Oh HorseFeathers! Not-So-Short Stories

Nightfall

2010-12-09T12:56:00.000-08:00

Keeley was exhausted. After getting Legacy back to his stall and treated according to the new plan her father suggested, they had made their way to the main house. Sean was worn down to nothing. His face was pale, and there was a tremor to his limbs that had Keeley worried. She hoped though, that a good meal and a good night's rest would be enough to help him get back on track. They'd cooked together in the kitchen, talking over Legacy and making plans for the rest of his recovery. Once one of the most revered rehab specialists in the region, Keeley was thrilled to hear her father talking horse again, instead of ranting and raving about a harpy stealing his horses and medications.

As she tucked him in for the night, she heard him whisper her mother's name, and something about Legacy. Soon he slipped into sleep, settled for the night.

Keeley made her way to her apartment, stopping to check Legacy and Bad Ass along the way. The big horse was once again sprawled in the shavings, but he woke up enough to nicker at Keeley before dropping back to sleep again. Bad Ass, ever at Keeley's heels, reached out a mighty paw and swatted her leg. He pointedly was telling her that she too needed rest and standing in the barn watching a horse was not going to cut it.

She scooped up the big cat and buried her face in his fur. Together they made their way in, and went directly to bed. Bad Ass took up his now customary place at the foot of her bed, curled in a ball watching over her.

It seemed she had only been asleep a short time when Keeley sat straight up in bed. Her heart was pounding, hands shaking, and she looked around wildly wondering what had woken her, trying to wake up and determine what was real and what was not. There was no denying the sense of urgency that propelled her, still half asleep, stumbling from bed, pulling on her shoes and heading to the door. Still not sure WHY she felt the need to run, she bolted from the apartment to the barn proper. A quick check on Legacy revealed him still sleeping soundly in his stall, content and fine. She whirled around, bolting for the door that led to the yard and the main house. Bad Ass ran ahead of her, almost as if he was urging her to go faster, faster, and pointing towards the main house.

She raced through the dark night, breath coming in short gasps. Bad Ass threw himself up the stairs by the screen door, waiting for Keeley to catch up. She fumbled with the door, hands shaking, sobbing. Finally getting the door open, she pushed through into the kitchen. Looking wildly around, she made her way to her father's bedroom, desperate to make sure he was OK.

When she rounded the corner to the bedroom, she stopped short. Her father's bed was empty. Where? She ran to the bathroom, and finding it empty she did a fast search of the rest of the house. Not finding her father anywhere inside, she bolted back outside to begin searching.

Somehow, she knew. She knew where to run - Legacy's old paddock. Bad Ass was ahead of her, waiting for Keeley to catch up. Keeley drew up short at the gate to the paddock. She saw him then, kneeling down in the grass under the oak tree. The moon played hide and seek behind some thin clouds, but Keeley could clearly see the bent form of her father. A wave of weakness washed over her, making her legs shake and her breath come in ragged gasps. Over her breathing she could hear her father's sobs, and his words, talking to Katherine. It felt wrong to intrude somehow, so Keeley and Bad Ass kept to the shadows.

Healing

2010-12-09T12:30:00.000-08:00

Bad Ass sat in his favorite place in the sun. Keeley was with Legacy, letting him graze on a bit of green grass. A breeze now and then stirred, pushing Keeley's hair around into her eyes. He watched as she flipped her head, attempting to toss the mass of curls out of her face, knowing it was not going to stay that way. Carefully she worked a comb through the mass of snarls and mats in Legacy's mane, doing her best to untangle the knotted mess. Legacy soon stopped grazing, and stood resting one hind leg, dozing in the sunshine. Keeley's fingers gently pulled and sorted, picking bits of hay, burrs, and even a twist of wire out of the black mass in front of her. She concentrated on the job so deeply that she did not hear the distant hoof beats.

Bad Ass did though.

Legacy stood, soaking up the sun.

Keeley's concentration was unbroken. She was determined to work the snarls and mats out of Legacy's mane today. If there was one thing she despised, it was a neglected mane and tail on a horse. Getting this disaster sorted out would not only make her feel better, but she was convinced it would do Legacy a world of good too. Tending his wounds, working on the knots and painful muscles and feeding him would help, but getting rid of the disaster along his once proud and finely muscled neck would do wonders for them both.

She about jumped out of her skin when her father spoke at her shoulder. The last thing she expected to hear was Sean's voice, asking after Legacy. Bad Ass saw Keeley jump, and being the rotten old soul that he was, he couldn't help but laugh to himself.

Legacy heard the cat and he opened his eye to glare in Bad Ass's general direction. "Don't you be laughing at my Keeley you old scoundrel."

"Oh please. She jumped about six feet when her dad talked to her. If you weren't sleeping, you would have laughed at the expression on her face too!"

Legacy flipped an ear at the cat and swished his tail. He then reached his nose out to nuzzle Keeley, trying to see if she had a cookie in her pocket.

"Well, at least he can move enough to get out here in the sunshine. What treatments have you been doing so far with him?"

Startled at his question, Keeley had to stop and think for a moment. "Well, he's on a pretty careful diet at the moment, and I've washed and treated his wounds, rubbed his legs out with liniment, and just tried to ease him into walking a bit here and there. Do you think we need to step it up some Dad?"

Sean nodded, looking over Legacy's badly stocked up legs. "With that swelling, he needs a bit of help to get things circulating properly again. Have you done a mud pack on his feet? Or tried to sweat his legs a bit?"

Legacy dozed back off as Keeley and Sean discussed his care. Keeley noticed the drop in the horse's head, and the tremor in his legs again at the same time as her father. "Let's get him back into his stall. I think he needs to lay down again for a bit." Sean reached out for the first time to touch Legacy, running a hand down his neck. He tried hard to keep his emotions in check but there was no denying the odd mix of pain, sorrow, joy and love that fought in his chest. Coughing a bit to cover a small sob, he started walking towards the barn.

Bad Ass sat and watched the trio. A stooped and shuffling old man, a limping and battered walking skeleton of a horse, and a younger woman caught in the middle, doing her best to hold them all together. He knew the weight of the world was on her shoulders. Giving a sigh, the big cat strolled after them through the late afternoon sun.

