30- Jealousy Strikes
Rachel and Dominick Giran followed their parents over to Jason Fute’s house. Beth was having a birthday party, and had invited Dominick. Rachel knew that her parents should have let her stay home, but it was too late now. The two friends hadn’t talked in months, since the beginning of the summer. It was now mid-December.
“Let’s trot everyone!” Cotey called back. Rachel signaled Rajah to trot, rising and falling with his smooth trot. Dominick did the same, asking his mount Objection to tort. They rode into the stable yard fifteen minutes later. Beth was sitting on a tall bay, riding at an extended canter along the woods. The horse shied when he saw all the people come into the yard, but Beth urged him on.
“Come on champ, let’s keep going. Once more and then we’re done,” she whispered. He listened, going past all the trees again. With a smile she turned him toward the barn. David, Megan, and Tony were standing by the barn door.
“That looked nice Beth,” David told her sincerely. Beth smiled, dismounting and running her stirrups up. Megan threw her arms around Beth’s legs, smiling up at her.
“He’s a good boy, isn’t he Beth?” she asked excitedly. Beth nodded, handing her reins to David.
“He sure is. He should be ok for you to unsaddle him David. If he acts up, give me a call.” She picked Megan up and took Tony’s hand.
“Am I invited to your party Beth?” Megan asked.
“You can come for a little while, but after that we’ll be doing big kid things.” Megan nodded.
“Put me down. I’m six, I can walk!” Beth laughed and put the little girl down, watching as she raced toward Beth’s house.
“She likes you a lot,” Tony observed.
“What about you?” she demanded. He laughed and put his arm around her waist.
“I like you more than she ever will. Come on, let’s get up there before she trashes your party.” She grinned and they jogged to the house together.
Dominick glanced up when Beth raced into the house, frowning when he saw that she was with another boy. Beth smiled at the few friends she had invited, then saw Rachel sitting next to her brother on the couch. She looked at the boy and said something. Dominick watched as he put his arm around her and kissed her forehead.
“Happy birthday kiddo!” Sam exclaimed. She smiled.
“Thanks for coming guys, I really appreciate it. Now all the adults need to get out of the house. We’re going to order our pizzas and watch movies, and do things you wouldn’t approve of.” She waved as she pushed her parents out the door, taking money from her father.
“What movies did we get?” Tony asked her. She frowned.
“I can’t remember. Come on guys, let’s get this party started!” she exclaimed.
Tony walked down to the barn with Beth the next evening, holding her hand.
“Did you have a good birthday?” he asked.
“Yeah, screaming at Rachel in front of a group of people is my idea of a great time. She shouldn’t have come.”
“I thought you two were best friends.”
“Not anymore.” He nodded.
“OK.” They walked in silence for a long time, then stopped in front of King’s stall.
“Hey big guy, how’ve you been? Are you up for a little ride?” she asked. The horse bobbed his head excitedly and Beth smiled. “Let me go get your tack. We’ll work on that new dressage stuff tonight.” She walked toward the tack room with Tony still beside her.
“What’s dressage?” he asked.
“It’s the art of being completely one with your horse. You do a lot of advanced flat work. I’ve been working at it since I was eight, and I’m still not that good at it,” she said, grabbing her dressage tack. Tony followed her back toward the stall, letting his hand squeeze her shoulder.
“You sound really let down about that,” he said quietly. She shrugged and let herself into the stall, beginning to groom King. Fifteen minutes later she led the horse out of the stall. Tony stared at the animal, his eyes wide.
“Close your mouth before you catch flies,” she kidded.
“He looks totally different than he does when you’re jumping him.”
“You should see us when I’m wearing my show clothes. We both look really different.” He smiled, grabbing King’s reins so she couldn’t go any further, and kissing her gently. Beth wrapped her arms around him, moving closer.
“Umm… excuse me,” a voice said. Beth pulled away and turned. Dominick was standing behind them, holding Objection’s reins.
“Oh Dom, it’s just you. Did you meet Tony last night?” she asked, putting her free arm around Tony’s waist.
“Yeah, I think so. Are we going to work on this routine tonight, or are you too wrapped up with other things?” he muttered. She gave him a sharp look.
“I think we could work on it. We haven’t gotten too far, let’s just do it from the beginning. It’s so hard to do things at the same time you do, King moves so much differently than Objection.”
“Sorry, I can’t do anything about that. Let’s get started.” She nodded, leading King into the ring. Tony watched as they began a beautiful routine. Suddenly Dominick pulled up and dismounted.
“What’s wrong?” she demanded as he led his horse from the ring.
