Dotty’s Story – Chapter Eleven
By mosquito
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20th Mar 2011 •
3,116 views
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11 comments
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Dotty was right. Change was coming, again. She just knew it. She saw Maryanne’s husband arguing with Jimmy, she saw Connie’s chin start to quiver and the tears start to roll down her cheeks. She couldn't hear what they were saying from her stall, but it didn’t look good. Then she heard Connie’s little voice, plain as day.
‘I hate you!’ she squealed and took off, skidding round the end of the shedrow and racing toward Dotty. Dotty was startled, her eyes rolled, but she stood her ground as Constance ducked under the stall guard and buried her face into Dotty’s shoulder, sobbing heavily.
‘I don’t care, Jimmy!’ she heard the old man shout. ‘I only kept her because Maryanne insisted on it. Now she’s gone, and I don’t want to ever set eyes on that horse again. Get her out of here. Today!’
Jimmy knew there was no point in arguing. The deal had been done, and Dotty had been sold. He walked up, and quietly entered the stall. He knelt down, with one arm resting on Dotty’s neck and the other wrapping ever so gently around Constance.
‘Come on now, Connie’ he said softly. Dotty could tell this was hard for Jimmy. She could almost smell the emotions on him. Anger, sadness, disappointment, even a little fear. ‘It’s probably for the best. Your dad needs some time.’
‘We’re all sad about Mom!’ Connie snapped, not lifting her face from Dotty’s shiny coat. Dotty could feel the heat of her tears and her breath deep into her skin. ‘At least with Dotty here, we’ll always remember Mom, remember her riding and remember her happy.’
‘Connie, darling, you’ll never forget your Mom’s smile,’ Jimmy replied, trying to soothe Connie. ‘ You’ll never forget watching her ride, and how happy she was. Dotty or no Dotty, your Mom will be with you forever. This is important to your dad; he needs this. And you’ll see. Dotty will be just fine. She’s going to a good home. Why, you’ll probably see her here at the track just as much as ever.’
‘Really?’ Connie said, looking over at Jimmy and sniffling. ‘She’s going to be okay? I’ll still be able to watch her race and come visit her?’
‘Of course you will, Darlin’’ Jimmy said. ‘Now let me take care of Dotty, and you go say sorry to your dad.’
Connie forced a little smile. She wiped the tears from Dotty’s coat, and Dotty leaned her head round and gave Connie a gentle nudge. Connie laughed, just a little, and leant up close to Dotty’s face.
‘I’ll be watching for you Dotty!’ she said, very quietly. ‘I’ll be watching you, so keep trying your best!’
And with that, Connie crawled out of the stable under the stall guard and scampered off. Jimmy stood up, sighed, and gave Dotty a firm pat on the shoulder. Suddenly Dotty didn’t feel very well. ‘I sure hope so, Shorty,’ he said, with a clear tone of resignation in his voice. ‘I sure hope so.’ And with that he went to get Dotty’s travelling gear.
Once Dotty was all dressed and ready to go, Jimmy led her out into the sunshine. The day looked a little stormy; Dotty could feel a chill in the air like rain was coming, and she spotted some dark clouds in the distance. ‘This doesn’t bode well,’ she thought to herself. Soon a man arrived, and walked briskly up to Jimmy. He was much smaller than Jimmy. He looked a little like her jockey, but older, and he looked very tired. Dotty thought it was as if his face hadn’t smiled in years.
‘Is this it?’ he snapped at Jimmy, reaching up to take the lead rope. ‘Yep,’ Jimmy said. ‘This is Dotty.’ He said, with extra emphasis on her name. ‘She’s kinda small, ain’t she?’ the little man said. ‘Oh well, none of my business. Anyway, I hear they got her real cheap, so it don’t matter none I s’pose.’
‘Take good care of her, Reggie’ Jimmy said. She’s been real special to a lot of folk.’
‘Come on Jim,’ Reggie replied. ‘They’re all the same. ‘Cept some are faster than others. I can’t see this one bring me much in the way of cash. A lot of work, and no money.’ Dotty saw Jimmy’s hand slowly loosen its grip on her lead rope, but he held it up, like the rope was still there. Reggie snapped on the line, startling Dotty a little, and she tried to look back at Jimmy as she was led away, but each time she did, Reggie snapped on the lead.