Agony

2010-12-09T11:52:00.000-08:00

He smiled in his sleep. Riding- it had been at least a decade since he had sat a horse, but in this dream, he was RIDING. The horse he was mounted on was huge. Dapple gray, with an incredible long, flowing mane, Sean Cullen was once again on a horse. The simple act of sitting on a horse- never mind a horse like this- brought about a joy that Sean had not felt in far too long. He sat up tall on the broad back, and lifted his smiling face to the Heavens. Soon, he felt the horse begin to walk, and the gentle rocking motion brought back so many memories. He and his beloved, beautiful Katherine used to ride together all the time. She thought nothing of issuing a dare, and racing off ahead of him, turning back to smile a wicked grin and let out a laugh, shouting at him, "Keep up, Sean! Keep up!"

So many rides together. Lives tightly interwoven with horses. When he lost her, the love of his life, he lost all desire to ride or to even look at horses. Age was shaking him now, and he knew- deep down he knew- that he did not have much longer left on this Earth.

He relaxed, and grabbed a handful of mane. Looking down at the ears of the big gray, he saw they were moving around the farm. Shadows of horses here and there, laughter ringing out from Keeley and Katherine, fleeting glimpses of the past. A black horse stood watching, off in the distance. Sean dipped his head to her, feeling a chill run down his spine. The big gray shook his head and pinned his ears, almost as if he was warning the black horse to keep it's distance.

As Sean looked, he saw Legacy's paddock. Standing under the giant live oak tree, with the sunlight peeping down through the leaves stood his beautiful Katherine. The sunlight danced across her smiling face, showing her laughing eyes. The big gray danced his way to the paddock. Sean felt as if they were dancing on air. They moved their way to Katherine, and Sean slid down off the horse. He reached out to her, wanting to wrap her in his arms, to hear her laughter, see her smile, and feel her heartbeat, hear her breathing. His heart ached with missing her. Stretching out his arms, a tremor in his hands, he reached for happiness. "Katherine... Katherine.." he crooned softly to her. She danced just out of his reach, so close and yet so incredibly far away. "How much longer must I go on with out you Katherine? Life has no meaning any more."

Katherine smiled at him. "Not yet, Sean. You've a job to do. Soon though- soon we will be able to be together. But know in your heart I am always with you, never far away. But for now, I ask of you- watch Legacy and Keeley. Help her Sean. Help him."

Sean woke with a start, shaken from the dream. She had been so real, so close. The pain from her death had never lessened, he had only learned to live with it. His soul was stuck in one space of time- one heartbeat over and over again. As he remembered the dream, he heard her message once again, as if she was whispering in his ear- "Help Keeley, Sean. Help Legacy. They both need you."

Salvation

2010-12-03T17:34:00.000-08:00

Legacy made his way to the bucket, and gently lowered his head in. The tempting aroma wafting up from the bottom had him salivating- it had been so long since he had a good warm mash that he'd forgotten how wonderful it smelled. With the first bite, he closed his eyes and groaned with pleasure. Bliss. Warm, slightly sweet, soft- Legacy was enjoying the feel of the feed in his mouth as much as he did the taste of it.

Bad Ass sat in his favorite spot where he could look out over the entire farm yard down to the main house. He could also turn slightly and see directly into Legacy's stall, which he did with the start of the groaning.

"Oh you have GOT to be kidding me. That mush can not possibly be THAT good! Groaning and carrying on. I might have known you'd still be a complete attention hound, even when there is only me here to witness it!"

The hungry horse barely slowed his savoring. He merely rolled an eye towards the opinionated cat and kept on chewing.

Bad Ass shook his head and went back to grooming himself. Silly horses. Crazy humans. Some days, he did not know why these trials had been put upon him. Still, he supposed someone had to be strong enough to keep them all in line, and who was better for that job than a tough as nails, black as sin barn cat?

Up in the main house, Keeley too was lost in thought. She stole a quick look out the window, trying to see if she could catch a glimpse of Legacy or Bad Ass. Her attention was brought back to the task at hand quickly, when a spatter from the egg pan popped onto her wrist and burned her. Nothing like a quick, painful reminder to keep her mind on the job.

She plated the eggs, buttered the toast, and took a tray into the sitting room for her father. Sean had come in from the barn and quietly gone to his chair. He sat looking out the window, lost in memories. Keeley hesitated half a heartbeat before entering the room. The pain in her father's face clearly told her where his mind had wandered to- it was pain she was all too familiar with.

"Dad? Are you hungry? I brought your breakfast in. Do you want some juice or coffee to go with it...?" Keeley's voice trailed off as she saw the tears slowly making their way down his cheeks. Sean turned towards her, his eyes tired. The lines in his face had deepened in just the short time they had been in the house. Gone was the alertness present in the barn. Instead his blue eyes swam with sorrow.

"Oh Keeley... why did she have to go? Why did it have to be by that horse of all things? I would have shot him dead right then you know. Shot him dead. He might have been better off if I had. At least then he would not have wound up in this condition. I don't know if I can ever forgive him for taking your mother from me. I just don't know." He dropped his head down onto his chest, sobbing.

Keeley fumbled the tray down on the end table. Reaching out to her Dad, she wrapped her arms around him holding him as tight as she could. "I don't know, Dad. I just don't know. But we have to hold onto this- she will never be gone from us because she will always be a part of us. I know she is watching over us Dad. I know it. And I know with out a doubt she would want us to take care of Legacy. We need to do this together Dad. You and me."

Keeley sat, perched on the arm of her Dad's favorite chair. Her arms were wrapped around his thin frame tightly, holding him as if to protect him from all the troubles of the world. Together they sat, grieving over old wounds so freshly ripped open. She didn't know how long she held her father, but when she felt his body go slack and heard his quiet breathing, she eased him back in the chair and slowly, stiffly stood. Placing a soft blanket over him, she picked up the tray and quietly headed to the kitchen. Breakfast was stone cold, the eggs congealed on the plate. Keeley could not bring herself to face the mess in the kitchen now, and slipped quietly out the door for a quick trip to the barn. Her excuse to herself was to check on Legacy, but in her heart of hearts, she knew the real reason for the trip out was for peace of mind. Horses had always provided a calm in the storm, and she needed that calm now in order to be able to face what the rest of the day would bring.

Legacy had finally finished licking his bucket clean by the time Keeley got to the barn, and stood eyes half closed, dozing in the sun. He perked up his ears at the sound of her footsteps, and he let out a low nicker. Bad Ass pranced over to Keeley, tail up, letting out his rusty sounding meow now and again, looking for all the world like he was the sole keeper of the worlds greatest secret. Which in some ways, he was.