“Nothing, other than the fact that you totally can’t ride. I’ll see you around Beth.” Tony caught Dominick’s arm, pushing him against the wall roughly.
“Watch how you talk to her,” he warned. Dominick shoved him off, moving to soothe his horse.
“Get off me. Beth, I thought you’d get a boyfriend who actually knew something about horses. He could’ve gotten us both hurt by that stupid stunt.” Beth dismounted, throwing her reins over the wall.
“Back off Dominick. Just because you’re jealous doesn’t give you the right to treat everyone like this. Don’t be such a jerk.”
“I’m jealous? You should get off that pedestal you’re on Beth, it’s not very becoming.”
“Just get out of here,” she muttered, turning, grabbing King’s reins and leading him away. Tony shot him a final glance, then caught up with Beth.
Lion cantered around the pasture, not wanting to go in for the night. David sighed, glancing at the driveway. Beth still wasn’t home from school, and the horse wouldn’t come to him.
“Come on Lion, let’s go. There’s some nice warm mash waiting for you!” he yelled.
“You should’ve called me,” a voice said. He whirled, smiling when he saw Beth.
“Where’ve you been? I’ve been looking for your car all day.”
“After school I went to the mall with Tony. Then I came home and did homework, then practiced for awhile. Didn’t Tony tell you I was home?”
“Nope. Why don’t you catch him?”
“OK. Hey champ, let’s go!” she called. The horse stopped, turned toward her with his ears pricked forward, then cantered toward her. He stopped about a foot from her. She grinned, taking the lead from David and clipping it to Lion’s halter. “Good boy,” she said, patting his neck. He woofed a warm breath into her hand and then followed her toward the barn.
“I wish I knew how you did that,” David said. Beth smiled and led Lion into his stall.
“So do I. I’ll be up at the house if you need me,” she said, turning and walking back out into the darkness. Someone caught her arm, pulling her closer. Tony smiled down at her, kissing her nose.
“What’s going on?” he asked. They were in the shadow of the barn, his arms around her waist.
“Not much. Your father was wondering how I got Lion to do the things I want him to.”
“If my owner looked as good as you do, I’d do whatever she said too,” he said. She smiled, standing on her tip toes so she could kiss him.
“You are crazy,” she said. He shrugged, kissing her again.
“About you. Are your parents home tonight?”
“No. Is that a subtle hint?” He shrugged again, pulling her closer.
“You said that, I didn’t,” he muttered. She laughed, taking his hand and leading him toward her house.
Dominick knocked on Beth’s door quietly, hanging his head in shame. He didn’t get an answer, so he knocked louder. He waited for another few minutes, then let himself in.
“Beth, are you here?” he called. He heard something in the living room, so he went in. Beth was on the couch, making out with Tony. “Whoa,” he muttered. Beth and Tony sat up quickly, and Tony stood. Beth grabbed his arm.
“What the heck are you doing here?” Beth demanded.
“I came to apologize for the other day, but apparently you’ve already forgotten. I didn’t know that your father let boys in the house when he wasn’t home,” he muttered.
“He always let you here when he wasn’t home. Mind your own business Dominick,” she said angrily.
“Well somebody needs to make sure you don’t do anything stupid. Have you messed around with many of the stable hand’s kids?” Tony pulled away from Beth, lunging at Dominick. The sound of his fist colliding with Dominick’s face made Beth scream. She saw the blood, and realized that it was Dominick’s face that was blood.
“Oh God, Dominick!” she screamed. She pushed Tony out of the way, touching Dominick’s face gently. ”What did you do to him?” she demanded, her eyes wide.
“Beth, what are you talking about? I defended you and all you can think about is him?” She was muttering something incoherently, her hand still on Dominick’s face. Dominick put his arms around Beth gently.
“She’ll appreciate it later, but I think you should go now. It might take a little while for her to calm down.”
“What’s wrong with her?” Tony asked quietly. Dominick shook his head.
“You had to be there,” he said simply. Tony nodded, turning and walking from the house.
Jason and Jess arrived home late that night, only to find Dominick and Beth still sitting on the living room floor. Dominick glanced up, catching Jason’s eye.
“What happened to you?” Jason demanded, kneeling beside them. Dominick sighed but didn’t let go of her. She was staring off into space, and Dominick was rocking slowly back and forth, his hand moving in slow circles on her back.
“Tony and I got into a fight. Beth saw the blood on my face and flipped out. I don’t know what to do, she’s never been like this before. She won’t even talk to me.”
“Let’s call the doctor, maybe he can suggest something,” Jason said, moving toward the phone. Dominick sat with Beth, still rocking.
