The Comeback Kidd
Cameron Kidd was only seventeen, a fairly young age for a nationally and internationally acclaimed circuit horseback rider. Her parents had died when she was four, and she had been sent to live with her aunt and uncle who lived in England. Ever since then she’d been on a horse.
“Cameron, your habit is hanging on your bedroom door!” her Aunt Sue called. Cameron walked into the den and smiled.
“I have everything under control Aunt Sue,” she assured her Aunt.
“Of course you do dear, but this is a fairly important show. I just want to make sure everything goes smoothly.” Cameron smiled again.
“You don’t need to worry. I know what I’m doing.”
“I know. Your Uncle and I want to take you out to dinner tonight to wish you luck tomorrow.” Cameron sat down on the arm of the couch.
“That isn’t necessary, but ok. Are we going someplace fancy?”
“Yes. Wear something nice.” Cameron rolled her eyes in disgust.
“So I guess jeans and a T-shirt are out?” she muttered, glancing down at her current out-fit. She was wearing a pair of baggy jeans, a gray t-shirt and a pair of old boots.
“Cameron, don’t even joke about that. Your Uncle Eric would never approve.”
“I’m just kidding Aunt Sue. When should I be ready?”
“Half an hour or so. Why don’t you feed the horses and then get ready?”
“OK. I’ll see you in awhile.” Cameron stood, tossing her long, brownish red hair over her shoulder and walking from the room.
The next day Cameron sat atop her sixteen hand tall, black and white pinto, Rocky. She was once again the youngest rider in the show, and also the only one riding a paint. Rocky tossed his head and she smiled.
“Are you getting excited gorgeous?” she asked, patting his neck. They were riding in a grand prix class for adults. Suddenly someone cleared their throat and she turned to see who it was.
“Aren’t you Cameron Kidd?” the guy asked. He was mounted on a beautiful gray Arabian. He was almost as gorgeous as his horse.
“Yeah, that’s me. I can’t say I know your name though.”
“Oh. I’m Michael Smith.”
“Are you in this class?” Michael laughed and shook his head.
“I’d make a fool of myself if I even attempted it.”
“Oh. What class are you in?”
“I was in the intermediate hunter jumper and advanced dressage.”
“Not bad. How long have you been riding?”
“Since I was ten… so about nine years.”
“You’re nineteen?” He nodded and smiled.
“Almost twenty actually. Are you nervous about this?” It was her turn to smile.
“I never get nervous. Well, I need to get into the ring.”
“Good luck Cameron.” She smiled.
“Thanks. Maybe I’ll see you again.”
“I hope so,” he murmured, watching as she went into the ring. Michael watched as she and her beautiful horse flew over every jump quick and clean. When she landed after the last jump he clucked his tongue and said, “Come on Juliet, let’s get moving.” The horse picked up a trot, so Michael didn’t see Cameron watching him ride away.
Cameron put her winnings in the bank the next day, then went out to buy a bag of molasses cubes for Rocky. She had only taken second, but it had come with a hefty sum of money, a trophy and a big red ribbon.
“Cameron!” a voice called. She turned and smiled at who she saw. Michael Smith was walking toward her carrying a bottle of saddle soap.
“Who knew we’d see each other again so soon?” she asked. He grinned.
“Go figure. What’re you doing here?” She held up the molasses cubes.
“Getting a present for my horse. He was so good yesterday, I thought he deserved a treat.”
“What’re you getting yourself?” he questioned as she paid for the cubes. She smiled wryly.
“A college education eventually.”
“You mean you win all of that just to pay for school?”
“I guess so. I’m not sure if my Aunt and Uncle plan on paying for it.”
“Wow. Well I’ve got an idea.” They were walking slowly toward the door.
“Really? Why don’t you fill me in?” He opened the door for her.
“I should take you out for a victor lunch.” She smiled and brushed her hair over her shoulder.
“Really?” He caught her elbow. She turned and looked up at him. His green eyes were twinkling and a strand of black hair was laying across his forehead.
“Yes. If you can’t treat yourself, someone should.”
“I suppose you have a point there. Where do you plan on taking me?”
“Anywhere you’d like to go,” he replied. She thought for a moment and then smiled.
“Let’s go on a picnic. There’s a pretty place in the woods by my house that we could ride to.” He smiled and raked his fingers through his hair.
“Sounds good. Let’s go.”
“Follow my car,” she ordered. He nodded and went to his own car. He watched as she pulled out and then followed her down the road.
Michael trotted along beside Cameron, glancing at her frequently.
