shoes."
"Amy. You are gorgeous...no matter what you wear." He leaned in, kissed her temple tenderly.
She gave him a half-hearted smile.
"You know. You never cease to amaze me." He said. "I am very proud of you."
She looked to one side, blushed. "Thank you."
Returning with supplies, Simon asked. "What do you need us to do?"
Getting serious again, she reviewed the plan. "Cas says this may take a bit of time. First, we flush each ulcer with the saline. She says that will sting and burn." She sighed. "But, it will help release the barbs. I'll use tweezers to pluck the barbs out. Unfortunately, the barbs are like fishhooks so it's probably gonna hurt him. Maybe bleed." She glanced at Spartan, pressing her lips. "So, I need you two to hold him steady."
"Poor Spartan." Simon uttered.
"I know. But he's going feel better soon. Right Spartan?" She rubbed Spartan's forehead, ran her fingers through his locks and mane. "Ready? Might as well get started."
With each squirt of the saline syringe, Spartan grunted, jerked, and tried to pull away. Though bothered to see him like that, she steeled her spine, remained calm, pushed forward, soothing him with her voice. As soon as he settled, Amy worked the tweezers to meticulously remove the tiny barbs implanted in the raw ulcers, trying to be gentle, trying not to draw blood. The painstaking task was tedious, exhausting, took well over two hours of her focused attention and their combined efforts to steady him. In the end, a final cool water rinse with camomile helped to calm the exhausted horse.
"We'll need to check him a couple of times a day for the next few days. Apparently barbs will continue to surface from the ulcers." She petted Spartan. "You are my brave boy. Aren't you?"
The grueling work behind them, the three, drained and filthy, collapsed onto hay bales, their backs against the wall.
"You guys were great. Thank you." Sitting in between the other two, Amy patted their knees. "But, now we all need to get some sleep."
Nearly 3:00 am, Amy walked Andrew out to the SUV, gave him good night peck. "Thank you."
"I wish you'd let me stay and help." He said again.
"I'm going to stay in his stall tonight. And, there's not enough room for all three of us." She tried to explain. "You need your sleep. And, there's Dad."
"Right. Tim." He kissed her forehead. "You were great tonight Bébé. I am so proud of you."
He hugged her one more time, then got into Lisa's SUV, started the engine and drove away. She watched until the red glow of taillights disappeared through the Heartland gate.
Returning to the barn, she found Simon standing in front of Spartan's stall, staring at him laying on his side in deep sleep. He slowly shook his head back and forth. "I feel so bad for him."
"Me too. But he's gonna recover and be fine." She lightly punch his bicep. "Simon. I am so glad that you were here. That you noticed...You know, we make a great team."
"Amy. You did it. You were so calm and cool."
"We did it." She smiled wearily.
"Yeah, well...it was mostly you. I'm gonna take off. See you in the morning."
"Sleep well." She suggested. "And, sleep in."
He nodded, then left the barn, closing the door behind him.
She thought about changing, but the dress was clearly ruined anyhow. Instead she grabbed an old blanket, entered his stall, laid down next to him. Only then did she let her guard down. Her eyes filled with tears, a few overflowed her lashes.
"My poor Spartan." She sniffled. Moments later with her head on his shoulder, she fell into an exhausted sleep.
"Oh my god. Amy what happened?" Georgie said loudly, waking her. She stood peering into the stall, the morning light streaking through the open barn door behind her.
Blanket wrapped around her, Amy sat up in the stall, her eyes barely opened. Spartan was still laying on his side, breathing regularly. She sighed as she ran her hand along his side.
"Late night emergency. A bunch of foxtail thistles tore up the inside of his mouth. We had to remove them."
"Is Spartan okay?" Georgie asked, now worried.
"He will be." She stood up, the blanket fell away.
"You're wearing a cocktail dress? Seriously? You couldn't change first?" Georgie said sarcastically.
She shrugged. "Like I said, it was an emergency. He was in pain. We couldn't wait." She yawned, still exhausted. "What time is it, anyway?"
