21- Truth or Dare
Jessica Michaels walked into the doctor’s office carrying a winter jacket in her hands. It was cold out, despite the fact that it was early in October. Her husband, Jason Fute walked beside her.
“What if he asks what I’ve been doing?” she asked quietly. Jason put a reassuring hand on her shoulder as they sat down across from the doctor.
“Jessica I’m very pleased with your test results,” Dr. Jacobson said with a smile on his face.
“Really? So my knee is doing better?” she asked.
“Yes, you’re recovering better than I imagined. I think you could start riding for about a half an hour every day if you like.” Jess glanced at Jason and then looked back to the doctor.
“I wasn’t going to mention this, but I’ve been riding for about 8 months or so. I couldn’t wait after the first year,” she said.
“Well maybe that has something to do with your recovery. Bring your riding time up to an hour every day and see what that does. If it’s too much, cut it back to an hour every other day.”
“Thank you doctor. I’ll see you in a couple months.” Doctor Jacobson stood and shook both of their hands.
“Good luck Jessica. You’re doing a great job.” She nodded and followed Jason out of the office.
Cotey propped her crutches up against a wall and sat down on a bale of hay. “I told you there was nothing to worry about,” she told Jess.
“I’m just glad I didn’t get a lecture, or mess it up worse. How’s your leg doing?” Cotey glanced down at her heavy cast. The gunshot wound she’s sustained two months earlier at Jess’s wedding had caused some muscle and bone damage.
“It’s better. The doctor thinks I should be able to take the case off soon. He’s really glad he didn’t have to give me bad news about racing, since I already retired. I will probably still be able to jump, so that’s good.”
“I really can’t apologize enough for what happened. Jason and I both feel awful about what happened at the wedding.” Cotey sighed, putting her hand on Jess’s shoulder.
“It wasn’t your fault. When is the trial again?”
“Next Saturday. The police investigator said it should only take a couple weeks at most. He has a history of violence. They think that a jury will definitely find him guilty, especially since there are about three hundred witnesses to his latest offense.”
“I hope it all goes well. Patrick deserves what he gets.” Jess nodded and stood up.
“I agree.”
“Are you heading home now?” Jess nodded and went into a stall. More was standing there, a saddle on his back. Jess tightened the girth and slipped his bridle on.
“Yup, Jason wanted me to be home early. He’s got to go out and look at some horses at an auction. Beth’s birthday is coming up and Magic can’t jump anymore. I think he’s going to try and buy her a new horse.”
“She’ll love that. Do you want a leg up?” Jess shook her head and led More out of the stall and to the stable yard.
“No thanks. The mounting block will get me up,” she said, climbing up.
“Alright. Ride safely, and I’ll see you later,” Cotey said with a wave. Jess waved back and cantered off through the woods.
Jason smiled when Jess came in an hour later. She walked into the kitchen and plopped down in a chair.
“Sorry I took so long, but More needed a serious grooming. He decided to canter through that big mud puddle instead of around it.” Jason laughed and wrapped his arms around her.
“He’s like that. Thanks for working with him while I can’t,” he said, giving her a quick kiss.
“You’re welcome. He’s wonderful to ride. Where’s Bethy?”
“Who knows? I think she’s out riding Magic in the woods, but she could be up in the loft with the cats, or out back with the dogs… or any of the other numerous places a seven year old could disappear to.” Jess laughed, rubbing his back before pulling away.
“Well I’ll call her for dinner. She’s probably hungry.” Jason nodded and watched her walk out the front door. She returned five minutes later with Beth trailing behind her.
“Hi Daddy!” Beth exclaimed, her blonde hair framing her dirty face. Jason smiled at her and shook his head.
“Where’ve you been?” he demanded, tickling her side. She squirmed away, giggling.
“I was riding Magic for awhile and he wouldn’t go through that big puddle in the main ring. Took twice before he’d go through… I fell off before he’d do it,” she explained, laughing good naturedly.
“You fell off twice?” he asked.
“No Daddy! I fell off the second time she wouldn’t go through. The first time I was expecting it.” Jason laughed.
“Go upstairs and change, dinner’s almost ready.”
“What’re we having?” she asked, starting from the room.
“Fried toad brains,” he said seriously. Beth made a face.
“What are we really having Dad?” she asked.
“You’ll see. Go on upstairs and get changed,” he ordered. Beth let out an annoyed sigh, but jogged from the room.
“You show no mercy,” Jess said with a laugh. He nodded and shrugged, putting an arm around her.
“Yeah, but if she hadn’t left I would’ve told her about where I’m going tonight. That would ruin everything.”
“You’re absolutely right. Come on, help me set the table. What are we having for dinner?” she asked.
“It’s a surprise. I thought you wanted help with the table,” he muttered. Jess laughed as he pulled her into the kitchen.
After Jason has left that night, Beth and Jess plopped down in the living room on the couch.