"Look at you two boys! BA, you're never quite THIS lovey. Are you happy having a horse back home, or are you just trying to make sure you get your fair share of attention?" She ran her hand down the big cat's back, all the way to the tip of his tail. He rewarded her with a purr that rumbled seemingly up from the depths of the Earth itself. She moved to the stall door, going in to get the feed bucket. Turning, she stood looking at Legacy, taking her first true, hard look at him. What she saw was shocking. His once glossy hide was now dull and covered with scars and odd bits of twisted flesh. The skin was stretched tight over protruding bones, and every knob of his spine was visible. His legs were not quite as swollen this morning at least, and his eyes were still bright. At least those were two good things to enjoy for the moment. She let out a sigh. "Even if you are beat to hell and back horse, it's darn good to have you home again." Reaching out she ran a gentle hand over his barrel, feeling each and every rib, each and every scar. "Just look at that mess of mane! All knotted up and nasty. We'll be doing something about that today. Cleaning that up alone will make us both feel better, won't it?"

Legacy turned his head towards Keeley, and she gently touched his face. Pushing aside the twisted mass of forelock, she traced the scar on his head with careful fingertips. "Just think boy. If it had not been for a moment of clumsiness as a baby, we never would have known it was you. Pretty ironic isn't it?" She straightened the mess as best she could and briskly said, "Well, let's get you a bit of hay to munch on. Dr. Mike said you could start eating a bit here and there. Time to start and see how you're going to do with it." One last stroke down his face and she turned to head out of the stall.

Reckoning

2010-12-02T10:23:00.000-08:00

It was time. The sun was peeking over the horizon, and he could wait no longer. A horseman all his life, Sean Patrick Cullen was determined that he was not going to leave Keeley alone in dealing with Legacy, come hell or high water. Slowly, slowly he made his way from bed, dressed, pulled on his boots and went out the door. The light was a bit stronger now showing the barn where Legacy was housed clearly. Sean paused to gather his thoughts- he knew it was critical that he be fully aware now and not letting his mind wander. Taking a deep breath, he began to make his way to the distant barn.

There were mourning doves cooing to him. And he could swear he heard hoof beats walking with him. Not many days went by it seemed, when he did not hear the beat of hooves long gone. Or at least he thought they were long gone. It was very hard to tell sometimes what was in the "now", and what had gone before, and been left to echo in his memories.

He paused once more in the sun. Tilting his head back, he closed his tired eyes and prepared himself to face what waited inside the barn. Straightening his spine, looking much like the man of old, Sean stepped into the quiet of the barn and headed towards the stall that housed the horse who haunted him.

"I never wished this on him. I wouldn't wish this on any creature, no matter what they'd done."

Keeley was startled awake by the sound of her father's voice. He stood there, with the sun behind him, holding onto the stall door. It had been five years since her father had made his way to the barns, six with any regularity. In the days after Keeley's mothers death, getting her father to even look at a horse- any horse- was next to impossible. He retreated to his sitting room, where he turned his favorite chair to the position it was still in today. His only decree? Do NOT put Legacy back in that paddock. He did not want to ever lay eyes on that horse again. Legacy had been the first horse sold- and now he was the first horse back home.

Trying to cover her shock at seeing her dad there, Keeley looked down at the horse she had curled up around. A smile lit her face when she saw Bad Ass, curled comfortably on Legacy's side, staring back at her. Legacy lifted his head and looked around, interested in his surroundings. He nuzzled Keeley softly, and then rolled an eye to look at Bad Ass perched on him.

"Morning Dad. I didn't mean to sleep late. Came down here last night to check on the horse, and guess we kinda all passed out together."

"That's fine girl- that's fine. I had to see him for myself though. No reason my legs can't carry me down this way for a look now is there? Poor bastard. He's had a bad time of it, hasn't he? How did Dr. Mike even know it was Legacy?"

Keeley explained that somehow, Dr. Mike had discovered the scar underneath Legacy's forelock and knew what horse it was and where he had come from.

Legacy shifted, ready to stand up and eat. Bad Ass hopped down from his perch on the bony horse's side, and Keeley scrambled up out of the way too. Everyone watched as he struggled to his feet.

"Well, he can still get his pins underneath him. That's a good sign. Let's see if we can get some food into his belly too." Together, Keeley and Sean made their way to the feed room to prepare the first of Legacy's meals for the day.

Bad Ass looked at the horse. Legacy had taken a drink of fresh clean water, and stood slobbering in contentment. "I didn't expect to ever see YOU back here horse." Legacy blinked slowly, slobbered a bit more, and replied "I didn't expect to live to be back here, Cat. Never mind come back and find you still alive."

Bad Ass sniffed and swished his crooked tail some more. "That's neither here nor there. Right now, we have to work on getting you looking not so pathetic. Or is this just another attempt to get attention? We know you've been an attention hog your entire life."

"I'll admit- I don't look near as fine as I did in times past. I don't feel that fine right now, and haven't for a few years. But you don't look as sharp as you did six years ago either, you ratty looking thing. Come here and let me add another lump to that hide of yours." Legacy contemplated whether or not he actually had the strength to pin his ears at the cat. He didn't but it didn't stop him from thinking about it.

"What happened to you? Frankly old pal, you look like death warmed over." Bad Ass moved closer to Legacy, and began to groom himself.

"I don't want to think about that right now BA. Right now, things hurt too bad for me TO think. Will Keeley bring back food soon? Maybe if I had something in my belly I might feel better."

"I'll go check. Sometimes she is a bit slow, but we can't blame her. She's had her hands full with her father for a while now."

Legacy nodded his head and tried to move around a bit as he waited for BA and Keeley to come back. He looked out the doorway, off towards the main house and his old paddock. Memories came flooding back- the warm sweet grasses, shade under the mighty oak tree, the joy he felt racing around and kicking up his heels.

His walk down memory lane was interrupted by the sound of Keeley talking to her father and Bad Ass. Slowly he turned, looking over the door.

Keeley set down the bowl of food for Bad Ass, who happily dove in. Legacy stood quietly, waiting as she let herself in the stall and hung the bucket containing his mash. "There you go big guy. Eat a bit, and we'll see how you feel later on. Make sure you rest up, too. It's the only way you'll gain any ground. Later on we'll give you a good grooming and see just what we're dealing with." Keeley stepped out of the stall, and paused to look back at the horse. "BA, you keep an eye on him. I've got to go get breakfast ready for Dad and I, and we'll be back down in a bit. This will be good for Dad- get him out of the house some." With a final stroke down the big cat's back, Keeley walked on out of the barn and towards the main house.

Bad Ass turned and looked at Legacy. He had to wonder- would the horse have the strength and will to survive? He hoped so. He really hoped so.