Georgie looked her phone. "8:42."
"Geez. I still have morning chores." Amy groaned.
"I'll do them." Georgia offered.
"Are you sure?" She tried not to smile, but her eyebrows shot straight up in pleasant surprise. "I mean, you don't have to?"
"I'm sure. I've missed all of these guys. You should get some rest or at least get a shower." She answered, wrinkling her nose.
"Thanks. I will take you up on that."
"Nice dress. Or at least it was." Cassandra said as she walked into the barn. "That's way more dedication than I will ever have!" She deadpanned, waving her hand around to indicate Amy's outfit.
Ignoring her comment, responded. "Hey Cas. Thanks for coming. Sorry about waking you last night. And tearing you away from Carson."
"No worries. Caleb's with him. They needed some bonding time anyway." She turned to younger girl. "Hey Georgie."
"Hey." She said as she began to collect water buckets.
Cassandra turned to Amy. "So. How did the procedure go?"
"Okay, I guess." As she stepped out the stall, Spartan rose to his feet. "We got out a bunch of barbs."
"How he do with the saline solution?"
"Like you warned, it stung him..a lot. Poor Spartan. He was in pain and pretty agitated."
"Yeah. It does burn but it also dries out the ulcer which helps to release the thistle and barbs." She reached up, let Spartan smell her hand. He cautiously sniffed her. "Seems like he's in less pain already."
"Yes. Thankfully." She swallowed, admitted. "Last night was tough seeing him that way. Knowing he was already in pain and I was inflicting more. Hearing him scream, and jerk away from me. And all that blood and slobber." She shuddered.
"Welcome to my life. Still up for becoming a vet?" She asked, half-teasing.
"I don't know." She said flatly. "I don't know if I've got what it takes to do the job."
"Well I do. Look at what you did, Amy. You had the guts, focus and skill to perform a fairly sensitive procedure in less than ideal circumstances. Now Spartan is out of pain, on his way to a full recovery."
She didn't reply.
"You know, Scott is constantly bragging on you and how quickly you are learning." She smirked. "Amy this, Amy that. Blah, blah, blah. It's ridiculous how he goes on about you. It kinda makes me sick."
She winked, making Amy chuckle.
"Good to see you still have a sense of humor." She replied. "Now. Come on. Let's get this show on the road. I've got a baby at home whose gonna want to nurse soon. Help me bring in my bag and equipment from the truck." She didn't ask.
When they returned to the barn, Cas announced. "You're doing the exam."
"Really?" Amy replied, unsure if Cas was serious.
"Why not? Aren't you a vet in training?"
"I guess I am."
With her guidance, Amy administered the light sedative, strapped on the metal speculum around Spartan's head and mouth, and performed the entire exam.
Exam over, Cas complimented Amy. "Good job. Those ulcers are pretty significant. I can't believe that you got the barbs out, especially without the sedative and speculum. That's a real trick."
Pleased but tired, Amy smiled. "Thanks."
"Spartan should be fully healed in a week or two. In the meanwhile, check his mouth daily for any setbacks. Alfalfa cubes only. Light exercise, no bit."
Amy nodded. "Okay."
"Oh, and you'll want to find the source of the foxtail and eradicate it. Obviously, it's not good for a horse's mouth or digestive system. Cattle generally aren't affected." She added.
"Okay. Thank you. I really appreciate you coming out this morning."
"Sure thing." She got a mischievous look on her eye. "Next time, jeans will do. Horses don't care what you wear." She had to make one more dig. "Neither do I."
"Funny."
As they packed up her equipment, Simon walked in. "Morning." He stopped when he saw her. "Is Spartan okay?"
"Yes, he's doing much better." She said brightly.
"Then why are you still in that dress?" He made a face.
Amy shook her head, smirked. "That's my cue to go take a shower. Simon, could you please help Cas with her equipment?"
"Sure thing."
"Thanks Simon. And thanks again Cas. As always, it was good to see you." Amy turned and headed up the stairs.