“Is something wrong?” she asked, easing Rocky back to a walk. Michael did the same with his mount, an Appaloosa mare named Leo.
“No. I was just watching you ride. I’ve seen you from a distance, but it’s different up close.”
“Different how?” she demanded, looking at him with serious blue-gray eyes.
“From far away you’re amazing. Up close you’re… breathtaking.” She blushed.
“I ride the way every other person on earth does.
“No you don’t. You make riding seem so easy and so perfect… like anyone should be able to do it just the same. The problem is that normal people can’t.”
“Thanks… I think. Come on, the place is right up here.” They rounded a bend in the trail and ended in a big clearing. A tiny stream ran through it, trickling down the side of a hill.
“This place is nice,” he murmured.
“I found it when I was seven. My Aunt and Uncle had made me very angry, so I rode off. They didn’t find me again until I rode into the stable yard.”
“You were off riding in the woods by yourself when you were seven?”
“Of course.”
“When did you start to ride?”
“Aunt Sue started me when I first arrived. I was four. By the time I was eleven my instructor said I didn’t need him anymore.”
“Amazing. You’ve been riding for thirteen years?” He dismounted and looked up at her.
“I don’t recall telling you how old I am.”
“Everyone knows how old you are Cameron. You’re famous for being one of the youngest riders ever considered for the Olympics.”
“My Aunt said I was too young to make that kind of commitment. Ironic huh?” She dismounted and began setting their picnic up.
“Kind of. Why did you come here when you were so young?” She frowned and her eyes clouded over.
“My parents were killed in a boating accident. I was the only survivor.”
“How?” She looked at him and smiled bitterly.
“I was the only one wearing a life jacket. Good old irony once again.” He touched her arm gently.
“Hey, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it. It was a long time ago.”
“OK. Come on let’s eat.”
“Good idea.” They sat down and began to eat.
Cameron walked Michael to his car early that evening.
“So I’ll probably see you around,” she said, somewhat hopefully. He grinned and leaned against the hood of his car.
“Rabid wolves couldn’t stop me.” He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans and glanced at the ground.
“That’s good news. Most guys are afraid to come up to me and say hello.”
“I was afraid too, but I conquered my fear and made myself ride over. I thought that the worst you could do was call me a peon and tell me my position was horrible.” She laughed
“Your position isn’t horrible. I’m glad you came over.” They were silent for a moment. “So you’ll call me? I’m going to Ireland in a week, so if I don’t talk to you before then…” she trailed off and closed her eyes as he moved closer and kissed her. When he pulled away Michael was smiling.
“I’m getting better at this whole conquering my fear thing,” he said.
“That’s a huge relief,” she murmured.
“I need to go.”
“OK.” He opened his car door, but hesitated for a moment.
“Could I call you Cam?” She frowned a little.
“Why?”
“It’s a lot quicker to say,” he replied, getting into the car and closing the door.
“Yeah, I guess so.” He smiled again.
“Good. I’ll give you a call,” he promised.
“Bye.” She waved as he backed up and watched as he drove down the driveway. With a contented sigh she walked up to the house.
Cameron returned from her early morning ride sweating but smiling. Her Uncle Eric met her in the kitchen.
“Cameron, a young man named Michael Smith just called asking for a girl named ‘Cam’. Do you know anything about that?” Cameron grinned.
“Uncle Eric, Michael is a friend I met at the show four days ago. You don’t need to worry.”
“He calls you Cam. I think I have every right to worry. No one has called you that since your father.” She drew in a shaky breath and nodded.
“I know. For some reason it doesn’t bother me when Michael calls me that. I’m going to go ring Michael back.”
“We’re leaving for Ireland early tomorrow morning so don’t make any strenuous plans for this evening Cameron.”
“Of course not Uncle Eric,” she replied, jogging up the stairs to her room.
After the movie that night Michael drove Cameron home. They walked into the barn quietly, her hand in his.
“So you leave tomorrow?” he asked. She nodded.
“Rocky needs to have time to settle in and so do I. We’ll be fine though.”
“I have no doubt about that. I’ll miss you.” She looked up at him and smiled.
“You’re completely over your fear of talking to me aren’t you?” He laughed and touched the side of her face.
“It seems that way doesn’t it?” He looked at her seriously for a moment. “I should go so you can get some sleep… it’s late.”
“I’m not going to sleep anyway.” They stopped in front of Rocky’s stall and looked at each other for a minute.
“Good luck at your show Cam,” he murmured.
“Thanks. I’ll call you when we’re all settled in, OK?”