Hell to Heaven

2010-11-29T12:39:00.000-08:00

Legacy heard the stall door close softly behind Keeley as she and the men left. He carefully shifted his weight from one aching leg to another, seeking some kind of relief from the never ending dull throbbing that had been a part of his life for far too long. The pain spread much farther than his legs, as it radiated up to his low back, and far up into his spine and neck. Pain and discomfort had been so much a part of his existence for so long now, that he didn't know how to function with out it.

The big horse stretched his weak neck as much as he could, trying to balance that fine line between causing more pain and getting the muscles to relax just a bit.

Keeley. He remembered her. Her scent, her touch and her soothing voice. She'd promised to come back, to bring him out of the darkness of his current hell, and into the light of home. Home.

Legacy dozed off, unable to stay awake any longer. He knew help would arrive in time, or it would indeed be too late. Either way, it was out of his control and dozing standing in the dark was all he could manage.

In his sleep, he dreamed. He saw a massive gray gelding, standing with him and staring at him. The gray seemed to be willing him to carry on- to live. Legacy felt as if the gray was literally holding him up.

He woke with a start at the sound of doors slamming and voices. There was no telling how much time had passed- the days all looked the same from his point of view. He heard other noises- could it be a trailer? He tried to shuffle around to face his stall door, waiting patiently to see if Keeley had come back.

She had. He heard her light step and smelled her scent. She quietly slipped into the stall, placing a soft halter on his bony head. She then turned her attention to the stall door, forcing it to open enough to get Legacy out of the stall. Dr. Mike was with her, and he pitched in clearing the alley way of debris so that Legacy would have less to possibly trip and fall over.

An open door.

Light.

Quiet, gentle hands.

The horse had to stop in the door way. His nostrils flared from the exertion of making his way slowly down the narrow alley into the light. He blinked his eyes rapidly, trying to adjust to so much brightness. He slowly looked around, and turned his head to Keeley. A huge sigh escaped him, and he began a slow shuffle to the trailer.

Keeley knew that in Legacy's condition, the trailer ride might well be the last thing he ever did. The ride to the farm was relatively short, but the road was in horrible condition. Getting the skeletal horse home in one piece was going to be a stressful happening. Forty agonizing minutes later, Keeley breathed a sigh of relief as she pulled into the yard at the farm. She shut the truck off, and took a moment to lean her head on the steering wheel. What am I doing? she thought. No sense in second guessing herself now. The horse was here. Now she had a job ahead of her.

Dr. Mike was standing at the trailer, talking softly to Legacy. Bad Ass was at his feet, tail swishing furiously. He reached out and swatted Dr. Mike's leg, as if he was trying to tell the silly human to hurry up- get the horse out of the trailer already and bring him into the barn. Dr. Mike laughed, and bent down to pet the old cat. "Hey you old scalawag! Keep your paws to yourself! I'll get him out when your momma gets here to help. You just be patient, alright?" Bad Ass merely swatted Dr. Mike again, obviously annoyed that the silly human was NOT moving anywhere near quick enough.

Keeley joined Dr. Mike and together they dropped the ramp to the trailer. Legacy was still standing as she had left him- legs splayed, head down, looking utterly exhausted. He was just played out.

"Let's give him a moment to rest, and we'll get him out. I've got his old stall ready for him, bedded extra deep so he can lay those weary bones down finally and rest."

With the ramp down, Bad Ass wasted no time in trotting right into the trailer. He marched right up to Legacy, and started purring. Legacy turned his head to look at the cat, and Keeley had to wipe away tears as the old cat and the exhausted and battered horse touched noses in greeting.

"Look out you silly old fart. Let me get him out, and you can inspect him closer, OK?" Keeley gently scooped the cat out of her way, so that neither she nor Legacy would trip over him as they were getting out of the trailer. "Here Dr. Mike, hold this trouble maker will you?"

Dr. Mike took the squirming mass of muscle in his arms, well aware that if Bad Ass did not WANT to be held, there was no way he'd be able to contain twenty pounds of pissed off fury. "This is why I went into large animal work Keeley. I swear, if this cat wanted to kill me he could."

Keeley laughed a bit. "I've often thought that myself about that cat. There is just something about him, isn't there?"

The three of them coaxed Legacy off the trailer and into the stall. The deep shavings, fresh clean water and a bite of hay waited for him. Legacy sighed in pleasure and made himself right at home. As Keeley and Dr. Mike discussed how, when and what to feed him, Legacy stood looking around. It was his old stall- the one right in the middle of the barn, where he could see all the action of the farm. The light was soft, the air was fresh and the view was beautiful.

Bad Ass hopped up onto the wall, and looked at the horse. Keeley popped back in, checking to make sure Legacy was quiet and settling in well. "I've got to go take care of Dad real quick BA. You keep Legacy company and make sure he is OK for me." She rubbed the cat's ears and was rewarded with a huge purr.

Night fell. Keeley had taken care of her father, who was shaken to say the least at the news of Legacy. She was exhausted from the events of the day, but found herself unable to rest. She slipped out her apartment door, and made her way to the stall. Legacy was laying down, resting in the deep bedding but he picked his head up at her approach. Bad Ass was in the stall with him, curled up in a bit of hay. Keeley took in some fresh hay, and made herself a place to sit at Legacy's head. The big horse sighed, and laid his head in her lap. Keeley let the tears fall then- silently they coursed down her cheeks. Her hands slowly stroked his face and neck, feeling protruding bones and finding new knots, injuries and scars. Bad Ass came and curled up with her, sharing her pain. Legacy slept.

The dream horse came again. Keeley knew he would. This time though, there was no wild ride through the plain, no tour of the farm. This time, she saw him standing over them all, watching over her, Bad Ass, and Legacy. The morning sun breaking through clouds shone on Legacy still sleeping, with Bad Ass on his side, and Keeley curled up around his neck. The gray nodded to himself- the journey had begun.

Shock

2010-11-26T13:28:00.000-08:00

Keeley followed Dr. Mike and Liam out to their truck. "I'll follow you- I'm only parked right over there."

"No problem. The horse is just about ten minutes up the road from here. Easy place to find."

Keeley walked briskly over to her truck and climbed in. She was still having a tough time accepting the fact that this might be Legacy. She pulled her phone out for a quick call home to check in on Dad, and to tell Mrs. Evans she might be a bit longer than she initially thought. All was well on the home front, and Dad was entertaining Mrs. Evans with stories. Keeley felt better going to take a look at the horse.