Some hours later, rested, showered, Amy put on a short bluish green dress printed with tiny white flowers and her good tan boots. She did her hair in a long side braid, then applied only a hint of make-up. She threw on her jean jacket for warmth. She dressed for an afternoon on campus, she was nevertheless anxious to check on Spartan first.
As she opened the loft door, she heard Simon and Georgie talking, she stopped when she heard Simon say Andrew's name.
"Whatever. He's okay, I guess." Georgia said nonplussed. "But, he's not her soulmate. He's not.."
"What do you know?" He responded, clearly doubting her. "You didn't see them last night."
"Well, I know Amy. And I just can tell." She said, sounding like a know it all. "Watch them kiss."
"Watch who kiss?" Andrew asked as he walked in the barn, wearing khakis and peach cotton sweater.
Before anything else was said, Amy called down. "Hey Andrew!"
"Hey Bébé!" He watched her walk down the steps. "You look fantastic."
"You look pretty handsome yourself." She walked straight to him, snaked her arms around his neck, sure and quick, forcing his height to hers. On tiptoes, she kissed his lips, harder, showier than usual, surprising him. And, them.
Georgie and Simon exchanged looks.
"Um." He sputtered, when her lips released his. "What was that about?"
"Oh." She said lightly. "I'm just happy to see you."
"Well, I'm happy to see you too." He arms encircled her waist, pulling her into another kiss. Somehow, missing his cue, she turned her head, his lips awkwardly landed near her ear.
Slightly embarrassed, she let out a stunted giggle, averted her eyes then stepped aside to Spartan's stall.
"Spartan is doing so much better this morning." She said to no one in particular. "Isn't that right, my handsome fellow?"
In response, Spartan let out a contented, low nicker, inched closer, no longer avoiding her touch, pushing his nose toward her. Her hand automatically reached out to him, stroking his neck, her fingers entwined in his coarse black mane, partly out of habit, partly out of a need to calm herself.
He watched her closely, unsure of what just happened.
She could sense his eyes, so she turned her attention back to him.
"Hey. Thank you for last night, helping with Spartan and all. Cas came by this morning to check on him. She said that we got the barbs out. To feed him alfalfa cubes." She babbled slightly. "Sorry about your suit."
"That's great. I know you must be relieved." Andrew said, his eyes trained on her, on her horse, their bond, then added. "No worries about the suit."
Their eyes met for a second, then Amy turned back to focus on Spartan.
Georgie answered her vibrating phone. "Hey mom...yep...okay...headed your way." She looked around as she ended the call. "Lou says lunch is ready."
"We better get going." Amy said. "We don't want to keep Lou waiting." She cringed for emphasis.
"Yeah." Georgie agreed.
All four headed to the house. Trailing behind the younger set, walking side by side, Amy was lost in her own thoughts.
"Everything okay?"
"Yes, of course." Amy said with more gusto than intended.
He said nothing, but his raised eyebrows quizzed her.
"I don't know. Guess it was a long night, worrying about Spartan." She admitted. "I just wanted you to know how much I appreciated you. All your help."
Unconvinced, he just nodded.
"But. I'm excited about Calgary, walking around campus with you." She grinned, then teased. "Plus. My handsome boyfriend is going to carry my books."
"Of course." He responded seriously.
Her attempt to play fell short, so she didn't respond.
"Hey. I forgot that your phone was in my pocket last night." Pulling it from his pocket, he handed to her. "You got a few texts."
"Thanks." She said, looking at her phone. "It's from Grandpa. They made it to France." She didn't mention that the other one was from Scott.
Without Jack and Lisa, the eight sat around the table, in seats different from usual. Assuming the head of the house role, Tim took Jack's seat, Peter at the opposite end. Georgie, Lou and Katie sat on one side in that order, Simon, Amy and Andrew sat opposite.
Right away, Tim took control of the conversation, quizzing Andrew about his plans, both short and long term. Andrew acquiesced launching into details of the upcoming Equestrian events leading up to the finals in North Carolina.
"You're going, right Amy?" Brash per normal form, Tim needled her. "Andrew was very generous with those tickets. Probably set him back a pretty penny."