“OK.” He leaned down and kissed her for a long moment, then wrapped his arms around her and hugged her. “I’ll talk to you soon,” he said, pulling away and walking down the aisle. Cameron smiled and walked up toward the house.
The show grounds were packed but Cameron wasn’t nervous. She was riding against a tough field of competitors over a spectacular cross-country course.
“Now just do your best Cameron,” her Aunt Sue was saying.
“If I’m not worried, you shouldn’t be. Wait by the finish. I’ll be back in no time,” she promised while adjusting her seat. Rocky didn’t seem flustered either.
“Well, the weather is less than desirable Cameron,” her Uncle said. It was raining and had been since early that morning.
“I’ve ridden in worse. I’ll see you both soon.” She went to the start, never realizing that the worst was yet to come.
Rocky cantered on, gathering his hind quarters and propelling them into the air. They were almost finished. The next jump was part way up a hill. Cameron urged Rocky when she felt him hesitate. They landed, but something wasn’t right. Cameron felt herself losing her balance… falling, something she hadn’t done in years. Rocky was sliding down the muddy embankment, rolling actually, and Cameron’s right foot was caught in the stirrup. She bit back a scream as she felt her right leg snap, as Rocky’s full weight rolled on top of her. Her foot slipped free of the stirrup when they hit bottom. People were running toward them, calling her name. Rocky was struggling to stand, stepping on her in the process. Cameron tried to say something to calm him, but the pain surging through her was too much. She closed her eyes, wondering if she would ever wake up…
Cameron did wake up, and almost wished that she hadn’t. Every joint in her body hurt.
“Aunt Sue?” she murmured.
“I’m here sweetheart. How are you?”
“I hurt. What happened?” Sue looked down at her niece and sighed.
“You had an accident dear. The doctors didn’t think you’d live. Thank God you did.”
“Is Rocky OK? I remember that roll… Aunt Sue?” The woman had begun to cry.
“Honey his front legs were broken. There was nothing we could do.” Cameron shook her head.
“You can’t be telling me that Rocky is dead.” Sue nodded, brushing tears from her face. “He’s my horse… he can’t be dead,” she muttered.
“Honey I’m sorry.” Cameron didn’t cry.
“I’m fine. At least he isn’t suffering,” she said, her voice soft. “Where’s Uncle Eric?”
“He’s on the phone with someone named Michael Smith.”
“Michael? Why is he talking to Michael?”
“Do you know him?”
“Yeah. He’s a good friend.”
“Your Uncle is telling him that you’re OK. He’s called several times and inquired about you.”
“How long have I been here?”
“Three days.”
“Wow. Is there a phone so I can call Michael?”
“Yes. Why don’t you wait until your Uncle comes back so you can be sure to get through.” Just then Eric walked in.
“Well look who’s awake,” he said with a smile.
“Hi. May I use the phone now?” Sue nodded.
“Go ahead dear.” Cameron managed to sit up a little.
“I have busted ribs don’t I?” she muttered.
“You have busted everything. Do you need some help with the phone?” She glanced down at herself and nodded. Her right arm and leg were in a cast, and she could feel the tape on her ribs.
“Yes. I’m calling Michael.”
“I know the number.” Eric dialed and then handed her the phone.
“Hello?” Michael’s voice answered. Cameron smiled a little.
“Hi,” she said.
“Cam, is that you?” he demanded.
“Yeah. How’re you?”
“Worried sick about you. How do you feel?”
“Sore. ” She looked at her Aunt and Uncle and motioned for them to leave.
“Are you going to be OK?” Michael asked.
“I guess so. Broken bones heal.”
“Did they tell you about Rocky yet?” She took a deep breath, wincing at the pain in her side.
“Yeah, my Aunt told me when I woke up.” She heard him sigh.
“How are you about that?”
“I’m not sure,” she lied. They were silent for a moment. “I don’t know when I’m coming home, but when I do you can come visit me.”
“Good. I need to go Cam, but I’ll try to call you tomorrow or the next day.”
“OK. Bye Michael.”
“Bye Cam.” She hung up and lay back against the pillows, wondering what else could possibly go wrong.
Several days later Cameron’s doctor came in and sat down on the bed beside her.
“How’re you feeling today Cameron?” he asked with a smile. She gave a one shouldered shrug.
“OK I guess. I’m not as sore as I was at first.”
“Good. I have some things to tell you, things that might upset you.”
“I’m getting use to upsetting news. You may as well tell me and get it over with.”