Legacy. As Keeley pulled out behind Dr. Mike, she could not help but recall that horrible day, and the horse at the center of it all. A blood bay, standing a full sixteen hands, broad bodied, heavy boned with big, solid feet, Legacy was known far and wide for his athleticism. He was also known for being a bit difficult at times since he had also been blessed with a strong mind. Keeley could still see him, standing over her mother's still form, refusing to move away from her fallen body. Ears flat back against his skull, he challenged Keeley's father time and again as he tried to reach his wife. Wailing with grief, her father picked up his rifle and lined up a shot at Legacy's head. Keeley pushed the barrel of the gun down at the last second, and the sound of the shot finally moved Legacy off enough for her father to reach her mother. Her father was not the only one broken that day- Legacy came in from the paddock a completely different horse.

Keeley shook her head. Best not think about that too much. She would be in no shape to help any horse, let alone Legacy. When Dr. Mike said a horse was in bad shape, it meant the animal was near death's door. Keeley knew she would have to dig deep and not fall apart no matter how bad it was. And there was still a chance that the horse in question was not Legacy, too.

Dr. Mike soon turned his blinker on and made a left onto a one lane dirt road. His brake lights twinkled as he slowed to ease over and around ruts and pot holes. After a few hundred yards, he carefully turned into a narrow overgrown lane. Keeley looked around, wondering where the horse was in all the over grown mess, leaning and drooping fences, and rickety looking shelters scattered about. Dr. Mike eased up next to one of the more solid appearing sheds and he and Liam climbed out. Keeley parked next to them, and slid from her truck.

Dr. Mike looked at Keeley closely. "Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked quietly. "You don't have to you know."

Keeley nodded her head. "Yes, I'm OK Dr. Mike. Lead the way, I'll follow you guys."

Liam came around the truck with a big flash light in hand. "Kinda dark in there. I've got this to help us sort things out a bit better."

They entered through a flimsy door. Keeley was afraid it would fall off in her hands, but maybe the door falling from it's hinges would be a good thing as it would let in light and air. Liam clicked the light on, and shone it down a narrow aisle that was loaded with junk, cobwebs, moldy hay bales and rusting farm implements. He stopped and shined the light into a dark stall.

Keeley came up and stood at his shoulder, peering into the darkness beyond, holding her breath in anticipation.

The horse slowly turned his head towards the door. His eyes were dull, his long mane matted and full of burrs. The horse was nothing but a rack of bones with hide stretched over it. He turned his head away from them, and dropped it back down past his knees.

"Dr. Mike, what on Earth makes you think this might be Legacy?" Keeley could not take her eyes from the horse. Legacy or not, something was going to have to be done, and done fast.

"Do you remember when Legacy was a yearling, and he went tear assing around the pasture with the other colts? And he wiped out in a corner, and smacked his head on a post? We had to stitch him up from that, and up under the forelock he had a scar."

Keeley remembered the scar. They all thought that the colt had fractured his skull, and would either die from his injury or be brain damaged. She nodded at Dr. Mike, saying quietly, "I remember that. It's kind of crescent shaped."

Dr. Mike moved to the horse's head and lifted his forelock. Liam shined the beam of the flashlight on his father's hand. Sure enough, there was a crescent shaped scar buried up underneath the matted mess.

"Legacy?" Keeley took his head in her hands. She looked him in the eye, whispering his name. "Is it you boy?"

The horse gave a quiet nicker and nuzzled in her pocket.

Keeley let out a whoosh of breath. She ran her hands over the horse's dull coat, feeling the scars, knobs of bone, and open sores all along his barrel and spine. His legs were stocked up, swollen from his body not moving and circulating properly. Always touchy about having his legs handled, the horse didn't move an inch as she expertly ran knowledgeable hands over them.

"You're a right mess aren't you old boy?" She fought back tears, knowing crying now would not do a thing to help this shell of a horse.

Turning to Dr. Mike and Liam, she quietly asked, "How do we get him out of here? He can not die here. I need to get him home. If nothing else, he needs to die at home- not in this hell hole."

Dr. Mike looked at Liam. They both knew the chance of this horse recovering was slim. A horse as skeletal as this one was at high risk of organ failure and Keeley might well be right in her assertion of the horse dying once he got home. Liam quietly slipped from the stall to let his father and Keeley talk.

Dr. Mike asked Keeley, "Are you sure? You've got enough on your plate Keeley, what with your father." What he left unsaid was worry over bringing back the horse that had killed his wife. Everyone in the equine community knew the death of his beloved wife had severely altered Keeley's father and left him unstable to say the least. Dr. Mike worried sending Legacy home, even if to die, would push him over the edge.

Knowing what the vet was not saying, Keeley stiffened her spine and looked Dr. Mike in the eye.
"He comes home. Who do I talk to in order to get him out of here?"

Dr. Mike nodded his head. "Knew you would say that. Let's go find the owner."

Keeley gave Legacy a rub along his thin, bony neck. "Hang in there big horse. I'll spring you and get you home. Just hang on a bit longer."

Legacy dropped his head lower in the quiet. He was going home. He too had to dig deep, and find the will to live long enough to get there.

The sun slipped lower in the sky, warm winds tugging at the trees once again. Bad Ass stirred- something in the wind whispered to him. Something.. something was changing. A homecoming was in the air. Could it be? "Yeeessss..." the wind whispered. Bad Ass listened hard. The birds grew silent, and once again hoof beats sounded in the yard. This time, there was a sense of urgency attached to them. A homecoming indeed. Lifting his head to the breeze, looking down the long driveway, waiting... waiting. He listened for the sound of the big diesel engine to come growling up from the paved road.

Homecoming indeed. Legacy. Legacy was on his way back to the farm he had been born to and banished from. Bad Ass merely hoped it was not too late for the horse.

####################

Destiny

2010-11-24T06:58:00.000-08:00

The morning sun streamed in her window. Keeley had been semi-awake, laying in bed pondering her latest dream. It had been at least three years since she had last thought of her mother's horse, and a full six since she had seen him. He had been one of the first to be sold. Keeley could not help but wonder where he was now, and what he was doing.

As she stretched preparing to crawl out from under her covers, her foot encountered a solid mass that was quite warm. She had forgotten Bad Ass had spent the night with her, and by all appearances, he had slept in one spot the entire time.

"Hey sleepy head- time to get up. Did you sleep good?" Keeley gently poked the old cat with her toes, trying to wake him.

Bad Ass, who had not slept much at all, yawned, stretched, and tried his best to wake up a bit. To say he was un-impressed with the idea of getting the day going would be an understatement of epic proportions. He rolled over onto his back, one ear poking out, twisted like a pretzel, and purred at Keeley. His tail seemed to have a mind of it's own, as it once again began it's ritual wagging. The happier BA was, the faster his tail wagged. Some days Keeley thought he had a little bit of dog DNA infused in there somewhere as fast as his tail would get going.

