Chapter 8

Cheryl Parmenter was 59 years old, the unexpectedly widowed mother of 4 children. Her husband Bernie had died five years before of a massive stroke and Cheryl was left with her family, she was comfortable financially and well taken care of. Her 4 boys had all finished college, the oldest two were pharmacists like their dad and took over his business which Cheryl kept going until they were ready. Cheryl was a silent partner, the brothers insisted. Her third child was a graphic artist in Pittsburgh, working and just finished his Masters, and her youngest back at home, just recently graduated from university, working for his brothers and trying to find permanent work in computer security. Cheryl was lonely so she took a job to be out and with people.

She sat across from Ty with kind brown eyes and a loving motherly smile, pulled the top off a muffin, passed the bottom across to him and said "I'm waiting, tell me your tale Dr. Borden."

He didn't know what it was about this woman but he started to talk, maybe it's just that he needed to talk. He didn't go into much detail about his youth before Heartland but he was forthright that he came to complete his probation and that there was a bad family history. It somehow felt odd saying the words as they forced him to slow down unlike when he rode and thought to himself. He found that actually talking and telling the story out loud made some parts stranger to him than thinking them and that watching someone's expression hearing the words made him feel guilty at times.

She asked very pointed questions about that first year, she asked him to describe his feelings and then specifics about what was in the letter he had left. She asked questions about why he came back, first to Calgary and then to Heartland and then why come back and not just sit down with her and talk once he did. She didn't ask why he went, just why he did it like he did.

"You were 18 Ty and clearly in love with a 15 year old, you went away, it was your place to speak or step aside. She was a child and you her first and one true love it seems. I'm sorry I shouldn't judge, you had no understanding, you were as lost then as you seem now. Her too, she loved you and you disappeared, she still loved you when you came back and not a parent in sight to sit you both down, mediate and make you face each other and apologize. They left you all to battle it out in a gladiators ring."

He knew Amy wasn't perfect and Cheryl knew that as well it seems but this was his life and his story and she focused on Amy's side just to give him a taste of what she might have thought and her fears. She was shocked that Amy was given the task of earning the money to keep the ranch afloat and more so impressed that she could actually do it.

She was also shocked at Tim's antics and basically called him exploitative.

She stopped him again and again to ask questions some of which sliced through him like a knife especially the times Spartan was stolen and after he gave her the promise ring. She asked him to repeat the words to her and then spent time going over their lives after the Ring of Fire. Blair, Chase and that nightmare.

He found her more understanding of Amy's point of view than he had ever found himself and listening to her got some deeper understanding of events he had gone over a 1000 times in his head. Cheryl was also understanding of his position but he guessed she was trying to play Amy's part in all of this, having the discussions with him that he and Amy never really had.

"Where was her family when this idiot Chase turned up, granted she didn't see the manipulations but what were they doing ?" She had already railed on the lack of parenting when he kept extending his trip after the Ring of Fire. "Calling yourself a father and grandfather and acting like one are two different things Ty, your place is to provide guidance which apparently wasn't done for either Amy or you. Parenting is lending a hand to keep you from the cliff not throwing a rope to keep you from hitting bottom. "If you were my son and walked out on my daughter and your job I would have hauled your ass back way before 4 months were up."

The further he got into his story the more incredulous she got. She asked him more pointed questions about Dark Horse, the delayed engagement, Ahmed, Zeus, Charger, the money, the ranch dream, the barrel race and her return from Europe.

"I'm lost with something. Through all these 8 years or so the major breadwinner on the ranch was her, Amy, her work was the only consistent source of income unless I'm missing something. Why was it Ok to live on her dole before you were engaged and not after ? Was it the amount ? The source ? The reason ?"

"I never thought about it, it was Jack's ranch, I always just took it as his generosity."

His hour was up and she finished her second cup. He hadn't finished the story but had come to the point where he left after the final dinner with Ahmed.

"What a nightmare but nothing I think that can't be fixed." She said looking at him. "Look, there's an Atrium through the door at the end of that hall" she said pointing. Head in there, get two beers and I'll join you in 15 minutes. I need to wrap my head around all this. You say this was 8 years ago huh. Before you go, think about this. When you left, after you knew what this Ahmed fellow put her through, you said you realized he was nuts and it wasn't her, did you ask her if she was Ok or if she had been hurt or harmed ? Go ahead, one of those beers is for me, 15 minutes maybe a tad longer I have some stuff to check."