“You know that your injuries are quite extensive don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Well, your ribs will heal fine. Your shoulder and your elbow may cause some problems but we’re fairly sure you can rehabilitate them to their former capacity. It’s your knee that we’re worried about.”
“What are you saying?”
“When you fell, your knee not only broke, but you tore your ACL and other major ligaments. Also, when your horse was struggling, he stepped on your knee. We managed to rebuild it, but it will never be strong enough to do many of the things you’re use to.”
“Like what?”
“You’ll probably need crutches for several months. After that you’ll probably need a cane to walk.”
“There’s something you’re not telling me.” The man hesitated.
“Cameron, I’m afraid riding is out of the question. Your leg will never be strong enough. Your arm probably won’t be either.”
“What?” she whispered.
“I’m sorry Cameron. I know how important riding is to you.”
“Riding isn’t ‘important’ to me, it’s my life. You’re wrong about this.”
“I wish I was, but I’m not.” He glanced at his watch and said, “I need to see another patient. I’ll tell your Aunt that you can go home tomorrow.” She nodded and watched as he left. When he was gone she touched her right knee and sighed.
“He has to be wrong,” she whispered.
Michael was at the house when Cameron’s Uncle pulled into the driveway. Cameron got out of the car and sat down in her wheelchair.
“How’re you doing?” Michael asked.
“OK I guess. My arm is getting better, so I’ll be able to use crutches soon.”
“That’s good.” Michael helped her Uncle carry the wheelchair up the stairs, then pushed it into the house.
“The living room. Aunt Sue is going to make me some lunch.”
“OK.” They went into the living room. Cameron stood on her good leg and hopped to the couch. “So how are you really? You never told me what happened with the doctor.”
“The doctor was a quack.” Michael frowned.
“What happened Cam?”
“He said that I’m never going to be able to ride again. That’s crazy isn’t it? Riding is my life.”
“He told you that riding is out?” She nodded slowly and looked out the window.
“Yup. He was wrong though. Uncle Eric already said we could get a second opinion.”
“You’re upset about it,” he said, touching her arm.
“There’s nothing to be upset about. Let’s stop talking about it now.” He looked at her for a long moment.
“OK.”
Several weeks later Cameron was crutching down the lawn and to the barn. Her arm was much better, but her knee was still sore. She had been to three more doctors, and none had given her good news about her knee or about riding.
“What’re you doing up and around?” her Uncle asked when he saw her.
“I was bored stiff. Anyway, my arm feels a lot better today.”
“That’s good dear. Michael called while you were napping.”
“I should call him back.”
“He’s at a show Cameron. He won’t be home until tomorrow.” Her face fell.
“Oh. That’s good. I’m sure he’ll do very well.” Eric sighed.
“I know it’s hard for you to see your friends and former opponents go to shows, but you’ll have to get use to it.”
“There’s got to be some way for me to ride again. Not every doctor in the world can think it’s hopeless.”
“Cameron, we’ve seen four doctors. Do you want to keep going through the pain of hearing ‘I’m sorry Cameron, but…’?” She shook her head. “You know in your heart that if there a way, if there was a doctor who could give you some real hope, I’d find them don’t you?”
“Yes. I’m sorry, I guess I’m just trying to hang on to the past and it’s stupid.”
“Try not to be too upset about it dear.” She gave a bitter laugh.
“Yeah right,” she muttered, turning and crutching away.
Michael sat in Cameron’s room watching as she put all of her trophies, ribbons and plaques into a big box.
“Tell me again why you’re doing this,” he said. It was almost two weeks later.
“Because there’s no reason for them,” she replied, hopping back to the shelf. She took down two more trophies and then hopped back to the box.
“You need them.”
“What for? They symbolize the past.”
“Exactly. You need to be reminded of the past so you won’t forget what your future is.”
“This isn’t my future. I’ve accepted it, you should to.”
“Cam, it’s only been a month. The doctors need to wait and see if your knee will strengthen. They can’t really predict anything now.”
“I’m never going to ride again. I messed up and this is what I got for it. It’s my own damn fault for taking that course and not being able to handle it.” HE put his hands on her shoulders and forced her to sit down.
“Cameron, you had the ability to take that course. It was just an accident, a horrible accident. You couldn’t have prevented it.”
“Everything can be prevented. I shouldn’t have gone out that day. I knew better. It wasn’t safe for me or my horse.”
“Cam,” he began
“Drop it and help me put this stuff in the box.”
“No way.”
“What?”
“You heard me. I’m not giving up hope.”
“Then leave. I don’t need someone around who’s going to get my hopes up just so they can be crushed.”