"Look at you! Silly old cat. OK, you can stretch out for a bit, but when I go out, you go out. Deal?" Keeley rubbed the old cat's exposed belly, knowing she was risking life and limb to dare touch the soft tender fuzzy spot. Bad Ass opened one eye and peered at her, clearly telling her she was pushing his limits of tolerance.

With a laugh, Keeley got up and started her day. First on the agenda, now that she had tortured the cat, was a phone call to Mrs. Evans. Setting up a couple hours time to let Keeley slip off the farm and into town for supplies was high on her list of Things To Do. Grocery shopping to some might seem mundane and a bother, but Keeley reveled in the moments away from the memories that surrounded her at the farm.

Bad Ass lounged on the bed, half listening to Keeley on the phone making plans for the day. It occurred to him that there might be a bonus to sleeping in the house- not only could he be closer to Keeley and keep tabs on her, but her bed was down right comfortable. With a final stretch, he lightly hopped off the bed and strolled to the living room where Keeley was putting on her boots. He made his way to her, tail wagging, looking for all the world like he was extremely pleased with himself.

"If I didn't know better Bad Ass, I'd say you were up to something. Just look at that smug expression on your face. Does this mean you are planning on moving in full time now? Hmm? One night on a comfy bed and you are corrupted. Who knew you'd be such an easy conquest!"

Keeley opened the door, and she and Bad Ass trooped out. After pausing long enough to put the old cat's breakfast out, she made her way over to the main house to check on her Dad and get his breakfast going too.

"Morning Dad! How did you sleep last night?"

Her Dad was up, quietly puttering around in his pajamas. He seemed quieter this morning. As if he was lost in memories of the past again. His bright blue eyes smiled up at Keeley though, and he reached out to her to give her a strong hug.

"Keeley girl. I had such dreams last night, Keeley. Such dreams. They were wonderful. Do you remember when...."

Keeley smiled, knowing today was going to be a good day. A bit of worry slid off her shoulders then, knowing it would be OK for Mrs. Evans to visit with Dad. She listened to his voice, with the faintest lilt of his homeland touching his words. The memories rolled off his tongue, making him smile and laugh. He paused, shaking his head and laughing a bit. Then he asked, "Have you heard anything of Legacy?"

"No Dad, I haven't. Not in about three or so years. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, no reason.. no reason. Just wondering I suppose."

Keeley watched, remembering her dream all too well from the night before. Her Dad made his way to the sitting room and his favorite chair, where he could look out over the paddock that had once housed Legacy.

"Dad, I'm going to have to run to town and get groceries today. Mrs. Evans has said she can come and visit with you for a bit. Is there anything you would like special for supper?"

"Oh no girl- I'm fine. Whatever you fix will do me well. Mrs. Evans- now she's a character! Her husband, God rest his soul, had his hands full with her when she was younger. She and your mother.... oh my Keeley, the two of them were quite a pair. You should have seen them, flying about the countryside together, seeing who could out ride, out jump, and just out do the other. It's a wonder they didn't break every bone in their bodies!" He let out another soft laugh, yawned, and closed his eyes. It wasn't long before he had nodded off.

Keeley stepped out to sit on the porch in the sun for a moment. Mrs. Evans rolled up about the same time, and came to perch beside her, soaking up the sun.

"And how is your father this morning?" She asked, her tone bright and cheerful. Keeley loved to listen to Mrs. Evans- she had the lightest, happiest voice that was perfect for story telling and soothing troubled souls. Days when she came to sit with Dad were always good ones, as Mrs. Evans could charm him into smiling and laughing like no one else could.

"Oh, he is great this morning. Napping in his chair at the moment. Full of memories and stories- I heard some about you and Mom racing about like wild march hares even."

Mrs. Evans blushed and giggled, "Yes, I suppose Katherine and I were a bit on the wild side in our younger days. We had our share of fun! Now speaking of fun young lady, you head on out for a bit and let me tend your Da. Young as you are, you need to get out and about a bit more and enjoy yourself!"

It wasn't long after that Keeley had given Bad Ass a rub, and climbed into her pickup and rumbled off the farm. Looking forward to a bit of time alone, Keeley quashed the feelings of guilt and rolled on down the highway, windows down, radio playing, a bit of happiness in her heart.

She soon pulled into the local market. She had not taken more than five steps inside the store when an old familiar voice called to her.

"Why if it isn't Keeley Cullen! How are you young lady? And how is your father?"

Keeley turned, excited to see one of her favorite people in the world- their old horse vet, Dr. Mike. It had been quite a while since Keeley had seen him, and she was shocked at how he had aged. His smile had not though, nor had his sprightly manner.

"Dr. Mike! How great to see YOU!" Keeley exclaimed with joy. "Dad is having a great day today, thank you for asking! How have you been?"

"Oh, we're rolling along. Time for me to retire though, I'm getting too old to be tending horses in the middle of the night. So the Mrs. and I are packing it in, and heading a bit south. My son, Liam, will be taking over the practice. In fact, he's here with me. You've met him before, but it's been a while." Dr. Mike scanned the store, looking for his son.

"There you are! Come on over here Liam and meet Keeley. The big bay horse you were asking about the other day was raised on her farm- he used to be her mother's horse. Might be she can help out some with him."

Keeley's heart stopped- Legacy? Keeley was a firm believer there was no such thing as coincidence, and she wondered what could possibly be going on. She looked at Dr. Mike's son, and a vague memory of him stirred.

"Didn't you used to ride along with your Dad on calls?" she asked.

Liam laughed a bit. "Yes I did! I remember you. You used to torment me about my freckles when we were at your farm."

Keeley blushed deeply. She had indeed teased Liam mercilessly. "I'm sorry about that..." she stammered out...

Liam and Dr. Mike both laughed, and Keeley joined in. "Oh, it's alright. We were kids, and kids do some mighty strange things at times. I'm glad we ran into you though. Dad and I were on a call two days ago for a horse he is pretty sure was your mother's horse. And frankly, the horse could use some help."

Dr. Mike nodded sagely, a serious expression on his face. "That he could. Poor bugger has had a rough go of things by the look of him."

Legacy. Near by, and apparently in trouble. Keeley was having a tough time wrapping her mind around this.

"What happened to him Dr. Mike? And how can I help?" She might regret the last part, but it slipped out before she could stop it. The last thing she needed right now was added worry over one more living thing. But this was different- this was Legacy.

