22- Happy Birthday
Jessica Michaels Fute walked slowly down the aisle in the large main barn. It was owned by Sam Giran, but her husband was the head trainer. Jess glanced around and then went into the office.
“Hey,” she said. He smiled and put his pen down.
“Hey hon, what’re you up to?” he asked. She laughed and shook her head.
“Nothing much. I was just wondering how we’re going to keep Beth from finding out she has a horse in one of the barns until tomorrow.”
“She hasn’t been coming down here other than to help you because it makes her sad. We’ll make it until tomorrow.”
“I will take your word for it.”
“Let’s take Beth over to Cotey’s for awhile tonight. Maybe spending some time with the twins will cheer her up,” he said, standing and putting his arm around her waist. They walked out of the office and up toward the house.
Dominick was sitting in front of a music stand, a flute in his hands. Beth stood quietly in the doorway, listening as the eight and a half year old played ‘On Wings of a Song.’ When he was done she clapped wildly, making Dominick jump from his chair. The music stand topped to the floor, and his face turned beat red.
“I’m sorry,” she said, her face red too.
“It’s ok. I just didn’t hear you come in. I was trying to play it perfectly.”
“Didn’t you?” she asked. He shook his head and sighed deeply.
“Nope, played the wrong note two times. I’m getting better though.”
“You sounded really good to me. Anyway, you’re only eight and a half… you can’t be perfect.” Dominick smiled.
“My teacher told me that last night at my lesson.”
“I think you’re really good. I wish I could play something like that.”
“You have a piano at your house don’t you?” he asked, taking his flute apart. He cleaned it carefully before putting it in its case.
“Yeah, but I don’t know how to play it,” she said.
“Take lessons. Maybe you could learn to. I bet your Dad will say yes.”
“I’ll ask him. Tomorrow’s my birthday party, so I’ll ask him then,” she said with a grin.
“I wish girls wouldn’t have sleepovers,” he muttered, following Beth out of the room.
“Why not? They’re really fun,” she said.
“But boys can’t spend the night at a girl’s house!” he exclaimed.
“Why not?” she asked, her face confused. Dominick shot her a withering look.
“They just can’t. God girls are so stupid sometimes.” She shoved him with her good arm.
“They are not!” she exclaimed. He pushed her back, trying not to hit her arm. They were at the foot of the stairs, walking into the living room. Beth shoved him as hard as she could, knocking him into Cotey. She fell backwards, and luckily Sam caught her.
“Go outside and play!” Sam exclaimed. Both kids nodded, grabbing their coats and racing out the front door. When they reached the barn they were breathing heavily.
“Sorry Dom. I didn’t see your Mom coming.”
“It’s ok. Let’s go watch Jessi work with Miami,” he suggested, starting off for the newly added dressage ring. They reached it and saw Jess just mounting the big warmblood. He pranced excitedly, bobbing his head up and down.
“Behave yourself nuttso, we’re doing all your favorite things today,” Jess said with a smile. She warmed him up for fifteen minutes, then asked for a trot. Jess tightened her reins and kept constant pressure with her legs. Miami extended his stride and Jess sat deeply in her saddle. Dominick and Beth watched quietly as Jess moved back into a collected trot. Beth was leaning her chin on her hands, smiling. Miami began a collected canter and Jess dropped her stirrups. They swung back over her feet every time there was a suspension, which showed how perfect her position was. With a smile Jess had him extend, and they went around smoothly.
“She’s so good,” Beth whispered. Dominick nodded, watching his god mother canter around the ring.
“Yeah, but she actually likes dressage. I like jumping a lot better,” he said.
“She likes jumping more than almost anything beside racing, but she might not be able to do that again.”
“That stinks. She’s stopping,” he observed. Jess had come to the rail.
“Beth, could you come and stand at C? My test is on the clipboard. Do you remember what to watch for?” Beth nodded, jogging to the end of the ring and picking up the clipboard and a pencil.
“I’m ready!” Beth called. Jess began the test and Beth followed along, watching closely. When Jess saluted at the end Beth smiled and went into the center of the ring.
“How was it?” Jess asked.
“Other than the 20 meter circle at the working canter it was fine,” she said.
“Thanks kiddo. I guess I’ll have to work with him on this a little bit more before any shows. Thanks for watching us.”
“Anytime. You know I love to watch you ride,” Beth told her step-mother sincerely. Jess dismounted and led Miami toward the barn.
“Tell your father that we’ve got to get going. You need to start helping me with your cake.” Beth smiled, glancing at Dominick.
“It’s going to have a picture of a horse jumping a stone wall on it,” she said.
“Do you really still want me to come to your party?” he asked.
“I already told you! Yes. I want you to sleep over too… you’ve done it about a billion times before.”
“OK. Let’s go up and find your Dad,” he said. They raced toward the house, holding hands.
The next day Beth was up almost at the crack of dawn. Jess was in the kitchen making coffee for Jason.
“Morning Bethy, how’d you sleep?” she asked with a sly smile. Beth shot her a withering look.
“How would you sleep if you knew your birthday was the next day?” she asked exasperatedly. Jess laughed.
“Probably not that great. Do you want some French toast?”
“Mmm, yeah!” she exclaimed. Jess patted Beth on the behind gently.
“Go get your Dad up, he’s been sleeping in far too much lately.” Beth grinned and raced up the stairs.
That evening guests began arriving at around six. There were seven girls, and Dominick. They ordered three pizzas and began to play games once everyone was there. After about an hour of fun, it was time for the cake.
“That was so good,” Rachel said, putting her arm around Beth’s shoulders.
“Jessi made it,” she said, grinning at her step mother.