“Don’t be like that. Maybe you should get your hopes up. You’re acting like there isn’t any hope at all.”
“There isn’t Michael.” He looked at her and sighed.
“I hate seeing you this way, and I don’t want to leave.”
“Then just drop it ok?” He gave her quick kiss.
“OK.”
“Come on and help me. I’ll be here all day if you don’t.” He forced a smile.
“If you hadn’t won so many trophies, you wouldn’t have this problem.” She smiled and watched as he went to the shelf. “Do you want to take the pictures down too?” he asked, looking at a picture of Cameron mounted on Rocky. She was bareback and they were in one of the pastures. She was several years younger, wearing jeans shorts and a tank-top. A big smile was spread across her face and both she and Rocky were looking directly at the camera. Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder.
“The pictures can stay… at least some of them can.”
“How about this one?” he murmured, pointing to the photograph he’d been looking at. She smiled a little, a sadness seeping into her eyes.
“That one can stay.”
“Why don’t you be in charge of the pictures. I’ll take care of everything else.”
“Good idea,” she replied, still looking at the picture. Michael sighed and carried two more trophies to the box.
Almost a year later Cameron walked slowly to the barn. She could get around with the use of a cane, just as doctors had predicted.
“Cam, are you sure you want to do this?” Michael asked. She smiled at him.
“You asked me for help, so I’m giving you help. I’ll meet you in the ring.” She was going to give him some riding lessons to prepare him for an upcoming show. When she reached the ring Michael was already there, mounted. “I’ve noticed that you’ve been having trouble judging your take-off over complex jumps,” she said.
“I guess that’s it. I’m not quite sure though.”
“Why don’t you take this course after you warm up?” she suggested. “I’ll pay close attention to what you’re doing and we can figure it out together.”
“OK.” She watched as he warmed Leo up. His position was absolutely flawless and he handled Leo like a pro.
“Alright. She seems limber. Take the jumps nice and easy!” she called. Michael urged Leo into a canter and they moved toward the jumps. Leo took the first jump and the next two very well, but on the fourth jump he misjudged his take-off. Leo took off too late and her front hooves hit the top rail. The rail went down, as did the top rails of the next two jumps. After that things were fine. Michael trotted over after the last jump.
“I wouldn’t have won any trophies for that,” he muttered. Cameron smiled.
“You would’ve if the point was to knock the jumps down,” she replied.
“So what’s the verdict?” She shrugged.
“You took the fourth jump too late. The rail down caused you to mess up the two after that because you weren’t concentrating on counting your strides.”
“I was concentrating on not knocking down any more rails.”
“It didn’t work did it?”
“Nope.”
“I kind of figured that’s what you were doing.”
“How’d you figure that?”
“I use to do the same thing. I’d get all flustered, so I’d automatically start thinking about keeping the next rail up.”
“How did you stop doing it?”
“I just did. My instructor had me take jumps blindfolded so I’d have no choice but to count the strides. Even now, if I knock down a rail, I close my eyes and just count.” She was quiet for a moment, thinking about what she’d said. “I mean, that’s what I did when I rode.” Michael sighed at the look on her face. Her eyes had clouded over and she was frowning.
“I know what you meant.” They were silent for a minute. “So are you going to make me do this blindfolded?”
“I don’t know yet. You’ll end up sore if I have you do it that way.”
“Why?”
“First of all you won’t be able to see. Second you’re going to want to see the jumps and you won’t be able to. You’ll have trouble trusting Leo. This is a hard habit to break.”
“Sounds great Cam.”
“I never said we were going to do it. Why don’t you take the course a couple more times? If we can fix the problem without the blindfold thing, we’d all be happier.”
“You sound like it would pain you to stand there and watch me fall off.”
“It would. I remember what it feels like.”
“OK. I’ll try to remember to count no matter what. It’s hard.”
“Trust me, it’s worth the effort. Let Leo rest a little, then take it again.”
“OK.” She watched as they moved out and walked around the ring. After several minutes he began again. Cameron watched as the same thing happened again. When he trotted over after the last jump she shook her head.
“You didn’t count.”
“I know. I don’t know why I can’t make myself do it.” She smiled softly and patted his knee.”
“You’ll get it Michael. Why don’t you cool Leo down and put her away? Then we’ll walk the course and count the strides together. Maybe that’ll help.”
Cameron sat in her doctor’s office several days later.
“You must be wondering why you’re here Cameron,” he said. She shrugged.
“I guess.”
“I got your last set of x-rays back yesterday.”