‘Come on Shorty, move it.’ Reggie said. ‘We’ve got a long trip ahead of us.’ Dotty stepped carefully up the ramp into the trailer; there was no hay, there were no other horses. ‘I even miss Solo,’ Dotty muttered to herself, afraid of being alone for the first time in so long. It seemed like Jimmy was always around, and he always rode in the trailer with her.
The ride wasn’t that long, and when the ramp went down, Dotty couldn’t believe her eyes. It was another track, just like the one she’d left, but it looked like it was a hundred years old. There was moss on the roofs, and the beams were sagging, and trash fluttered around. Horses were walking, grazing, bathing, just like before, but there was something not quite right. It was like it was all a little dim; a little dark. The horses didn’t shine like before, the tack looked dirty, the paint was dull and peeling. Reggie started to lead her down, and pulled her head sharply. Dotty lost her balance, and stumbled. The next thing she felt was Reggie’s boot landing hard right in the middle of her chest.
‘Get up mare!’ he snapped. ‘I don’t have time for this! I got things to do!’
Dotty had never been hit so hard before; she almost couldn’t breathe, but she didn't know if it was the force of Reggie’s boot or the shock of his reaction. She hadn’t stumbled on purpose, after all. Reggie snatched at the lead, and strode off, Dottie almost had to jog to keep up with him, but she didn’t dare fall behind. He put Dotty in a stall; Dotty saw the name on the door. It said ‘Bellissimo’. And with that Reggie closed the stall door and walked away.
‘Maybe they’ll put my name on tomorrow,’ Dotty thought. ‘After all, it looks like I got here pretty quickly.’
Dotty looked around, sniffed her travel boots, and wriggled under the itchy travel rug. The lead rope was still dangling from her halter. There was no water bucket, no hay net, and what straw was left under her feet didn’t smell very fresh. Where was Reggie? ‘He must have gone to get me some hay, or maybe even dinner.’ Dotty wondered. But as the sun set, and the stable grew darker, Dotty began to realize; Reggie wouldn't be coming back tonight. |
Related: Dotty's Story - Chapter One, Dotty’s Story - Chapter Two, Dotty’s Story – Chapter Three, Dotty’s Story – Chapter Four, Dotty’s story – Chapter Five, Dotty’s Story – Chapter Six, Dotty’s Story – Chapter Seven, Dotty’s Story – Chapter Eight, Dotty’s Story – Chapter Nine, Dotty’s Story – Chapter Ten, Dotty’s Story – Chapter Eleven, Dotty’s Story – Chapter Twelve, Dotty’s Story – Chapter Thirteen, Dotty’s Story – Chapter Fourteen, Dotty’s Story – Chapter Fifteen, Dotty’s Story – Chapter Sixteen, Dotty’s Story - Chapter Seventeen - The End,
More In This Category: Horse Fiction
More From This Author: mosquito
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No Walkin Farms9
Another awesome installment. Poor Dotty. This new owner and track don't sound very nice.
Another awesome installment. Poor Dotty. This new owner and track don't sound very nice.
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12 days ago
• 2,032 views
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weezapony
D: Poor Dotty! This is so sad. :(
D: Poor Dotty! This is so sad. :(
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12 days ago
• 1,989 views
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12 days ago
• 2,021 views
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Dixie Chick
I feel so bad! I'd like to kick Reggie in the chest! DX
I feel so bad! I'd like to kick Reggie in the chest! DX
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12 days ago
• 2,019 views
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Wanderin Boy Memorial
MOD
Aww, poor Dotty !
I ♥ this story ! Can't wait to read more
Aww, poor Dotty !
I ♥ this story ! Can't wait to read more
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11 days ago
• 2,038 views
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Seven Sins
poor dotty, cant wait to hear more
poor dotty, cant wait to hear more
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11 days ago
• 1,993 views
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Isadorable
( Love this story! Can't wait for more.
( Love this story! Can't wait for more.
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11 days ago
• 2,011 views
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Untamed Heart
Awww.... I want more! i wanna see her be treated nicely!!! Dumb Guy!
Awww.... I want more! i wanna see her be treated nicely!!! Dumb Guy!
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9 days ago
• 2,010 views
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T W I
Poor Dotty!
And just as I thought her life was getting better. Can't wait for part 12!
Poor Dotty!
And just as I thought her life was getting better. Can't wait for part 12!
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Apr 5, 2011
• 2,025 views
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Ghost
Had to go find the previous chapter. Still Good!
Had to go find the previous chapter. Still Good!
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Apr 8, 2011
• 2,008 views
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Jun 18, 2011
• 2,146 views
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