46- Go Yonder
Cotey Mallory walked down to the barn, her step slow and steady. Her husband, Sam, was just pulling into the driveway. She smiled, stopping and waiting for him. He walked toward her, putting his arms around her and planting a kiss on her forehead.
“Hi honey, what’re you up to today?” he asked. She smiled up at him and took his hand.
“I was planning on spending the day with Colleen. She wants to do some things before she leaves for Kentucky,” she explained. Sam nodded and followed her into the barn.
“Is riding on the agenda?” he asked. She nodded, stopping at a stall. Their horse, Miami, was there, almost as old as she was. He was thirty, and was still plugging along. Cotey was nearly seventy-six, and was still jumping six foot oxers on good days.
“Always. What’s your plan for the day?” she asked. Sam thought for a moment, walking into the office. He sat down at the desk and opened some books.
“I was thinking of going to the track and talking to some people about the race schedule this summer. Is that alright with you?” She nodded.
“Sure. Let me know before you leave ok?” He smiled.
“I could do that. I love you,” he said.
“I love you too.”
Colleen let herself into her grandmother’s house and called, “Grandma, I’m here!” Cotey appeared, smiling warmly at her granddaughter.
“Hi sweetheart. How’s your day been?” she asked. Colleen smiled and gave her a hug.
“Fine so far. What’re we doing today?” Cotey thought for a moment and smiled.
“Let’s have some breakfast and then go for a ride,” she said. Colleen grinned and followed her into the kitchen.
“Sounds great Grandma.”
Colleen held Raven back, watching her grandmother ride. They were riding toward the start of the cross-country course. Cotey was riding a young horse named Jupiter around in circles to limber her up. The horse was only three.
“Are you almost ready Grandma?” Colleen asked. Cotey nodded and pulled up.
“I sure am. Why don’t you go first Colleen? I want to see you ride,” she said. Colleen hesitated, knowing the rules her parents had made. She was supposed to keep her grandmother in sight at all times when they rode, just in case something happened. “Colleen are you alright?” Cotey asked.
“I’m fine. I guess I’ll go first, so long as you promise to be extra careful.” Cotey smiled.
“I always am dear. Go ahead.” Colleen began, going over the first three jumps. She glanced under her right arm, smiling with relief when she saw Cotey taking jumps right after her. With a content sigh she turned her attention back to the jumps ahead of her. They cleared them all, stopping at the end. Colleen frowned, looking back at the course. Her grandmother wasn’t coming. Colleen felt her heartbeat quicken as she squeezed Raven’s sides.
“Walk on Raven,” she said quietly. After a few steps she asked him trot, then to canter. On the seventh jump she found her grandmother. Cotey was laying on the ground, her eyes closed, and small smile on her face.
At the hospital Sam, Jason, Jess, Dominick, Beth, and all the rest of Cotey’s family sat in quiet tension. Rachel and Jim were on their way from Maryland with their son Mike. Colleen sat in a chair way from the rest of the family, her knees drawn up to her chest. Beth went to her side and put a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“Colleen, do you want anything to eat?” she asked. Colleen shook her head sharply, not looking up from the floor. Beth sighed, glancing at Dominick. He shrugged, his eyes filled with a deep pain. She went back and sat next to him, put her arm around his waist.
“She’ll snap out of it eventually honey,” he said, squeezing her shoulder.
“I hope so. I called Chris and his parents are bringing him over. Brandon’s coming too, so that should help.” The door opened and everyone except Colleen looked up. Chris and Brandon walked in side by side, both wearing concerned expressions.
“Colleen?” they said in the same voice. She looked up then and stood. They all wrapped their arms around each other, hugging tightly.
“Thank you for coming,” she whispered. Brandon and Chris nodded, pulling away and smiling down at her.
“Anytime,” Chris said, and Brandon nodded in agreement. Everyone looked as the door was opened once again. A doctor walked in, his face grim. Sam, Jason, Jess, and Dominick all stood and Colleen stepped forward. Just as the doctor was about to begin the door was thrown open; Rachel, Jim, and Mike walked in.
“Is everyone here?” the doctor asked, looking around at the sea of faces. Sam nodded slowly.
“Yes. How is my wife?” he demanded, a shock of once black hair, now grey, falling across his forehead.
“Quite frankly, she’s doing very poorly. I don’t think she’ll make a full recovery… she may not recover at all,” he explained. Colleen took a steadying breath.
“Can we see her?” Sam asked, his voice shaking. The doctor nodded.
“I’ll let you all go in at once due to the circumstances,” he replied.
“Thank you doctor,’ Sam said, leading the way toward his wife’s room.
Cotey was awake when her family arrived, which surprised them all.
“Is everyone here?” she whispered. Sam nodded. The room was full of her loved ones. “Jason come here,” she said softly. The man moved closer, taking her hand.
“I’m right here Cotey, he said, looking down at her. She smiled a small smile.
“You were the best thing in Carrie’s life… and one of my best friends. You’ve made Jess happier than I could have ever imagined seeing her, and you’ve made Beth so very happy in her life. Take care of Sam, and be good to yourself,” she said. Jason nodded, a tear slipping down his cheek.
“I will,” he promised, kissing her forehead before backing away from the bed.