“You called me in just to tell me that you have yet another set of x-rays that are the same as all the others?” she demanded.
“I called you because the x-rays brought good news this time.”
“What?”
“They show that your ligaments have begun to strengthen. If you want to do physical therapy you could probably be riding in six months or less.”
“I don’t want to do physical therapy.” The man looked at her in disbelief.
“Cameron, didn’t you come to me begging me to tell you that you’d be able to ride?”
“Yes, and you said it was impossible. I’ve accepted your diagnosis and I’m trying to move on with my life. Anyway, it wouldn’t make any sense for me to ride again. I don’t have the edge anymore.”
“You need to do physical therapy. That leg needs to be strengthened.”
“Can I go now? I need to meet my boyfriend for lunch.”
“Go ahead.” He watched as she walked from the room, leaning heavily on her cane.
Michael looked at Cameron across the table.
“So what did the doctor have to say?” She shrugged.
“Nothing new.”
“Really?” She glanced at him.
“Yeah, really.”
“Why are you so preoccupied then?”
“I’m not preoccupied Michael.” He sighed and touched her hand.
“Why won’t you tell me what the doctor really said? Did he tell you that you’d always need the cane?”
“Nope.”
“He must’ve said something to get you so upset.”
“I’m not upset!” she exclaimed. People turned and looked at them, and Cameron blushed.
“Cam, I’m not stupid.”
“I never said you were.”
“I wish you’d just tell me what’s wrong.” She sighed.
“Nothing is wrong.”
“Why did you have to go today?”
“To the doctor’s?” He nodded. “He had my latest x-rays and wanted to talk about them.”
“He needed to see you about x-rays? That’s unusual.”
“He wanted to tell me face to face that there’s been no change.”
“He couldn’t have called you?”
“Face to face usually means in person, Michael. Let’s just drop it.”
“Fine,” he muttered, beginning to eat again. She sighed and did the same.
That night Cameron’s Aunt and Uncle came into her room. She was sitting on her bed working on homework and listening to music.
“Hi, what’s up?” she asked. Sue glanced at Eric.
“We got a phone call from Doctor Tyler today.” Cameron frowned.
“Really. What’d he have to say?”
“You know very well what he had to say Cameron,” her Uncle replied.
“Why don’t you fill me in?”
“Did he tell you that you could ride again if you went to physical therapy?”
“He said it was a possibility.”
“Why didn’t you tell us? We’ll arrange for the therapy,” her Aunt said.
“I don’t want it.” Eric looked at his niece in disbelief.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. I don’t want it. Riding is over for me. I don’t have the edge anymore… I lost that when I lost Rocky and the ability to walk unaided.”
“Honey, you loved riding and you were so good. I know it’s going to be hard to get back into the swing of things, but…” Cameron cut her Uncle off.
“I’m not doing it. I’ll never get back what I had, ever. I’ve accepted it and so should you.”
“Cameron,” they began at the same time.
“Please just drop it. It’s over OK?”
“Does Michael know about this?”
“No. He’s not going to either,” she said. They nodded and left the room. Cameron sighed and glanced around the room. The picture of her and Rocky caught her eye and she though, it’ll never be the same without you, knowing it’s my fault you’re gone.
Michael stalked up the aisle in Cameron’s barn a week later.
“Cameron are you here?” he called.
“Yeah, I’m grooming Leo for you!” she answered. He went to the stall door and frowned at her.
“No physical therapy?” he demanded. She frowned.
“What’re you talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb with me Cameron. I’m mad enough as it is.”
“Fine. I’m not doing physical therapy.”
“Why the hell not?”
“I don’t want to.”
“You could ride again Cameron. If you do this you’ll get it all back.”
“No I won’t. I’ll never get any of it back.”
“You can’t lose talent like you had.”
“Had. That was well over a year ago. Please drop it.”
“No. Why don’t you want to do this?”
“I just don’t. There’s no point.”
“Yes there is! You were good Cameron, really good. Maybe you’ll never have the exact bond you had with Rocky with another horse, but there are more horses and more ways to bond with them.” A flash of pain passed over her face.
“Rocky has nothing to do with this.”
“I think he has a lot to do with it. You can’t get him back so you can’t get your ability back, right? Or better yet, it was your fault that he died so you can’t ride again because it’s not fair to his memory. Right?” She opened the stall door and started down the aisle.
“Just shut up! You have no idea what you’re talking about!” she exclaimed, fighting tears. Michael caught her arm and spun her around.
“Or maybe you’re afraid. Maybe you won’t be good anymore. Maybe it’d actually be hard for you now… you’ll actually have to work to be good.” She yanked her arm free of his hold.