“I always wanted a cake like that when I was your age. Why don’t we start opening presents now?” she suggested. Everyone agreed, so they filed into the living room. Beth sat on the floor and picked up a large box. Inside there was a picture of her, Rachel, and Dominick riding through the woods. Beth smiled, glancing up at Cotey and Sam, the gift givers.
“That’s really pretty, thank you,” she told them, handing the picture to her father. She opened the rest, getting Barbie’s, riding clothes, Breyer horses, but nothing from Jess and her father.
“So what do you think?” Jason asked her. She looked around and frowned.
“I don’t mean to be rude, but you didn’t get me anything Daddy,” she said.
“Hey Jess, where’d you put Beth’s present from us?” he asked. She gasped.
“Oh gosh, I think I must’ve left it down in the barn when I was there earlier,” she said sheepishly.
“Then I guess we’ll all have to go down there and find it,” he said, watching as the kids pulled on coats and boots. Jess put her arm around Jason’s waist and grinned.
“I’m such a good actress,” she murmured as they followed the kids out the door.
“You’re a good everything,” he said, leaning down and kissing her. They went through the barn, stopping at the office first.
“Hmm, I thought I left it here. Maybe it’s in the arena,” Jess said. The group went to the arena and Beth’s eyes got wide. A groom was standing there, holding the reins that led to a beautiful black horse.
“Daddy, there’s a horse in the arena!” she exclaimed.
“I know,” he said. She looked up at him.
“You mean that’s my present?” she demanded. Jason nodded and Beth threw her arms around his waist.
“Come on, let’s get you up in the saddle,” he said, leading her into the arena and giving her a boost into the saddle.
“Can I trot a little bit? I can hold on to him with both hands, it doesn’t hurt my arm,” she said, her eyes pleading with him. A hand touched his shoulder and he turned. Jess was staring at him hard, her eyes begging too.
“OK, ok. I give in. I can’t handle both of you giving me that look! Just be careful Bethy.” He went to the side of the arena and watched as she told the hunter to trot. She posted low in the saddle, a smile on her face. Suddenly the horse began to canter, and Jason moved forward. Jess caught his arm.
“She asked him for it,” she said. The horse stopped after a couple times around. Beth dismounted and smiled.
“He is totally awesome,” she said. Jason smiled as she hugged him and then Jess.
“We have another new horse too, but he’s mine,” Jess said.
“Where is he?” Beth demanded.
“In the yearling barn. I’ll show you tomorrow morning after your friends go home.”
“OK. Can we go watch the movie now?” Jess gave her blonde ponytail a tug.
“Yup. Come on everybody, let’s go up to the house and watch a movie!” she called.
Jason and Jess stood and looked over the sea of sleeping children. Beth was sleeping between Dominick and Rachel, her arm over Dominick’s side. Jason put his arm around Jess.
“Do you think she had a good time?” he whispered.
“Yeah. She loves the horse. She hasn’t’ told me what she’s going to call him, but she’ll think of something.” Jason nodded, stroking her hair.
“She told me that she wants to take piano lessons, and I think I’m going to let her.”
“Dominick told Cotey that Beth was talking to him about it yesterday. I’m not surprised. She likes music a lot.”
“Well I’m going to call around and see if there are any recommended piano teachers in the area. Maybe she’ll end up being good at it.” Jess smiled.
“That would be nice. Let’s go up to bed,” she said, taking his hand. He followed her up, still holding her hand.
Two weeks later Beth had her first piano lesson. Her teacher, Miss McCarthy was a young woman.
“So you want to learn how to play the piano Beth?” she asked. Beth nodded, sitting down on the piano bench.
“Yup. My Dad said I could try.”
“Alright. First we’re going to learn how to read music. The staff at the top is called the treble clef staff. The noted go C, D, E, F, G, A, B, and then C again. Does that makes sense?” Beth nodded, staring at the piece of sheet music on the stand.
“I think so. So this would be an E?” she asked, pointing to a note.
“Exactly! Now, I’m going to play the notes on this piece of music and you tell me what they are. Beth followed along and recited them perfectly. “Wonderful Beth. Let me show you how to put your hands so you start out in the right spot.”
Almost three months later, Beth jogged into the barn, running smack into Jess. She smiled up at her.
“I figured out a name for him!” she exclaimed happily.
“For your horse?” she asked. Beth nodded excitedly, starting to walk again.
“Of course! Come on, I want to go see if he looks like one!” Jess followed slowly, not really understanding what Beth meant. They reached the stall and a graceful black head appeared over the door. He nuzzled Beth’s shoulder affectionately.
“So what’s his name?” Beth turned and smiled happily.
“Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Isn’t it perfect for him? Just like in Fantasia… that one that Mickey Mouse is in with the brooms. This horse likes to fool around when his boss isn’t around too.”
“That’s perfect Bethy. Where’d you get that idea?”
“At piano lessons. I just started that song. Miss McCarthy says that I show the most promise out of any of her students. Somebody came to hear me today, and said that I was a prodigy.”
“Someone called your dad too, saying they want you to come this summer and work with them.”
“Can I?” Jess shrugged, not knowing what Jason’s final decision was yet.
“I don’t know Bethy. If you go, you won’t do any riding. You’ll also be away from all your friends.”
“Dom is going. He told me today at the studio.”
“Talk to your dad about it. He makes the final decision.”
“You have a say too. You’re practically my Mom.” Jess felt tears well in her eyes and she turned away quickly.
“You’re one great kid Beth Fute,” she said.
“If you say so. Come on, I want to talk to Daddy about this.” Jess nodded, following her toward the door. Suddenly she stopped and asked, “Isn’t your birthday tomorrow Jess?”
“Yup, and you just gave me the best present yet.”