“Jessi,” she said simply. Jess came to the bedside, trying to hide her tears. “You were the best student I ever had… you exceeded all my expectations and everyone else’s. You were my best friend, and I will miss you greatly.” Jess squeezed Cotey’s hand tightly.
“I’ll miss you too Cotey,” she whispered, going to Jason’s side and beginning to cry. Jason wrapped hi arms around her, crying with her.
“Where are my children?” Cotey asked. Dominick released Beth and walked forward with Rachel.
“Yeah Ma?” Dominick asked, biting back the tears that were threatening to fall.
“I love you both… you are the true gifts in my life. You weren’t my students, but you have become two of the best riders I have ever seen. Don’t stop your life when I am gone, because you have a good many years ahead of you.” They both nodded, each kissing one of her cheeks and backing away. “Beth, come here.” Beth hesitated, then went forward. “You are the bravest you lady I have ever known. You have gone further than anyone imagined. I’m proud to know that you married my son… proud to consider you my daughter.” Beth smiled and stepped back. Cotey was silent for a long time before saying, “Sam.” He stepped forward and everyone was silent. He took her hand, smiling down at her.
“You’re still my beautiful girl,” he said softly. She gave a little laugh and shook her head.
“And you’re still lying to me to make me feel better,” she said.
“I’m not lying,” he said seriously, touching the side of her face.
“You helped me through the worst time in my life… you were my life. Let someone help you through what I can’t,” she said, tears filling her eyes.
“I will,” he promised. He leaned down and kissed her, then backed away. Rachel and Dominick put their arms around him.
“Colleen come here,” Cotey continued. “I’d like everyone else to leave.” There was a brief hesitation among the group, but they all finally left.
“What is it Grandma?” Colleen asked. Cotey motioned for her to come closer and she obeyed. When the girl reached the side of the bed Cotey took her hand.
“I want you to continue where I left off. Go this summer, win… keep winning until you’re sick of it, then teach others your gift.”
“Grandma, I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“Don’t be honey… it was bound to happen sooner or later. I love you. Tell everyone I didn’t get to that I love them too.”
“I will.”
“I love you Colleen, and I have faith in you,” Cotey said, and her hand dropped. Colleen took a steadying breath, biting back tears as she went into the hall.
“Grandma is gone,” she whispered, and walked away.
Sam walked through the barn, looking for the young horse Cotey had been riding the day of the accident. He stopped at a stall and looked in. The horse looked at him with kind eyes, but he didn’t soften. He let himself into the stall, clipping a lead to her halter. He led the filly outside and picked up his gun.
“Grandpa, don’t do that,” a voice said. He whirled and saw Colleen standing in the path. She was wearing a pair of shorts, a t-shirt, and a pair of sneakers. Her eyes were filled with a deep pain.
“It’s this animal’s fault,” he muttered, looking a her steadily.
“Is it really? Or are you just looking for someone to blame?” she asked. Sam sighed, putting the gun down.
“I don’t know anymore sweetheart.”
“I want her,” Colleen said. Sam’s gaze shot up.
“Why?”
“I just do. Can I please have her?” she said seriously. Sam looked at the young animal standing before him, then nodded.
“Take her,” he said, turning and walking back into the barn. Colleen too the lead and led the filly back toward home.
Colleen gave Brandon a hug and then pulled away. “I’m sorry Brandon, but I just can’t handle this relationship right now,” she said.
“It’s time we went different ways anyway,” he replied sincerely.
“I hope you and Chris can be friends… he wasn’t trying to break us up.”
“He seems like a great guy Colleen. I hope you and I can stay friends.”
“Definitely. I better go, I need to finish packing,” she said. He nodded and watched as she walked back to the house.
Chris and Colleen walked along the trails, stopping at the stream. They sat down, both silent. She was leaving that night, along with Raven and Jupiter and most of her possessions.
“I’m going to miss you Colleen Giran,” he said. She smiled a weak smile.
“I’ll write you all the time… it’ll be the same as when you lived in Nevada.”
“I don’t want it to be like that,” he replied.
“How do you want it to be?” she questioned. He sighed, shrugging his shoulders.
“I want you to be around. I don’t want you to be two thousand miles away again.”
“Why not? Don’t you want me to succeed?” she demanded.
“I want you to succeed here. You could do it here couldn’t you?” he asked.
“I could, but it wouldn’t be the same. Hickory Acres wants me to ride for them. My Grandmother wanted me to do this,” she said, turning her gaze away so he wouldn’t see the tears that filled her eyes. He took her chin, forcing her to look into his deep blue eyes.
“I’m not trying to sound like I’m against you. I just want you here,” he said.
“I’m sorry,” she said. He shook his head, then suddenly kissed her. Colleen hesitated for a moment, then kissed back. It went on for a long time before he pulled away. He looked at her intensely for a moment, then let go of her. She stood, swallowing hard. “I’ve gotta’ go Chris. I’ll write you,” she whispered. He nodded, looking up at her.
“I’ll wait for you Colleen,” he promised. She turned and jogged away, not looking back.
Her father didn’t say anything to her at the airport that night. They sat in an uncomfortable silence until Colleen said, “Dad?”
“What?” he replied in a crisp tone. She sighed and shook her head.
“Never mind.”
“What is it?” he demanded.
“Grandma told me to tell you that she loves everyone. She also told me to carry on where she left off,” she said. With those final words she stood up and walked down the boarding ramp to her plane, leaving home and all she knew behind.