"Well, if you've got a few minutes, we can swing by and I'll show you. I'm due to check him in about half an hour. Come on with us, and take a look for yourself. I'll warn you though- it isn't pretty."

Keeley's heart, which had been light and happy this morning, settled somewhere in the vicinity of her left boot. The thought of Legacy hurt or sick made her stomach twist and turn. Taking a deep breath, she nodded and said, "Sure. I've got time. Let's go take a look."

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Darkness

2010-11-22T10:36:00.000-08:00

Keeley stretched out on her couch, shucking her boots and tossing them aside. It had been a hard day indeed, as her father went from one rant to another, often times forgetting who she was and what the events of the day were. She tipped her head back for a moment, resting. The days when he was volatile and combative drained her physically, but they took a toll mentally and emotionally more so. She hated the thought of having to change the dosage in medication again, but it might be a road they would need to take in the near future.

After a few quiet moments passed, Keeley got up and flipped on her television. She made her way to her tiny kitchen, poking around to see what she had left to eat. Time to make a grocery list and slip away to the store. Keeley made a note to call and ask their neighbor, Mrs. Evans, if she could sit with Dad for a couple of hours one day soon. It was easier to leave Dad at home to run errands and do the grocery shopping. Keeping track of him in a store was like trying to keep tabs on five three year old children, all set loose to run amok.

She settled in on her couch, munching popcorn and trying to watch her favorite show. Her mind kept drifting to the dream horse, and she struggled to keep her eyes open. After catching herself on the verge of dropping the popcorn bowl, Keeley decided enough was enough and she dragged herself towards bed. Before she could reach her bedroom, she heard a strange scratching at her door. Curious, she cautiously approached to listen again. The last thing she wanted to do was open the door to a nosy raccoon and have him invade her apartment. The scratching sound came again, this time accompanied by a loud, rusty sounding meow. It was Bad Ass. Keeley opened the door to the old cat, and ushered him in.

"What brings you in old man? Are you getting soft in your old age?"

Bad Ass merely stuck his crooked tail up in the air, and let lose with a rumbling purr. He blinked at Keeley, and paraded past her, taking over the apartment in about twenty seconds flat. He unerringly made his way to Keeley's bedroom, stopping in her doorway to look over his shoulder at Keeley.

"OK then. Seems like I have a guest for the night. Let's turn in old cat, but don't you dare make a mess in here while I'm sleeping."

Bad Ass flicked his tail at Keeley, and marched regally to her bed. "Make a mess indeed!" he thought to himself, as he hopped up on her mattress, his agility belying his age. The old black cat settled in a ball, purring, looking for all the world as if he was there to stay for the night.

"I guess stranger things have happened. But I never thought you would turn house cat on me BA. Sleep tight old man." Keeley gave the cat a rub, and curled up under the covers.

The quiet night settled in around them, with moonlight streaming in through the window. Bad Ass laid still, but wide awake watching over Keeley. He knew the instant she began to dream, as it was the only time he saw her smile these days. In times past, Keeley was always smiling and laughing. The big cat listened to her breathing change, and heard her quiet laugh. He knew she was well and truly in the midst of an amazing dream once again.

The big gray gelding came to Keeley in her sleep again, as she had come to expect. She eagerly threw her arms around his big, muscular neck and buried her face in his mane. The scent of horse was pure Heaven, and Keeley breathed it in greedily. She vaulted up on his bare back, content for the moment to sit and breathe with the horse. He turned his head towards Keeley, peering at her from underneath an unruly mop of incredibly long forelock. With a soft nicker and a shake of his great neck, they were off at a sedate trot. Keeley sat back and enjoyed the feeling- his trot was like floating on air. It was a gait that a real horse could maintain all day long, ground covering yet energy conserving, and Keeley was eager to see where it carried them this night. To her surprise, they were trotting around the farm. From field to field, Keeley saw the old trees and fences bathed in pure white moonlight. She saw silvery forms of horses from the past. The ride paused in the pasture where her mother was struck and killed. Keeley could see the bent form of her father in the tall grass where he'd found the love of his life. She could hear him crying, crooning her mother's name over and over again. "Katherine... Katherine... why did you leave? I can not continue on with out you..."

The tears welled in Keeley's eyes, as she tried to sort out what was a dream, and what was reality. Had her father made his way there in the grass, calling out for her mother? Or was it a dream?

Keeley was startled by the appearance of a figure next to her father. Not just any figure- but that of her mother's horse. The shining bay stood over her father, muzzle resting on the back of his neck. Keeley watched her father turn, and use the horse to help him stand. Grasping the mane of the horse, he slowly made his way towards the main house. His shoulders were bent, and his head was down, his spirit as broken as his heart. The bay paced the man, seeming to take care to watch over him and guide him carefully.

Bad Ass watched. His emerald eyes unblinking, he watched. And he too heard the crying in the night, and the sound of hooves carefully making their way across the yard. He knew it would not be long now, before the black mare came to collect another soul. But before that time came, there was work to be done. Yes- much work to be done.

Spirits and Memories Past....

2010-11-19T06:35:00.000-08:00

Keeley stopped short. A horse? It had been at least five years since any horses were on the farm. How could she possibly be hearing a horse now? Keeley took a careful look around, hoping to spot a loose horse from a neighboring farm. All she saw were the birds, busy nest building and bug catching, and old Bad Ass sprawled in the sun for his morning siesta.

"I've got to be going as batty as Dad is," she muttered under her breath.

Keeley continued her walk to the main house. Warm sunlight dappled the ground in front of her booted feet, and she could not help but compare the patterns on the ground to the dappled coat of the horse in her dreams. Such a beautiful animal, so strong and full of life. Keeley had always been a dreamer at night but dreams of this intensity were something new to her. She couldn't help but wonder if there was a hidden meaning behind them. Maybe a message for her. Her mount in the dreams was not familiar to her- in their years of raising horses on the farm, plenty of gray's passed through the barn, but none like this one. A sigh escaped her. Mysteries such as the great gray gelding would have to wait until later for more thought. Right now, Keeley was going to have her hands full to overflowing with her highly agitated father.

Keeley climbed the few steps to the porch, and opened the creaking screen door. Her father heard the noise, and bellowed from the kitchen at her. "Keeley! Girl, get in here! That damn miserable harpy not only stole my horses but she stole my medicine too!"

