Chapter 42

Sitting at my desk with Colton next to my cast, I slogged through homework until my phone neighed. I smiled and answered. “Hey, Morgan. How was dinner?”

Her heavy breathing gave me a cause for alarm, and I waited for her to speak. “Surprising. Are you ready for some good news?”

All of my fears whooshed out, and my body crumpled like I had deflated. I sort of screamed, “Yah. What? Tell?”

“It’s a lot. Can you roll to the barn? Dad said he’d take me and come back and when he finishes his errands.”

“Absolutely. I need thirty minutes to finish one assignment. I’ll do the rest later.” I rushed to get Colton’s cape and leash. “Want to go to the barn one more time?”

He wiggled into a U-shape and wagged. Filling my backpack with yummy treats, Colt’s tongue swiped his lips and his eyes flashed on my pouch.

I chuckled. “You always act like you’re starving.”

He nodded in agreement and jogged up the path on alert for something to chase. I had decided to use my crutches and enjoyed the evening air. We heard squawking, and over the trees a flock of geese flew in a V formation like the pelicans had done at the beach. Soon the leader fell back and they changed formation.

I arrived panting.

Morgan greeted us. “Let’s sit over here.” She patted the hay bale. “I’m shaking with news. Okay, here I go. If you need a break, let me know.”

I flopped on the bale and chewed on a loose piece of hay, but didn’t budge. “I’m good. Just start.”

Morgan inhaled and blew it out quickly. “Yesterday, Mother took me to the clubhouse. You saw how I was dressed.”

I nodded but didn’t interrupt.

“Not to her terms, to say the least, but she didn’t say a word. Actually, after so many times of her being angry about the way I looked, I was embarrassed for the first time.” Morgan hunched her shoulders. “I waited for Mother to make me feel small and unimportant, but she actually asked me questions about my day, and whether I had homework.”

I pulled out another piece of straw to twiddle while I listened.

Morgan straightened. “It was stressful having her act this way, and I wasn’t comfortable talking to her. After I told her a few things, I asked about her day. She smiled and showed the same discomfort. We both carefully chose safe subjects to talk about. Finally, I blurted out, ‘Are you as uncomfortable as I am?’”

Morgan stopped talking to catch her breath.

I raised my head. “What did she say?”

“Mother’s eyes widened and she stiffened. Finally she moaned. ‘Umm. I’m your mother! You should be able to tell me what’s on your mind.’ Then Mother slumped, and her fake smile went away. She muttered, ‘I know I haven’t been around much, but I’d like to try and change that. It’s my fault we feel this way right now. I promised to get some counseling, but it’s going to take some time for me to change. You have to know I’m going try.’”

“Wow! Morgan that’s super!”

“It gets better.” As Morgan told her story, she acted out each of her mother’s actions. “Mother shifted her shoulders backward and smiled a real smile at me. I—I honestly didn’t know if I should stare back. She frightened me. I sat stiff in my chair, waiting for her to continue, and the waiter showed up.

“She told me to order whatever I wanted, and then she ordered a salad and a glass of wine. As soon as the waiter turned, Mom perked up. ‘I have some news I’m dying to share.’”

Now I sat up and my pulse speeded. What could be so exciting? I patted the bale of hay, inviting Colton to hop up.

Morgan paced while Colton settled. “Mom said, ‘Morgan, I know you have been unhappy for a long time, and I haven’t bothered to help. But after being at your grandparents’ house and seeing you relaxed and happy, I see what I’ve been doing to you. I can’t make those years go away, but I can make your next ones better. While I was acting like a jerk at the horse show, scouts from different boarding schools were watching all the riders.’”

Morgan pressed her hands together. “Trina, my heart galloped so fast, I almost choked!”

Now, I was hooked. I couldn’t move or look away.

“Mother reached across the table and grabbed one of my hands. Two Scouts from two of the schools I liked may offer me a scholarship for the rest of the year. It will depend on how I place during a show in November and one in December. If I do get accepted, and do well academically next semester, and continue winning at the shows, I could have a scholarship through my senior year.” Morgan’s hand went to her heart. “Knight has turned out to be my man in shining armor.”

“Oh. My. Gawd! How awesome is that! Oh, Morgan. Is she okay with you going away?”

“Mother is thrilled at the idea. That I’d be doing what I want to do, and she could get some counseling while I’m being happy and productive. But now I have a ton of pressure to place in the next shows.”

I stood for a moment, wiggled my bottom, and sat back down. “Wow! That’s really wonderful! But what will I do without you at the barn or helping me with homework?”

Morgan sat next to me and grabbed my hand. “I can still help you online. You just send me your questions. And I’ll be coming back and forth to see my parents. I’ll expect you to come and visit with Colton.”

Colton, hearing his name, leaped off the bale. The tops of his ears lifted.

I patted his head and then looked at Morgan. “Have you chosen which school you want to go to?”

“I can’t. Not until I hear about their offers, but I really want to go to the one closest to my Grands and Quintin.”

“Which is?”

“Tallahassee Riding Academy. You should see the grounds and the barns. Knight will miss you, but he’ll love it there. I’d share a room with another girl. Trina, now that I’ve met you.” She shook her finger at me. “I’m determined not to be afraid of making new friends. Anyway, I’ll go to the dining room for meals. And there’s every kind of activity I’d ever want to try.”

Morgan’s phone chirped. “Oh, Dad’s calling. He’s on his way. Let me go see Knight. Don’t tell Mrs. B. I’ll surprise her tomorrow.”

I watched her dart away. She might actually get the chance to follow her dream, and here I am still trying to figure out mine.