Jenni all but dances across the pipe like a ballerina, all grace and poise. She turns to me and urges me on. My mouth goes dry. I hate heights and anything that requires balance. I think I have basophobia. I place one foot on the thick pipe and look down at my feet. There’s at least four inches on either side of my foot, but still. The creek bed seems so far away. I holler at her. “You know I hate heights, Jenni.”
She calls back. “Amy. Come on, now. It’s time to conquer your fear. Be brave! You can do it!”
This is just stupid. Why do I feel the need to risk life and limb to prove… I don’t even know what I’m proving. There’s no reason I need to know how to walk across a metal pipe suspended over a bunch of rocks and water, one of many thoughts racing through my brain as I yell at her again. “I could drown in a tablespoon of water, Jenni. It could happen!”
Jenni yells back at me. “But it won’t! Amy Evalina Smith! Get your butt over here! Now!”
My foot moves at her imploring command. Before I know it, I’m walking across the pipe, staring as hard as I can at the brown metal beneath my feet, silently praying I don’t trip and fall. It feels like an eternity has passed and my legs have turned to Jell-o when a great beating on the underside of the pipe starts beneath my feet, followed by a bellowing, guttural yell. “Trollllls!!”
One foot stumbles against the other, and I trip. I fly sideways. My ankles ding the sides of the pipe on the way down. Pain makes my ankles ring. Everything feels like slow motion as I drop like a stone. My arms flail in the air like a madwoman; as if waving them around will break my fall. I hit something solid, the source of the yelling. I land in Hank’s outstretched arms. I manage to stop waving my arms, as I look up into his infuriatingly smug face. “I saved you.”
I beat Hank’s chest. “You made me fall, you idiot.” He drops me where we stand, and I land on my butt in the water. I cringe as it soaks me through to my underwear. I jump up. I’m soaking wet as I stomp out of the water, splashing around like a toddler, but I can’t seem to stop as my anger spurs me on, all the way back to the park.
I completely ignore Hank’s yelling behind me. “I am Not an Idiot! I am a human being!”
I shake off his words as I keep marching. I’m determined to shut him out. I get to the playground but keep going until I get to a fence line. I pause when I see a beautiful horse in the distance. He stands alone in a field of tall, golden grass. His solid chestnut coat is gorgeous. I watch him for some time. I wish he would come over, but he just stands there, looking back at me. About the time I hear telltale footsteps behind me, the horse starts toward the fence. His long, easy stride eats up the ground.
Of course, the horse comes over for Hank, who pulls an apple from his pocket and holds it out on his flat, open palm, while his other rests on the small of my back. The horse takes the apple from his hand, and I can’t help but smile as Hank reaches up and strokes the horse’s forehead, speaking low. “You’re a beauty.”
I open my mouth to speak, but I realize he’s talking to the horse. My face flames, and I shut my mouth and look the other way in embarrassment. Hank hops over the fence like’s it’s nothing. The horse doesn’t even flinch. He grabs the mane and hops up on its bare back. I feel like Scarlet O’Hara longing for Rhett Butler as my heart warms at the sight of Hank on a horse. I think I’m ready for the psyche ward as Hank and the horse take off running across the field, full force. Before too long, they are out of sight. I sit and wait, wondering what Jenni and Austin are up to. Ewww.
Minutes later hoofbeats fill my ears. Hank and the horse are back. Hank jumps off as quickly and competently as he got on. He hops back over the fence and hands me an apple. “Would you like to feed her?”
I look up at him, completely enthralled. “Yes.”
“Just put your hand out flat like I did and relax. Let her come to you.”
I do as he says. I’m soon rewarded by a pair of soft lips on my hand as her big mouth takes the whole apple. I giggle as her lips tickle my palm. I spin around to Hank. “That was fun.”
He looks down at me, all serious. “Am I forgiven then? For making you fall. I was just playing.”
I feel stupid. “Yes. I don’t like heights. Or falling from them. Or water in my pants.”
He pulls me to him and leans over me. I feel his hot breath on mine just before our lips meet in a scorching kiss. He pulls away and pushes me against the fence. “You make me as hard as that fence post.” His lips go for mine again, but I give him a hard shove.
“TMI, Hank. You’re disgusting.”
He leans in again! “Forgive my honesty, Amy, but I can hardly be near you without thinking about you, and how well we fit together. I need to be with you.” My ears burn at his words. I grab the wooden fence behind me for balance, as he attacks me again with his gentle but fervent kisses, making me forget all time and place; that is, until I feel a nuzzling on the back of my neck, followed by a low whickering and stamp of the horse’s foot. I can’t help but giggle. “Hank.”
He stands back up, looking more frustrated than ever. “What? What is it, woman?”
“The horse. I think she wants your attention.”
He stares at me with eyes like fire. “And I want yours.”
I say nothing in return. Words fail me. I walk past him and head back toward the park, muttering to myself. “How much will I lose to Hank on this adventure?” I keep walking. I spy Jenni and Austin from afar. It looks like they’re no longer just friends. An unfamiliar feeling churns in my gut at the thought of Jenni kissing Austin. I push it away.