"Morning to you too, Dad. If the harpy was so busy last night with the horses, maybe she didn't find the stash of medications we set up the other day. Let's go check." She reached out and took her Dad's hand, and gently guided him to the sitting room. Memories flooded her heart and mind, of her Dad taking her hand as a child. Then it was her Dad that guided her to the sitting room to soothe a broken heart, check a scrape or cut, or to just sit her down and have a heart to heart with her. Some days, Keeley had no clue who this stranger was, parading around in a smaller, more frail version of her father's body. She got her Dad settled in his favorite chair in the sitting room, and headed back to the kitchen to start his breakfast and locate his medication. Keeley was the "harpy" in this case, as she had to keep the medicine locked up. Since her father had over dosed a few months back, she had to take drastic measures to make sure it did not happen again.

The other "harpy" he was referring to was Keeley's mother. The day that she died, six years past, was the day that her father started down the slippery slope into heart break and dementia. He had been the one to find her, sprawled in the field with her favorite horse. A blow to the head had killed her. By all appearances, as she was turning her horse out into the pasture, he had reared up and his hoof struck her temple, killing her instantly. It had been all Keeley could do to talk her father out of shooting that horse, for taking the love of his life from him.

Part of him died that day, and each day since. One year to the day later, the decision was made to sell off the horses. Seeing the last shining rump climb the ramp into the waiting horse van was the final straw. Keeley's father had never been the same.

Outside the window, the warm winds playfully blew, tugging at leaves and limbs sending them dancing. Bad Ass sat in the sun, tail wagging in time with his thoughts. He stared with intensity into the window, where he could see Keeley in the kitchen. In the shadows, the sound of hooves crossing the yard resonated. Was it just a memory of events in the past? Bad Ass knew the truth. But getting Keeley to see, to look beyond the normal realm of reality was going to be a challenge. His gaze was unblinking, and steady on Keeley, almost as if he was trying to send her a message.

Keeley gave a start- she swore she could feel someone watching her but when she looked out the window all she saw was the big black as sin barn cat. She'd known Bad Ass his entire life, as he had been conceived and born right there on the farm. There were times when she had to wonder about the old cat. The intensity of his gaze sent a shiver down her spine.

"It's a bad day for memories it seems," she thought to herself. "A bad day for memories indeed."

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Dreams

2010-11-17T06:09:00.000-08:00

The ground shook from the thunder of drumming hooves.

Wind whipped his long, thick mane back into Keeley's face, getting into her eyes. Her own long tangled hair streamed behind her, the wind from the speed of their passage creating more snarls in her curls. Keeley threw herself into the moment completely- sitting up tall, throwing her arms wide, embracing the wild feel of the horse under her.

Bareback, with her jean clad legs wrapped around her mounts barrel, Keeley could feel every stride, every breath and the sheer power contained in the massive horse. She knew with out a doubt he would not falter, nor would he tire. The big gray covered ground effortlessly, carrying them with a sureness that few can master.

Tears streamed from Keeley's eyes, and laughter bubbled up in her chest. The feeling of freedom was one she relished, and she knew the big horse was feeling the same.

The big horse slowed, nostrils flaring. Keeley took this chance to breathe deep herself, knowing that as soon as he caught his wind, he would be off like a rocket once again. In the far distance, a soft noise caught her attention. She tried to push it away, focusing instead on the majesty of her mount, feeling his ribs rise and fall, tangling her hands into his thick mane hoping if she clung to the horse tight enough she could stay right where she was.

The noise grew from a quiet yet persistent interruption to a loud, abrasive, nagging, nerve jangling dose of reality. A quiet sob escaped her, as reality once again set in. There was no run across an endless plain. No majestic horse to carry her far and away from her lonely reality. No smell of horse sweat, no life between her knees.

She reached a long arm over the side of the bed, once again exhausted from a night of restless tossing and turning, and swatted the offending alarm clock. "Rotten bloody bastard. I ought to just chuck you right out the blasted window," Keeley snarled.

Keeley knew the day had begun, and soon her phone would be ringing. She dragged a hand across her eyes, wiping away the tears and remaining bits from her dream. She took a deep breath and dragged herself to the edge of her bed. A yawn escaped her, as she fumbled with her jeans and tank top, and struggled to remember where she'd kicked off her boots. The happy DING from the kitchen let her know her coffee was ready. "Thank you God for Mr. Coffee. Sweet nectar of life awaits me...." The sarcasm dripped heavily into the room.

The empty barns and paddocks that she would have to face on her way to tend her ailing and elderly father would hit her heart and bring fresh pain, as it did every morning. The apartment she now lived in, situated over what was once the broodmare barn, still clung to a faint scent of horse, hay and shavings. Every time she walked out her door she expected to see faces from the past peering at her from over stall doors. Instead she was greeted by Bad Ass, the lone remaining barn cat. Too old now to do much more than sunbathe and purr, Bad Ass still made his way to greet Keeley every morning.

"Morning you raggedy old wretch. All quiet on the western front so far?"
Bad Ass looked adoringly up at Keeley, knowing his breakfast was soon coming, and he let out a rusty deep purr as he blinked his dark emerald green eyes at her. Twenty pounds of solid black muscle, Bad Ass had lived up to his name in years past and his body showed it. Scars marred his ears, his tail was crooked, and lumps and bumps covered his ribcage. His time of scrapping had passed- now he preferred to soak up the sun and tag along after Keeley, watching over her.

Keeley's cell phone, clipped at her waist, chirped to life. She sighed, knowing that the first round of ritual phone calls had begun. She was tempted to ignore the persistent buzz, but she knew that it would only upset her father more if she did. Sending him into a tizzy first thing in the morning was something to be avoided for sure.

"Morning Dad- I'm on my way. Just let me feed Bad Ass and I'll be right with you."

"Keeley Rosaleen Shannon Cullen! You've got to get here now! She's at it again! That damn harpy! She's gone and stole all my horses right out from under me, and I'll not have it!" Keeley's father barked in her ear.

Keeley gave a heavy sigh. From all appearances, today was going to be a hard day. "Dad," she said in her most soothing voice, "I'm coming. I'll be right there. Breathe deep Dad, and we'll sort this mess out."

"Well, you'd best get a move on, girl. The longer we wait, the harder it'll be to get my horses back from that miserable thieving harpy." With that he slammed down the phone.

She passed a hand over Bad Ass's knobby body, and felt his purr come to life. "Got to go old cat. The Master beckons. Now you stay your crabby old butt out of trouble today, understand?" Bad Ass barely blinked at her as he contemplated his breakfast, his long crooked tail wagging with happiness.

As Keeley made her way to her father's door, she couldn't help but wonder about the horse in her dream. Night after night, for weeks now, that same horse had been haunting her. Pondering what it might mean, Keeley was caught off guard by what surely sounded like the snort of an impatient horse at her shoulder.

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