The doctor came into the waiting room, a frown on his face.
“What’s wrong with her?” Jason demanded. The man sighed and put a hand on Jason’s shoulder.
“I have no idea. She’s responsive to all our equipment, she just won’t talk to us. It looks like she’s just in shock. We’ve called Beth’s psychiatrist and she’s on the way.”
“Can we go see her?” Dominick asked.
“She’s said your name several times. I think you might be able to get her out of this.” Dominick shook his head slowly.
“I don’t know if I’m the person she should come around to… I’m part of the reason she’s like this.” Jason put his hand on Dominick’s shoulder.
“You’re going to go in there and do whatever you can to pull her out of this,” he said.
“I’ll try,” he said, following the doctor to Beth’s room.
Beth was alone in the room, sitting on a bed. The doctor left them alone, so Dominick sat down beside her.
“Beth, you’ve gotta’ come back now and talk to us,” he said, taking her shoulders. She looked at him with blank eyes, but her hand went up to the side of his face.
“Your face was bloody Dom,” she whispered. Dominick smiled.
“I know, but you can yell at your boyfriend later. I’m OK Beth, everything is ok. We’re both safe,” he promised. Suddenly her eyes returned to normal.
“Dom?” she asked quietly. He nodded and put his arms around her.
“It’s Ok Beth,” he assured her, rubbing her back gently. Beth sighed, snuggling closer.
“I was so scared Dominick. I just kept reliving it over and over again. It wouldn’t stop this time… I always could stop it before. What’s wrong with me?” she asked, starting to cry.
“Absolutely nothing,” a new voice said. They looked up and found Doctor Sheridan standing in the doorway.
“What are you doing here?” Beth asked.
“The doctors thought you might need me.”
“Thanks for coming. How do you know there’s nothing wrong with me?” Beth asked.
“Because of what you’ve been through. You will always be overprotective of Dominick, because of what happened to you both. He’s the only person in the whole world that understands you… he knows what it’s like to wake up in a cold sweat. He was with you that day, and you will always have a strong reaction when he’s in danger. It won’t always be this strong.” Dominick nodded and gave her hand a squeeze. “You were afraid because you saw blood on his face today?”
“Really afraid. I could barely breathe.” Dominick slid his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer.
“Like I said, you won’t always react this way when he gets hurt. Things will get better. Right now you’re just thinking too much.”
“You’re telling me to stop thinking?” Beth asked incredulously.
“Yup. I’m going to go sign you out of this joint. Be back in a minute.” They watched as the woman disappeared.
“She’s pretty great isn’t she?” Dominick asked. Beth nodded against his chest.
“Yeah. I’m sorry… this must not be too easy for you. You didn’t have to come.”
“I wanted to come… we both know why.”
“You know how I feel about that, how I’ll probably always feel. Let’s not get into it now, I’m too tired.”
“I can’t believe Tony is good enough for you, and I’m…” she cut him off.
“Don’t do that to yourself. It isn’t about who’s good enough… you’re my best friend, the best friend I have. You’re practically the only friend I have. Please don’t start this now.”
“Fine. I think we can leave now. Are you up to walking?” Beth nodded and they both stood, her arm still around his waist. They walked out of the room and down the hall, their arms still around each other.
Beth rode Lion along the path through the woods. It was December 22nd, and she had been working toward this since June.
“Good boy champ, keep it up,” she whispered, patting his neck. He flicked his ears back and forth, keeping a steady trot. A noise in front of them made him stop short.
“It’s just me!” Dominick’s voice called. Beth patted Lion’s neck and let him watch the path.
“He just got a little spooked. Where are you?” she asked. Dominick appeared on Objection.
“We were on the other side of that huge leaf pile, and I couldn’t find any other way around it. Sorry.” Beth shrugged, patting Lion’s neck again.
“It’s alright, he’ll have to get use to it. I love riding in the woods, and unexpected visitors are common. He’s doing better than I thought he would.”
“Where’s Tony?” Dominick asked.
“Skiing I think. Don’t start with this, OK?” she asked. He nodded, letting Objection walk beside Lion.
“Have you and Rachel patched things up yet?”
“No, and I don’t think we ever will. She didn’t have any right saying what she did.”
“She didn’t know any better. Rachel isn’t like everyone else in our lives; she doesn’t walk on eggshells to please anyone.”
“Well, that’s probably her biggest flaw when it comes to the mountain. She knows that I don’t dwell on too many things, and when I do it’s something that really bothers me. She was way out of line, and it’s going to take a lot more than her whining to make me forgive her.”