He was surprised when she walked up to him in street clothes, sat down and took a beer. "I closed out my shift so we can finish. I like you Ty, you're confused, but it sounds like you have a good heart."

"Cheryl, that's silly, you didn't have to do that, I'm fine."

"You're a god damned mess is what you are Ty Borden. I've raised a husband and four boys into fine young men, trust me son, you're lost. I'm well taken care of, this job is a hostess position, my duty is to make people comfortable, smile, not serve drinks. My boss is an old friend who knows firing me won't make a damn bit of difference to me and she likes me. I do it to meet people and get out of the house. Did you think about my question ?"

"I did, and to answer you, I didn't, I just assumed she was Ok. I don't like that I did that considering what's gone on in the past few years. I never thought about it till just now actually. She was pretty distraught when I left and from what I heard, well after, pretty much freaking before then."

"You know that all you had to do was hold her, each and every time you turned to leave, thought she was off course, was mad at her, no one held you when you were young, so how could you know it was a simple as that."

"She held me."

"And when she did all was good with the world. You've made that woman a lot of promises over the years Ty, were they made thinking there would never be a challenge to keep them, that there would be no sacrifice on your part ? I understand that you felt betrayed, I do, she should have told you about that man, but where in your promises to always be there for her, to do anything for her, to spend the rest of your life with her, was the clause unless it gets hard or she screws up or you do ? Finish up the story, I can't wait for the last bits."

Ty continued, the bears, poachers, Bob's part and back to Scott. He made sure to mention the brief contacts, the wolf cub, Chance meetings, the awkwardness at the trailer, and finally the bar fight, their last night talking at the trailer.

Then he told her about the phone calls from Europe.

"Three times she asked you to forgive her" she whispered to herself. She sighed and closed her eyes for a second. "I assume you have a jacket Dr. Borden ?"

"Of course I do."

"Go get it and take a ride with me, I've done some checking, there's something I want to show you. I'll be the blue pick-up outside."

"Cheryl."

"Please Ty, it's important, and you've got no where else to be but in your room with a bottle and a picture."

Ty smiled and got up, finished his beer, and turned "5 minutes."

40 minutes later they pulled through the wrought iron gates of Mercy College and Ty looked around. "Nice place."

"It's a private Catholic college, not cheap but good and not preachy. My kids all went to State like my husband and I and my third just finished his grad school at Carnegie Mellon"

Ty didn't really pay attention to the route or signs through the school and it was summer so students were light. He noticed the smell immediately and looked over to the stables as they passed them. He notices the large white horse on the sign and then read it. The Pegasus Center at Mercy College.

"They opened this place a few years ago. Mercy College has something called the Autism Initiative for helping people on the spectrum cope, get comfort or contact with a living creature, they also focus on helping people with Down's Syndrome ease into normal life while working with horses and helping others. I remembered it when you mentioned the ranch, there've been news stories about it, local stuff. I did some checking after I changed and called ahead, come inside and meet the director."

The building was clean, modern and impressive. There was comfortable seating and pictures of horses all around. Ty stopped and sucked in a breath at the picture over the front desk. Marion Fleming and Pegasus. There she was, drover's coat and hat and down low in the picture a little blonde girl dressed exactly the same way hugging her leg.

"Here" Cheryl said handing him a tissue. He looked at it and realized that he had a tear falling down his face. "Something wrong Ty ?"

"That's Amy's mom and Pegasus." He whispered.

"And Amy I assume ?"

Ty nodded. "They saved my life, Amy fixed me."

"A lot of people look at that picture, can I help you ?"

"Cheryl Parmenter and Dr. Borden to see Dr. Rollins."

"I'll page him, the rumor is that's Pegasus and that woman is the founder but it's really only wishful thinking."

The receptionist had a slight jerky movement to her affect but her voice was melodious and her smile infectious and she sang softly to herself while she worked. She looked up and smiled at Ty and when he returned it, his eyes grew bright and his face lit up."

"Jesus, who would have thought that morose face would turn into that." Cheryl elbowed him. "If I was 30 years younger Dr. Borden we would never have left that hotel if I'd have seen that smile."

"Stop." He said as his smile deepened and he blushed.

"Here's Dr. Rollins now. Dr. Rollins, these people are Cheryl Parmenter and Dr. Borden, I think she called him Ty." She whispered the last part.

"Thank you Jane" he said and then shook hands with both. He led them to a comfortable conference room and they declined refreshments.