“I always worked for what I got! It was always hard. I just made it look easy, something you’re never going to do!” Michael flinched at the hurtful words, but didn’t back down.
“You are afraid. You’re afraid it won’t be the same, and it’s going to be hard, and it’s going to hurt too much.”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t lie to me. I know losing Rocky was hard for you, but it wasn’t your fault. It was an accident and it couldn’t have been prevented.”
“Yes it could have! I could’ve scratched my entry. I knew that it was dangerous, but I still made him do it. I knew that it wasn’t safe but I did it anyway because I wanted to win so much. My horse died because I was stupid and careless and I’ll never forget that!” She was crying freely now and Michael reached for her. She pushed his arm away. “Just go.”
“Cam, come on.”
“Go. Don’t call me, don’t call me ever again.” He looked at her for a long moment.
“You know that this isn’t what you want. It’s not what either of us want.”
“You don’t know what I want. Leave.” He nodded, turned on his heal and walked away.
Cameron walked into her physical therapist’s office the following week. Her doctor had decided that therapy was necessary whether she wanted to ride or not.
“You must be Cameron Kidd,” the receptionist said with a smile.
“Yup. How’d you guess?”
“I use to watch you win all those horse shows on ESPN.”
“Yeah, well that was before my accident.”
“I saw that on TV hon. You did the best you could.” Cameron didn’t say anything. “Well, Tracy is ready for you I think. You can go on back.”
“Thanks a lot,” she replied, going back to the therapy rooms. Tracy was waiting.
“Hey you’re Cameron Kidd.”
“I’ve heard that rumor flying around,” Cameron said.
“You’re a fantastic rider.”
“I was.”
“You will be again. Once that knee of yours gets a little strength, you’ll be winning in no time.”
“I’m not planning on riding again, so let’s not talk about it. Let’s just get this over with.” Tracy looked at the young girl for a moment and then sighed.
“OK. Come on, I’ll show you around.”
After a month of physical therapy Cameron’s knee had become strong enough for her to walk without a cane. She and Michael hadn’t talked since their argument.
“Cameron could you go down to the barn and feed?” her Uncle asked one night.
“I’m kind of busy,” she replied. She was doing her knee exercises.
“The horses need to be fed. Walking will do you just as much good as that.”
“Fine,” she muttered, standing and walking out the front door. Sue looked at her husband.
“I hope she likes it,” she said.
“She will,” Eric replied.
Cameron walked down the aisle tossing hay into stalls. She started to walk past a usually empty stall, but movement caught her eye. She stopped and looked inside. A gorgeous bay gelding was there, tossing his head.
“Are you hungry too?” she murmured, touching his cheek. He snorted and lipped at the hay. “I guess so.” She tossed two flakes of hay in and glanced at the halter rack by the door. A note hung from the halter there:
Cameron, We know he isn’t Rocky and we know that you’re never going to ride again, but we hope this big guy will make you happy any way he can. His name is Independence.
Love,
Aunt Sue and Uncle Eric.
Cameron stared at the note and then at the horse. After another moment she turned and walked back to the house.
Sue and Eric were still sitting in the den when Cameron returned.
“You didn’t have to buy me a new horse,” she said.
“We know that Cameron, but we wanted to. Do you like him?”
“He’s a looker. He’s just going to sit there though. I’m not riding.”
“Whatever you say dear.” She sighed softly and started to leave the room.
“I’ll be upstairs in my room.”
“OK. Cameron, we love you?” She smiled.
“I love you too.”
Cameron forced herself to do one more leg lift, then let her leg drop to the table.
“You’re doing great Cameron,” Tracy praised.
“It doesn’t feel great.”
“It will when you can run around, when you have the option of hopping on any horse in the world and galloping away.”
“The running I can deal with,” Cameron responded, rolling onto her stomach and raising her right leg slowly.
“I think you should give riding a try again. You’re too pessimistic about it, about everything.”
“My pessimistic side got me this far didn’t it?” Tracy chuckled.
“I guess it did. Don’t over do it Cameron.”
“I’m not. It doesn’t hurt yet.”
“Let’s call it quits for today. You’ve worked hard.”
“OK. I have an appointment with Doctor Tyler today. What do you think he’ll say?” Tracy shrugged.
“Who knows? I hope it’s good news.”
“Me too. I’ll see you next week Tracy.”
“Bye.”
Doctor Tyler smiled at Cameron and said, “Everything looks good young lady.”
“How good?”