“Oh. Well, I guess I should ride with you on the way back,” he said changing the subject.
“Why’s that?” she asked.
“In case he spooks or takes off. If you fell I’d want to be there to help you.”
“Gee thanks, but I’ll be fine. See you around Dom.” She told Lion to trot, and rode off rising and falling with the even beat. He sighed, watching as she rode away.
Tony walked into Beth’s house, looking for her. He found her at a piano, looking at a piece of music and deeply concentrated. He tiptoed behind her and whispered, “Boo.” She jumped and screamed, whirling to look at him.
“Don’t do that!” she exclaimed, hitting his shoulder playfully. He grinned and leaned down to kiss her.
“Couldn’t resist it. How’ve you been?” he questioned, straddling the bench beside her. She shrugged, putting the music on the stand in front of her.
“Alright I guess. I rode Lion through the woods this morning, and he was perfect. Dominick surprised us, but he barely flinched.” Tony’s jaw tightened at the mention of Dominick.
“Why do you still talk to him?” he demanded, standing up and pacing beside the piano bench.
“Please don’t start with this again. I already told you… he’s my best friend. Please don’t make me chose when it comes to things like this.” He kept his back to her.
“I’m not making you choose, I just want you to think about it. What’s so great about him? He makes fun of the way you ride, insults me, and gets into fights with me. I don’t think he’s that good a friend.” Beth stood and put her arms around his waist, stranding on her tiptoes and kissing his neck.
“Could we just drop this now? I don’t want to argue with you. Dom has been told to stay out of my relationships, and to stay away from you. Don’t worry about it, ok?” He turned and put his arms around her.
“I just don’t like him Beth.”
“Please?” she begged. He sighed, leaning down and kissing her gently.
“I’m sorry,” he said. She smiled.
“It’s alright. I need to practice this music now. My teacher gave me a couple new songs to work with.”
“Do you have to practice right now?” he asked. She laughed and nodded.
“Yup. I’ve had them for almost a week, and still haven’t started.” He sighed.
“Alright. Do you want me to go or stay?”
“What do you think?” she murmured, giving him another kiss before sitting down at the piano. Tony listened as she played the song ‘Tears in Heaven’ by Eric Clapton. When she finished she asked, “How was that?” He sat down beside her on the piano bench.
“I think you’re amazing,” he said sincerely, taking her face in his hands.
“Really?” she murmured, smiling.
“Really,” he said, kissing her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he slid his arms around her waist.
“Elizabeth,” a voice said suddenly. Beth jumped, pulling away from Tony. Her father was standing in the doorway with his arms crossed. She smiled sheepishly.
“Hey Daddy, you’re home early,” she muttered. Jason nodded, glancing at Tony.
“Why don’t you head home Tony? Your father was looking for you down at the barn. Beth will see you later.” Tony gave Beth’s hand a squeeze as he stood up.
“I’ll see you soon Beth,” he said, walking out. Beth waited until she heard the front door shut, then stood.
“How could you embarrass me like that?” she demanded angrily. Jason followed her into the living room.
“What? Beth you were all over each other!” he yelled. She whirled to face him.
“We weren’t all over each other. We were just kissing. I’m seventeen years old, I know how to take care of myself!”
“No you don’t! You’re a young girl, and you’re apparently not ready for a boyfriend. Is that what you do every time I leave the house?” he demanded.
“No, of course not! You’re being completely unfair. We weren’t even doing anything,” she insisted.
“Elizabeth, you aren’t going to see him anymore,” Jason said. Her jaw dropped.
“You can’t stop me!” she yelled, starting from the room. Jason caught her arm.
“You wanna make a bet?” he asked quietly. She glared up at him.
“Try and stop me!” she shot back. Suddenly the front door opened and Jess walked in.
“What’s going on?” she demanded. Jason let go of Beth and she raced from the house.
“I caught her making out with Tony. I told her that she can’t see him anymore.” Jess sighed, taking off her jacket and hanging it up.
“Jason, do you mean to tell me that you never made out with a girl when you were her age?” she asked. Jason sighed and plopped down on the couch.
“Of course I did, but that’s different. Beth is my little girl, she shouldn’t be kissing boys.” Jess laughed, putting her arms around him.
“She isn’t a little girl anymore Jason, she’s a beautiful young woman. You have to let her grow up.” He sighed again and then kissed her.
“I guess you’re right. I’ll wait for her to get back and then apologize.”
“She really likes Tony. I’m glad she’s dating him; she’s been happier since he got here.”
“Except for that thing with Dominick. She wasn’t to happy then was she?”
