here's more to it
Part two
A few weeks after Sergio started working for us was my first lesson from him. It wasn’t really a RIDING lesson it was one for me to Spookey ready for an English saddle.
“Alright get on the steps holding the Saddle pad, I’ll walk him up to you and you can rub the pad all over that side of his body. After that I’ll move him around so he’s facing the other side and you’ll do the same.”
I nodded and got on the steps then looked at him, “why am I doing this again?” I asked
“To get him used to the feel of the new pad,” I looked at him clueless but I nodded anyway, “after that we’ll put it on and walk him around with it for a bit”
“Ok” I say then he led my beautiful stallion to me and I did as he said then he led him around and did the same thing I did to his other side when I finished I put the pad on his back and, like Sergio told me, I hopped down and led him around slowly
“When do I get to jump?” I asked him while we were walking Spookey around.
He laughed, “You have a while till you can jump yet.” He looked at me and smiled his, what I learn later is his famous smile, flashy smile “but you will”
“I believe you,” I look at the sun’s position, “Mama’s a little skeptical”
He sighed, “I knew she would be, your Papa said she’s a little weary of me cause where I came from” I looked at him wondering where he did come from.
After a few minutes of silence I knew that the conversation was over by the way he was walking and looking at the grazing mares around us, us in the round sand training ring.
“Royal!” I heard Mama’s voice and sighed and looked at Sergio
“Can you put Spookey away for me?” I ask him pleadingly, he nodded and took Spookey’s lead without saying a word. I looked at him the heard Mama calling again and I ran into the house to her.
“Where were you?” she asked looking mad, I knew that face. Nana and Poppop were coming
“Working on Spookey’s training,” I say looking back at the barn seeing Sergio putting Spookey away and going into the tack room.
“Well, come in and get washed up in your Sunday dress, your grandparents are coming for a visit” I heard her sigh and as we walked inside to the washroom a thought came to my mind, that she may not like her parents that much anymore.
Part Three
When they got there I stood tall in my scratchy skirt I sighed and tried to scratch it
“Royal stop that” I heard Mama whisper; I sighed again and watched Nana get out of her car.
“Oh for once she’s clean and dressed up for us.” Nana said snootily to Mama. I wished I could have punched her right then and there, for the itchy dress and that comment to Mama.
“Well, Mother, Royal has chores to do here you know that.” I saw Nana nod staring at Sergio, who was training a colt we got a while ago.
“Where is Darren at?” Nana asked, changing the subject, still looking at Sergio.
“Papa’s out in the big pasture getting the cattle” I say “he shouldn’t be too much longer”
“Well then, I hope he doesn’t take long I’m starving for Emily’s food” Poppop said with a laugh.
I laughed as well and hugged Poppop; he was my favorite out of the two. “He told us we didn’t have to wait to eat”
“We can eat now mother.” Mama said holding my shoulders now.
“Good. Come now Warren” Nana walked inside like she owned the place.
“Martha, do you have to do this every time?” I hear Poppop ask Nana, and I could tell he was getting mad.
“Yes” that’s all Nana said.
After supper Papa came back and ate. Then we all started to talk in the family room. I sat at Mama’s side on my calves, my skirt covering my legs, I listened to them talk. Nana sat on Poppop’s ride side in Mama’s rocker, Poppop sitting on the footstool to the rocker. Papa sat at his desk chair, which he pulled closer to them. Mama sat to his right sitting on Papa’s rocker.
“Now Darren, be reasonable. Royal needs a better education” Nana said, changing the subject, again.
“Be reasonable about what?!” Papa said almost yelling “Royal is getting a great education for her being here. Martha! She loves it here she wants to stay here!” Papa got up and grabbed one of my trophies and showed it to her “see this! She loves doing this! She wouldn’t give this up for the world, hell she wouldn’t even give up her horse for all of the money in the world!”
Mama grabbed Papa’s hand “Darren, honey, please calm down.” And Papa sat down.
“Yes, Darren calm down your being bull headed” I clenched my fists and stood up “see look at the girl, standing up cause she’s had enough of the fighting. She wants you to stop and let her live with us in the city and sell her horse.” Nana said I clenched my fists harder “see?” Then I walked over to Nana and punched her in the face and walked up to my room after washing her blood off my fists.