The You I've Never Known(27)

I lead her a little closer, hoping Hillary can see her. “It’s me, Ariel. Don’t worry about Niagara.

I’ve got her, and I’ve already talked to your aunt and

arranged to take her home.

You concentrate on getting well.”

As the EMTs lift the backboard onto a gurney, then roll it toward the ambulance’s maw, Hillary says, Ariel? But . . . how?

“Just a strange coincidence.

Everything’s going to be fine, okay? Oh, wait. Here’s your phone.”

Before I hand it off, I take the time to send myself a text with the phone number I found for her father, just in case ol’ Peg is a no-show.

Somehow, I wouldn’t put it past her, though I guess I shouldn’t judge a book without actually seeing its cover, either. Meanwhile, I focus on delivering Niagara.





The Ranch


Is over a mile back toward town.

By the time we start in that direction the sun has dropped below the horizon and it’s turned damned cold. The EMTs returned Gabe’s jacket, so I bum it

to mitigate the teeth-chattering ride ahead. “Follow me, but not too close,”

I tell him. The mare’s game for a fast pace home and, in Thoroughbred style, gallops long-legged strides most

of the way there. Despite the chill,

it’s exhilarating in a way few things are. Going fast in a car is exciting, but this is elemental. Approaching

the gate, I slow her to let her catch her breath and cool off gradually,

though she’d rather hurry to the barn.

It’s dinnertime, after all. I brake her under the big over-the-driveway arch

bearing the ranch’s name: the Triple G.

Triple! That’s it. I’ve been past here so many times I can’t believe I forgot.

As promised, a man who I assume

is the foreman comes trotting up on

a stocky bay gelding. I dismount and hand him Niagara’s reins. “Great horse.”

Thank you, young lady. She is, and we appreciate your intervention. I’d sure hate it if anything bad had happened to her, not to mention to Miss Hillary.

A lot of people would’ve kept on going.

Be sure and thank your friend for us, too.

He nods toward Gabe, who’s sitting

in his idling car, where I hope it’s warm.

“I will. I think Hillary’s okay. She was awake and talking when they took her away.”

That’s real good to hear. The Lord willing, I’m sure Miss Hillary will be fine.

By the way, Niagara here is a handful.

You’re not looking for a job, are you?





Mucking Stalls


Wouldn’t be the worst job in the world. But he offers to let me exercise horses, and that would definitely interest me. However,

“I’d love the work, but

I’m afraid transportation would be a problem. I don’t have a car or a way to get one.

My dad can’t help out, so I’m stuck riding with friends.”

Shame. Well, if something changes, please let me know.

My name’s Max, by the way.

I’m in charge of the barn.

“Thanks, Max. I’ll for sure get in touch with you if anything happens to change.”

Wow. Getting paid to ride horses, and top-flight

Thoroughbreds at that?

Great proposition. Too bad I can’t take advantage of it.

Catch-22 sucks.





Maya


I broke the baby news to Jason a week ago. At first I thought he was going to freak out. His expression mutated a few times, like he was trying on masks. But he held it together. “Are you sure it’s mine?”

“Positive.” Once I might’ve had to guess, but I haven’t been with anyone else since I met Jason, and that’s what I told him. He seemed to believe me. So then we played the Q & A game.

Question: “How far along are you?”

Answer: “Ten weeks, I think.”

Question: “How did it happen?”

That one made me laugh. I don’t think he appreciated it. I coughed back the giggles and tried again.

Answer: “I must’ve forgotten to take a pill.” Total lie. I’ve never been on birth control, and I have no idea if skipping one time can result in pregnancy. But Jason didn’t call me on it.

Biggest question: “What do you want to do about it?”

Answer: “Keep it. It’s the only thing I can do.” Okay, the second sentence wasn’t accurate, but I wanted him to believe there could only be one choice for me, so I added, “I love you, Jason, and this is your baby. No way could I kill it or give it away. I’ll raise it on my own if I have to. Not sure how I’d manage it by myself, but I’d figure it out.”

At first he didn’t say a word, just stared off into space for probably five minutes. I gave him that time. Not like a life-changing event gets dropped in your lap every day. Finally, he reached for my hand. “I guess it’s time I had a son.”

I dropped my head against his chest. “I’m scared, Jason. When my mom finds out . . .”

He kissed me gently and said, “Everything will be okay. I promise.”

We had another hour together, and spent it in bed. No discussion of babies or just how everything will be okay. It only crossed my mind once to wonder if having sex could hurt the baby inside me. Don’t think Jason worried about it at all. I have no idea who to ask about it, at least not until I see a doctor. Now I guess I should.