Amy glared at him. "Dad. Yes. Andrew was very generous." She caught his eye from the corner of hers, gave him a coy smile. "And, yes. Alecia and I are going."
"Why are you taking Alecia? You should go alone, spend time with Andrew. Maybe stay longer, maybe tour around. You don't want to miss out."
"I can't Dad. School starts the day after the finals." She said as she took a spoonful of chicken noodle soup.
With a dismissive wave, he added. "Aww. You can be a few days late for that. They won't miss you."
"Good point dad." Amy shot back, sarcastically, staring at him.
"Tim. School is important to Amy. I would never ask her to miss the first few days of vet school." Andrew spoke up in her defense.
"If she gets in." Tim said under his breath, but loud enough for everyone to hear. He took a big bite of his sandwich.
"Dad. That's enough." Lou said, adding her voice.
"What? She said so herself that she might not get accepted. Right Amy?" He pretended to ask. "I just think she should save her money and go for the sure thing. Andrew is putting an amazing opportunity in her lap. She could be coaching the Canadian Team."
"Dad. Do not say one more word on this topic. If you do, I am leaving." Amy drew a clear line.
"I'm not saying that you won't get in, honey." Tim said, trying to make amends.
Lou stared at him, demanded. "Dad. Stop."
"Fine." He said like it wasn't fine, then shoved his sandwich into his mouth.
An uncomfortable silence fell over the table, until Simon bravely spoke up. "Tim. Amy is going to be an amazing vet. She is already."
"Tell them Simon." Georgie encouraged him. "About last night."
Spurred on, he jumped right into an in-depth, graphic description of the events from the night before, controlling the rest of the lunch conversation, shutting out Tim. Passing around his phone, he showed the pictures he took, despite some being gross and completely unfit for polite mealtime conversation. Andrew joined in, bolstering his story. Despite casting her as a hero and voicing unlimited kudos, Amy remained subdued.
After lunch and dishes, Andrew and Amy climbed into Lisa's SUV, headed to Calgary. This time, Amy was behind the wheel, her eyes focused on the road ahead, as miles passed behind them. Andrew's hand rested on her knee, as usual. At first neither spoke as quiet country music from the radio filled the cabin.
After several songs played, Andrew broke the silence. "Amy. Don't let Tim get to you."
She nodded.
"I mean it."
"I know. Thanks for sticking up for me."
"I love you. I'd do most anything for you." He said, glancing at her with a smile.
She smiled back at him, nodded. "Thanks. I love you too."
Her focus drifted back to the road ahead. But, Andrew's words stuck a chord, echoed in her ear, tickled her brain, released a faraway memory, buried deeply, locked away. Suddenly she was 16 again, dressed black, head to toe, full of remorse, shame and fear. She went to him, in the barn that dark, bleak night. Their attempt to rescue Spartan, to steal him back from Wes, had failed. Instead Ty was caught, arrested, and temporarily out on bail. Jack said if convicted Ty would be facing serious jail time with hardened criminals. And, it was all her fault. Despite everything, he didn't blame her. His green eyes looked softly into hers, comforting her. Quietly, he spoke.
"I would do it again in a second. I'd do anything for you." She heard his words again, clearly. A lump rose in her throat, her heart swelled, then broke into a million pieces again.
"No, not anything." She mumbled to herself, as she stared into the distance.
"What did you say?" Andrew asked.
Almost forgetting that he was beside her, his words startled her. "Oh. Nothing." She laughed, self consciously. "We're almost there."
Andrew nodded.
Turning onto University Drive NW, a sleek black sign announced their arrival at the campus entrance. Following behind a line of vehicles, she drove under the red arch and onto campus. She was struck by the bevy of activity, people and vehicles seemingly everywhere.
"Guess everyone's back for summer term." She said.
"Looks that way. Hope we can find a place to park."
After driving around slowly for sometime, stopping often as students ambled across their path in complete disregard for safety, Amy finally found a parking space on the far north end of campus. Map in hand, the two exited the vehicle, stretching after the hour drive.