"So Dr. Borden, you're a vet passing through to Ithaca I hear and wanted to see a Pegasus Center. Where are you traveling from ?"

"Alberta, Hudson to be exact."

"Really, our horses came from there, White Horse Ranch actually if I recall correctly."

"Then I've probably vetted some of them believe it or not, my partner usually handles White Horse but some of these may have come from Heartland, my family's ranch."

"Your family's ranch." Cheryl repeated quietly.

Ty took the hit and ignored it, "what do you do here Dr. Rollins and please call me Ty."

"In conjunction with Mercy College's Autism Initiative we provide companionship, touch therapy and the like all the way up to employment training. Autism spectrum, Down's Syndrome, functional and occupational challenges. We're also available for disorder treatments where the patient gets comfort, Alzheimers or dementia treatments for the elderly and the like. Sometimes people who just want to touch a horse. The facility was built by a grant from the Rogers Family Trust, the first actual Pegasus Center aside from Ithaca of course. As a matter of fact our first two graduates are here, if you want to really hear some of what we do come meet them."

On the way he informed them that they try to only employ staffers on the spectrum or challenged but very capable in many ways for all positions. "I'd gladly give up my spot for a licensed Psychiatrist specializing in occupational therapy who actually had autism."

Ty and Cheryl followed him out to the stables area and stopped as Dr. Rollins called out "Emmy ?" A young woman who obviously had Down's Syndrome walked over with a big happy smile. "Good afternoon Dr. Rollins can I help you with something."

"Emily Rostrup this is Cheryl Parmenter and Dr. Ty Borden. Dr. Borden is a vet passing through from Alberta."

"Pleased to meet you both." She nodded and immediately put out her hand.

"Emmy, Dr. Borden would like to hear how you came here and a little about you, maybe while you show them around and introduce them to some of our horses ?"

"Sure, you can go Dr. Rollins, you're busy, I'll take good care of them."

"You two don't mind ?"

"Not at all, Emily will be perfect." Ty said flashing that smile again.

She walked them around and they talked while they stopped at various stalls where Emily checked the horses and introduced them to Ty and Cheryl. "So Emily, how did you get here ?"

"Amy came to school and talked with me and then my mom and then both of us. She chose two of us, Mitchell and I to be the first, you can meet Mitchell later, he's working now."

"Amy ?"

"Momma calls her my angel and she is."

"Because she brought you here ?"

"Yeah but when I'm scared or confused I can call her. Once I called in the middle of the night but she was nice. Her number's a secret, I keep a copy on the card she gave me." She took it out and showed it then tucked it away.

"And once you were here ?"

"I'm a groom, assistant trainer and wrangler. My teacher's taught me and now I'm in charge of the volunteers and teach the next class until my next placement."

"Do you have that ?"

"Phoenix where it's sunny and warm."

"At a Pegasus Center ?"

"Yes, mostly children and the old. When I'm there I'll become a full Trainer and try college, Amy says I can and that I'm smart and I can have a tutor if I need. She said maybe I could be a vet tech or helper one day. Phoenix is also a rescue center so there are always new horses to teach and take care of."

"How often do you speak with Amy Emmy ?"

"Not really that often, momma says she's really busy but momma said to call about being scared about college. Amy makes me feel better she has faith in me."

"What's going on over there ?" Ty asked looking over suddenly and seeing a screaming boy who pulled away from his mom and threw himself to the ground.

"Watch" she said. "That's Frasier, he has autism, he gets upset."

Ty watched as a large white horse walked over and reached down to nudge the boy. The boy immediately stopped any movement and turned his head. A minute later he was sitting there holding this huge loving and patient white head while he rocked. A very familiar white head.

"Chance."

"How could you know that Dr. Borden ?."

"He was a Heartland rescue, our ranch. My niece Georgie helped him."

"Niece ?"

Ty turned to her and said nothing.

He walked over closer and watched as the boy now stood, his arms around Chance's neck.

"Look at that will you. He doesn't allow anyone to touch him or anything or didn't until Chance. It's like he knows just what to do with Frasier. He'll hold on to that horse for hours which calms him for days. It's a godsend, a miracle." The woman was his age or thereabouts and obviously the boy's mother.

"Chance comes from Dr. Borden's family ranch, his niece trained him." Cheryl said with a proud smile.

Ty turned to frown at her.

"My family owes yours then Dr. Borden, you have no idea how this has improved his life and helped our family. If he gets unruly we just bring him here and Emily or one of the others takes over. It's changed him."