“No, but that wasn’t really anyone’s fault. I’m going to go start dinner.” Jason nodded, following her to the kitchen to help.
Beth sat on the pasture fence with Tony, her arm around his waist. He kissed her forehead.
“He really said that we couldn’t see each other anymore?” he asked. She nodded, brushing tears from her face.
“Yeah. I don’t know why he got so mad. We weren’t doing anything.”
“Just this,” he said, kissing her tenderly. She smiled against his lips.
“Just that,” she agreed. They sat that way for a long time… and suddenly Beth found herself losing her balance. Tony tried to catch her, but they both ended up falling into the deep snow. She smiled at him.
“Sorry, tried to stop you,” he said.
“It’s alright, didn’t hurt.” He grinned, running his fingers through her curly blonde hair.
“I’m sorry your Dad freaked out like this. I shouldn’t have been kissing you like that in your house… what was I thinking?” he said with a smile.
“Hey, no teasing or else,” she warned.
“Or else what? Will you beat me up?” She nodded defiantly, sitting up slightly.
“You better believe it.”
“I suppose I could stop picking on you,” he muttered with mock reluctance. She smiled and put her arms around him and he leaned down to kiss her.
“Can I interrupt you two for a minute?” a voice asked. Tony pulled away and they both looked. His father was standing at the fence, a smirk on his face.
“Sure Dad, what’s up?” he asked, standing and helping Beth to her feet.
“Megan needs a babysitter so I can go out tonight. I wasn’t aware that you’d be so busy though.” Beth felt her jaw drop.
“Dad!” Tony exclaimed. David laughed.
“What’s wrong son, can’t take a little joking around?” David asked.
“I’ll meet you up at the house ok?” he muttered. David nodded, turning and walking away.
“Well that was mortifying,” Beth murmured. Tony gave her a tight hug.
“He’s so weird sometimes. I better get up to the house. I’ll talk to you soon?” She nodded.
“I’ll try to change my father’s mind,” she promised.
“We’ll work it out either way.” She smiled and gave him a quick kiss.
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” she said, climbing through the slats in the fence.
“Meet me in the loft after school, nobody will be there at that time of day.” She nodded and jogged toward her house.
Jess was sitting on the kitchen counter when Beth got home the next day.
“Hey kiddo. Your father wanted me to tell you that he was being a little ridiculous yesterday, and that you can see Tony again.”
“Really?” Beth demanded. Jess nodded and smiled as her daughter hugged her tightly.
“Thanks Mom!” she exclaimed, starting for the front door.
“Beth those are school clothes!” she called. Beth laughed but continued out the door.
When she got to the barn Tony was already there. She smiled and threw her arms around him.
“What’re you so happy about?” he asked. She smiled and kissed him.
“My father changed his mind,” she said.
“Really?” he demanded. He wrapped his arm around her and hugged her tightly.
“My Mom must’ve had something to do with it, she’s the one that told me.”
“I don’t know what she did, but tell her I say thanks,” he said.
“I’m so glad. I would’ve missed you?”
“I would’ve missed you too. Do you want to go see a movie tonight?” She hesitated.
“I have to go over to practice the dressage routine with Dominick tonight.”
“Why do you have to spend so much time with him?” he demanded, his smile disappearing. Beth pulled away slowly, staring at him.
“Are you jealous of Dominick? If that’s it, you shouldn’t be. I don’t like him as anything more than a friend.”
“I’m not jealous. There’s nothing to be jealous of.”
“Then you shouldn’t be so upset that I’m going over there. I’ll talk to you later.” She whirled and started from the loft.
“Beth, you have to choose between him and me. I can’t keep doing this,” he said. She turned and stared at him for a long moment before leaving.
Dominick was in the arena when she arrived at his house. She led King into the arena slowly.
“Hey, how’ve you been?” she asked. He shrugged, looking at her seriously.
“Can’t complain. What’s wrong?” he inquired. She shook her head and smiled.
“You can read me like a book Dom. I had a fight with Tony, that’s all.”
“He’s a jerk,” Dominick said. Beth sighed, turning and leading King from the ring.
“I’m leaving,” she said. He stared at her, not understanding what he’d done.
“What’s the matter?” he called. She looked at him, shaking her head.
“I’m so sick of you two being jealous of each other. I like Tony, and neither one of you can figure that out.”
“I’m not going to keep fighting with you over him Beth. We’ll never get to practice this routine if all you can think about is him.”
“Are you asking me to choose?” she demanded.
“I guess I am,” he said. Beth sighed, turning and walking out.