The afternoon sun was warm and inviting as the two meandered around the mostly bustling campus, looking for the buildings where her five classes would be held.
"I feel like an old tourist." Amy remarked, observing the younger students, dressed mostly in shorts and sweatshirts, even though it was barely 65 degrees.
He laughed. "What are you talking about?"
"Everyone seems so young. Yet, they know exactly where they're headed. I just feel a bit lost and overwhelmed."
"It's just new. You'll get used to it before you know it." He said.
"I hope so." She sounded doubtful.
Standing in front of the MacEwan Conference Centre, a glass fronted multi-storied building flanked by massive concrete sides, he said. "Think the bookstore is in there."
"Yeah." She said as they approach the double doors. "I can't believe classes start in three days."
"Are you excited?"
She shrugged. "I thought I was but now, I'm not sure. What if Dad's right? What if I fail?"
"He didn't say that. Plus. You won't. You are too stubborn to fail. Not to mention smart, hardworking, organized. You'll do great."
"Stubborn!? You think so?" She smirked.
"Absolutely. And smart, hardworking, organized." He took her hand. "Come on."
The two entered the massive store, overwhelmed by merchandise, t-shirts, stuffed animals, firm supplies, all seemingly stacked floor to ceiling. And, rows and rows of bookshelves.
"Let's get your books first." Andrew suggested.
The two spent the next hour and half, assembling her needed textbooks, notebooks, pencils, pens. While she was looking at laptops with a store employee, Andrew went off on his own.
Meeting up again at the checkout, her items, including new Apple laptop, added up to just over two thousand dollars.
"Dang. I knew school was going to be expensive. I didn't count on the books being this expensive too." She said to the young cashier with braces.
"Save your receipt, keep your textbooks clean. You can sell them back at half price the end of the semester." He replied as he handed her the receipt and her bags. "Next."
Andrew was waiting by the doors with a bookstore bag in his hand as well. He took her packages.
"Hey! What did you buy?" She teased. "A stuffed Dino?!"
"Ah. No." He smiled, not giving a hint.
"Amy, Andrew?" A familiar voice called to them.
They both turned around, saw Partha grinning as he approached.
"Hey Partha! What a surprise." She gave him a hug, which he returned.
"Partha. Nice to see you." The two men nodded to each other as Andrew's hands were full.
"I just bought the textbook for your class." She said proudly. "You wrote it!"
"Yes. I am sorry that my textbook is so expensive. Save your receipt, keep it clean. You can sell it back at half price at the end of the semester."
"So I hear." She laughed. "But no way. I plan to keep it forever. Will you autograph it for me?"
"No student has ever asked that before." He said modestly, then chuckled. "But if you insist."
"I do."
"Sunny Ray and I so enjoyed visiting with you both last night. Did you enjoy yourselves?"
"Absolutely. It was a great event. We had fun visiting too." Andrew replied.
"Yes, we did. Please tell Sunny hello and congratulations on winning the saddle." Amy added.
"Winning? I call it buying." He rolled his eyes. "She tells me its for a good cause. I suppose it is." He chuckled again, good-naturedly.
"I really enjoyed listening to the guest speaker. Um, Dr. Hickerson." Amy added. "I was just fascinated by her stories and pictures. The wild desert horses were so beautiful."
"Yes. She is an excellent storyteller." Partha agreed. "She has certain wanderlust thus, has traveled the world."
"Do you know if she achieved her goal? For the externship." Amy asked.
"Beyond Andrew's donation, I do not know." Partha said.
Not expecting to hear his words, she was at a loss for her own. She looked to Andrew, but could barely say his name. "Andrew?" Her eyes widen, glistened.
He nodded.
"You did? Really?"
"Bébé...How could I not?" He reasoned. "You were so taken in, so moved. You should have seen your face. So I had to." He said quietly.
She squealed, jumped at him, wrapping her arms around his neck, almost knocking him over. "Thank you!"
Hey Everyone. Happy Saturday. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Take care. SBR