“Where did Daddy go?” Beth asked. Jess shrugged, trying to think up some excuse.
“He had to go help someone with a horse. They want to know if he’ll be a good jumper, so they called him.
“Oh. Can I go down and help you with the horses tonight?”
“Sure. Do you want to go now? It might not be too cold out yet.” Beth nodded, pulling on her paddock boots and following Jess out of the house. It was already dark out. Beth held Jess’s mittened hand tightly. “are you ok kiddo?” Jess asked as they walked down the gravel path that led to the large barns.
“Yup. I just don’t like the dark.” Jess nodded.
“That probably has a lot to do with what happened at the wedding doesn’t it?” Beth shrugged.
“I don’t know, maybe. That guy was scary… I don’t think I’d ever been hit before that.” They walked into the barn and Beth released her hand.
“I know you hadn’t. Let’s help out with the feeding, then we’ll go up and get ready for bed.” Beth nodded and they went off toward the feed room.
Jason didn’t get home until late that night, but Jess was still awake. He smiled when he found her watching TV in the living room.
“You didn’t have to wait up for me,’ He said, leaning down and planting a kiss on her forehead.
“I know, but I wanted to find out what happened,” she replied. He sat down and handed her a folder.
“Look inside,” he directed. Jess opened the folder and gasped. There were two pictures inside. The first was of a fifteen hand tall, black hunter. The horse had four white socks and a white strip down his face. The other was a small gray horse. The animal had its head cocked to the side and was trotting across a field.
“They’re beautiful Jason,” she said.
“They were at the auction. Both of them look great. I had someone ride the hunter, and he’s a great mover. The other one is a yearling… and it’s my wedding present to you.” She looked up at him with big eyes.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she said.
“I wanted to though. Come on, walk down to the barn with me. We have to figure out where to hide these two until Beth’s birthday.”
A week later Jess and Jason sat in the courtroom, trying to wait patiently for things to get started.
“I thought Patrick would be here already,” she muttered.
“He’ll be here,” he assured her. Just then the courtroom doors opened and they turned. Patrick was being led in by two officers. He glared at Jess and then smiled at Jason.
“Hey Jas, I bet you’ve had fun the past few months. She was a pretty good time when I had her,” he said loudly. Jason moved to stand, his fists clenched. Jess grabbed his arm, then put one of her arms around his waist.
“Jason sit down,” she said. Jason looked at her, sighing and sitting back down.
“Sorry,” he murmured. She shook her head, loosening her grip on his waist.
“It’s ok. He’s just trying to get to you. Everything is going to be fine.” He nodded and took her hand in his.
“Thanks sweetheart,” he said.
The trial took a week, and when the jury came back they delivered a guilty verdict. He was sentenced to twenty years of prison.
“Jess did you hear?” Cotey demanded over the phone. Jess laughed.
“Yeah. Isn’t it great?”
“It sure is. Why don’t you and Jason come over tonight so we can celebrate. The kids can play and we can just have a good time.”
“I’ll have to call you back to let you know. Jason’s taking a nap right now, so he doesn’t even know yet.”
“Alright. Let me know what’s going on as soon as you know.”
“OK. Bye Cotey.” She hung up the phone and rolled over, snuggling against Jason. His arm came around her.
“When were you going to wake me up and tell me?” he murmured.
“How long have you been awake?” she asked, looking up at him and smiling.
“Since right before the lawyers called. Let’s go wake up Beth and go for a trail ride. She’s been wanting to try that sorrel mare.”
“Are you sure Beth should ride her? I thought she was a space cadet.”
“She was a little wacky, but we’ve got her settled down now. Beth will be able to handle her so long as nothing unusual happens. I’ll ride western so I don’t have to use my wrist.” She smiled and they went to get Beth.
Jess sat astride Fantasy, watching Beth trot Devnet around the ring. She smiled at Jason as he got a leg into the saddle from one of the grooms.
“Thanks David,” he said with a smile. The man nodded, turning and letting the gate slam shut behind him. Devnet was turned away from the noise, and it scared her. She reared up and spun around. Jess shot Jason a worried look as the frightened animal took off toward the fence. Beth was up in a two-point, looking toward the fence.
“She’s going to jump it,” Jess murmured.
“She’ll never make it,” he said, moving his mount forward.
“She’ll get over it,” she assured him, a small smile on her lips. Jason watched as Devnet took off, clearing the big fence with inches to spare. Instead of stopping on the other side, she kept running. Jess looked at Jason, then kicked Fantasy into a canter.
“Jessi don’t you dare jump that fence!” he yelled, but it was too late. Fantasy flew over the six foot plus fence, moving off into the woods. David was standing at the gate, looking extremely guilty.
“I’m sorry Mr. Fute, I wasn’t thinking,” he said.