The woman's face broke into a smile when she heard Momma come from her son's mouth, "that's from this too" she said walking over "he might even hug me today."

Ty blinked as she walked away.

"Do you want to meet Mitchell, he's a trained farrier, wrangler and fixes saddles. He can float teeth too. He's going to Minnesota where it's cold and snowy but that's what he wants."

"I'm sorry Emily but we have to be going."

"Ready to go already Ty ?"

"Yes Cheryl, thank you so much for your hospitality Emily have a good life in Arizona."

"Bye and thank you Dr. Borden, nice meeting you both."

They stopped to thank Dr. Rollins for the center's hospitality and wish him well and to say good bye and thank Jane at the reception desk.

In the parking lot Ty stopped and looked at her. "Mind telling me what you were doing ?"

"Showing off good works."

"That's not what I mean."

"I'm still processing it, want to drive ?"

Ty took the keys and drove while Cheryl gave him directions. They stopped for coffee and sandwiches at a diner. They chatted and Cheryl told him a bit about her sons and more how she misses her husband. "Sometimes life cheats us Ty, we had planned to travel when the boys finished pharmacy school. He never saw them graduate. What I wouldn't give for a chance like you have right now, to be with him for one more day let alone the lifetime that was stolen from me." Ty felt horrible for her as she fought to maintain control.

Ty insisted on picking up the check and they continued on. She was quiet for about 20 minutes. Ty had the feeling he was sitting in front of his high school principal right before he got the boot, again.

"I can't decide if it sucks to be you or you're in fact the luckiest man in the world."

"You don't mean that to be a question do you ?

"I can see where actually seeing that your prediction was true would suck. She would never have been able to do this with you moping around or that Grandfather of hers, let alone her dad if he ever came back."

"He did, he came back when she left. He's always blamed me."

"He sounds the type to point fingers, the problem is that her being successful was never really your issue was it Ty, not the money or the lie, it was the fame had she actually used that moment to seek for more, to build on her success, those contacts she made. You thought that she would get so pumped up by others, so distracted and so full of herself to the point where you would be forgotten. Part of the background. That the fame would consume her and your life would be reduced to accompanying the famous Amy Fleming and examining those horses she couldn't cure with her magic wand."

"I'm leaning towards the lucky side, she gave all that fame and her whole family up for you. Imagine how much she loved you, to have left you her family to watch over you so she could accomplish her life's work in the background. So that maybe one day she would come back and you wouldn't be scared of her anymore and love her for who she is, a woman with a gift she seems to use pretty effectively. I work the racing pit, I know Cloister and recognize that picture. Right now, that's the most famous horse in the world Ty. That article says Pegasus healed him. It was her wasn't it, Amy."

"Pretty much no doubt in my mind at this point, and you think she's waiting for me ?"

"This Lisa sent you a picture, from her phone ?"

"Yes."

"Why else would she have done that ?"

"I just thought to let me know that she was Ok, Amy I mean."

"By torturing you ? You don't think they would have waited to see you over dinner and just let you know she's Ok ? A mother would never do anything that cruel to her son Ty. She sent it because she knows what's in your heart and that Amy wants you to come."

"Why are you doing this anyway ?"

"I told you, I like you, I think you have a good heart and I want to make sure you don't overthink your decisions tomorrow and run."

"Tomorrow ?"

"Why are you here Ty ? Did Amy or Lisa send for you ? Did you think a ride to just this side of the NY border would be fun ?"

"No," and then after a second of thought "I don't know."

"You don't know ? Are you 17 again ? Say the words out loud Ty."

"I still love her, I miss her." He whispered.

"She's a part of you son, you used the words fixed me before, I've never quite heard the expression used that way when it came to a person."

"I was a mess, my life was shit, I had no future. She believed in me. She taught me what love was, commitment. I have no idea why they let me stay."

"Because Amy wanted you to stay or I hope he would have kicked you out like that no good father of hers."

"And now here I am."

"For the time being. I expect you at that ranch at 1:00 PM tomorrow afternoon or I will call Amy and tell her not to bother with you."

"How do you propose to do that ?"

"I memorized the number on the card when Emily flashed it."

"I don't believe you."

"Fine, don't believe me. Be in the restaurant at 8:00 AM tomorrow and we'll talk about what you'll do. If you leave at 9:00 you'll be in Ithaca at 1:00 without killing yourself."

"Cheryl."

"Ty, shut up, 8 AM, now pull over and get out. Don't get drunk and don't overthink."