“So good that you could start to ride again if you wanted.” She sighed.
“That’s not what I want, so what else could I do?”
“Pretty much anything you want as long as you take it kind of easy. For example, if you were going to ride it’d have to be for half hour intervals.”
“I’m not going to ride,” she muttered. He nodded and smiled at her.
“I know. I was just using that as an example. Good luck Cameron.” She stood and smiled at him.
“Thanks.”
Cameron stood at Leo’s stall door that night looking at the mare with serious eyes.
“I don’t know Leo, it’s been an awful long time,” she murmured. Leo tossed her head and then nudged Cameron’s arm. She was holding a bridle and a saddle was over the stall door. With a sigh Cameron tacked the mare up and led her out to the ring. “You’d better behave, I’m out of practice,” she whispered, swinging into the saddle. They walked around the ring, Leo prancing excitedly. “Come on girl, let’s see if I still remember how to do this,” she said, squeezing gently with her legs. Leo picked up a trot and Cameron sat to it for a minute. When she was sure she could Cameron began to post. Her knee gave a little protest, but she forced herself to forget it. “Good girl,” she murmured. They cut through the center to change directions and then Cameron asked for a canter. They went around several times before Cameron pulled up. She dismounted, ran her stirrups up the leathers and led Leo to the barn.
Cameron finished grooming Independence and gave his neck a pat. It was three months later and she was competing in her first show since the accident.
“Cameron, how’re you doing?” her Aunt Sue asked Cameron smiled.
“I’m great. Independence is excited about the show, more than I am I think. Have you been watching my competition?”
“Yes. Michael just rode.” Cameron nodded.
“Really?” Sue nodded. “How’d he do?”
“Four rails down.”
“He wasn’t counting.” Sue watched as Cameron turned back to Independence. “I’m going to saddle up and get down to the ring. Go get a good seat.”
“Good luck dear.”
“Thanks.”
Down at the ring Cameron sat atop Independence and watched the current rider. The woman was moving along at a nice pace and going clean. Cameron sighed.
“You can beat her,” a familiar voice said. Cameron looked down, frowning when she saw Michael standing by Independence’s shoulder.
“I don’t need you to tell me that,” she replied, turning her attention back to the ring.
“I know… I just wanted to reassure you.” She shook her head slowly.
“It wasn’t necessary. I heard you had a bad round.” He laughed a little.
“I didn’t count,” he replied. She grinned and looked at him again.
“That’s what I told my Aunt.” They were quiet for a long time.
“What’s his name?” he asked.
“Independence.”
“He’s gorgeous.”
“I know.”
“Well, good luck.”
“Thanks, but I’m not going to need it.” She turned and trotted into the ring. The audience stopped cheering, stopped moving… stopped everything. Cameron and Independence began and Michael could see the smile on her face. They went over jump after jump, making it look so easy and carefree that Michael had to smile too. When they landed after the last jump, the audience was still silent. Cameron trotted toward the gate, looking around. Michael stepped in front of the gate and began to clap. Cameron looked at him and smiled as the rest of the audience began to clap. She looked around and tears came to her eyes as everyone stood and cheered for her.
Michael arrived at Cameron’s house early the next morning carrying a newspaper. He went into the barn and saw Cameron walking up the aisle.
“Cam, wait up!” he called. She turned and smiled at him.
“What are you doing here this early?” she asked. He held out the newspaper.
“I wanted to show you this.” She took the paper and smiled.
“The Comeback Kidd,” she murmured, reading the headline out loud. Under it was an article about her accident, recovery, and win. Accompanying the article was a photo of her on Independence, looking at the standing crowd with tears in her eyes. “This is amazing.”
“You’re amazing. All the papers have something on you. Even the radio mentioned you.”
“Really?” He nodded.
“Yup. Everyone remembers you and they think you’re fabulous.”
“Wow.”
“So, now I have a favor.” She smiled when he took her hand.
“What now?”
“Could you start helping me with my jumping again? The whole counting thing isn’t working.” She laughed.
“Where exactly did we leave off Michael? I don’t remember.”
“You were threatening to blindfold me if I remember correctly.”
“I never threatened that!” she exclaimed. They walked a little way up the aisle before she said, “Let’s go on a trail ride. We haven’t done that in a long time.”
“What will I learn then?”
“How to effectively sit a trot,” she replied.
“Are you trying to tell me that I don’t know how to do that already?” he demanded. She giggled.
“You said that, I didn’t,” she replied, pulling her hand free of his and jogging away. Michael jogged after her, thinking that she really was a comeback kid.