“I know you didn’t mean to scare her. Come on, help me take care of this horse. I can’t ride after them, so I’ll have to wait.” David took the reins from him and they walked toward the barn.
Jess watched Beth steer her frightened mount through the tress. Unfortunately Jess wasn’t as lucky. Her left knee knocked into a tree, and she bit down on her lower lip to keep from crying. Beth was coming up on a large log, and was getting ready to jump. At the last minute, though, Devnet skidded to a halt. Beth flew over it and landed hard. Jess pulled up and jumped from the saddle. Her knee almost gave out, but she forced herself to keep upright.
“Beth! Beth answer me!” she called. She heard a soft moan, and limped over the log. Beth was laying on her side, tears falling down her grubby face.
“Jessi are you still here?” she called. Jess sighed with relief, putting a hand on the tiny shoulder.
“I’m right here kiddo. Are you alright?” she demanded, helping her sit up. Beth shook her head slowly.
“My arm hurts really bad,” she said, crying hard.
“Do you hurt anywhere else?” Beth shook her head and watched as Jess stood up.
“Where are you going?” she asked, her voice worried.
“I’m going to get my first aid kit. I’ve got to have something in there that will help me splint your arm. Stay right here, I’ll be right back.”
“OK.” She sat quietly and waited for Jess to return. When she did she sat down next to her again.
“This should do it. Where does your arm hurt?” Beth pointed to her wrist.
“From here to my elbow,” she said.
“Alright. I’m going to get some sticks to hold your arm still. Stay here, I won’t be too long.”
It took Jess almost half an hour to get Beth’s arm secure. When she was done it was almost dark out.
“Are we going to go home?” Beth asked. Jess nodded slowly, picking Beth up.
“Yup. You’re going to ride Fantasy ok?” Beth nodded and put her feet into the stirrups. Jess pushed herself onto Devnet’s back.
“Am I going to be ok?” Beth asked as Jess hooked a lead onto Fantasy’s bridle.
“I think so. Do you think you can trot some of the way home?”
“Yeah, but if I ask you to stop will you?”
“Sure. Let’s go.” She urged Devnet into a slow sitting trot and Fantasy followed obediently.
Jason drove Jess and Beth to the hospital, even though both insisted that they were fine.
“Jessi, your knee is bleeding. It’s your bad knee too,” he said, helping both of them from the car.
“I’m fine. Beth hurt her arm… but I’m ok.”
“No you’re not. Come on, let’s go.” Jess limped behind him, holding Beth’s hand.
“Am I going to have to stop riding like you did?” Beth asked quietly when they reached the waiting room.
“I’m not sure Beth. We have to just wait and see.” Beth nodded and leaned against Jess’s shoulder.
“Jess, Beth, they want you now,” Jason said, helping Jess stand up. Beth took his hand and they walked into an exam room. Doctor Jacobson walked in moments later.
“Jessica what have you done to yourself now?” he asked. She smiled.
“Take care of Beth first, then you can yell at me all you want.” Jason helped Beth onto the exam table. Doctor Jacobson smiled at Beth and began to take off her makeshift splint.
“Alrighty, now, I’m going to touch your arm a little and you tell me where it hurts,” he said.
“There! It hurts there!” she exclaimed, starting to cry again.
“OK. I’m going to send you for some xrays, so I’ll get a nurse to take you.”
“Can Daddy come?”
“Of course he can. We’ll see you both soon,” he said. A nurse wheeled a wheel chair in, and then they all left.
“My turn?” Jess asked. Doctor Jacobson smiled, holding out his hand to help her up.
“You better believe it. Are these a good pair of jeans?”
“Nope.”
“Great, I’m cutting them up.” Jess smiled and watched as he cut them up the seam to above her knee. He examined it thoroughly and then smiled.
“What’s wrong with it?” she asked, not daring to look.
“You’ll need a couple stitches, and it’s going to be pretty badly bruised, but other than that it looks ok.”
“That’s it? Thank god. I thought you were going to bench me for another two years.”
“You lucked out, only two weeks this time. I’ll go get a suture kit, and then we’ll get you all fixed up.” Jess nodded, waiting until he was gone to let out the sigh of relief she’d been holding.
Two days later Beth sulked into the barn. Her arm was in a purple cast than went to her elbow.
“Hey kiddo, how’re you?” Jess asked. Beth glanced up and then looked back at the ground.
“Ok,” she muttered.
“That good huh?” she said, walking into the office. Beth followed.
“It isn’t fair that I can’t ride for two months. It really, really stinks.”
“I know sweetie, but that’s not too long. Just think, I had to wait two whole years. You’ll get through it, I have faith in you.”
“Well I’m glad somebody does,” she said. Jess laughed.
“Come on and help me longe Fantasy. While you can’t ride you can help me with some ground training,” Jess said.
“Really?” Beth asked with a smile.
“Yup, let’s go. We have work to do!” she said.
