The White Rose ~ Part Two
By Moose
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6th Feb 2012 •
4,035 views
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8 comments
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Luke had fallen asleep next to Jenifer as she cried herself to sleep. Her cries became whimpers, and her whimpers became soft murmurs until she was in a deep coma-like sleep. Luke fell asleep from exhaustion, with Jenifer’s head on his chest. He knew this was hard for her, and this would change everything. Luke couldn’t bring James back, or assure her that everything was going to be okay, because he wasn’t entirely sure. What did this mean for the ranch? The horses? His job?
Jenifer woke up the next morning with her tears dried. She lifted her head gently and tried not to wake Luke. As she moved his arm off of her shoulder and set it down gently, she rose slowly and looked around the room. Her stomach was sore from the crying, it was all really hard on her. Jenifer felt like vomiting, but she didn’t have the energy. She felt weak and broken and helpless. Her heart felt like there was a thousand tons on it, the pressure was unbearable. She wanted to scream and pound her head against the wall, but that would do her no good. She just wanted out... She wanted the pain to go... if only it were that easy. Maybe some fresh air would help? Jenifer stepped lightly across the floor and through the thin screen door and into the fresh, crisp morning air.
She was startled to see she was not alone when she stepped onto the deck. Her mother rocked peacefully on the porch swing. Jenifer sighed and sat down beside her. There was a long, silence as they rocked back and forth quietly. Jenifer felt somewhat like a zombie. She was so still and emotionless. All her tears had been cried, there was nothing left. Suddenly, her mother’s words cut through the air unsteadily. “A heart attack.” she mumbled. “I still can’t believe it... He never had heart problems.” her mother choked on her words and covered another breakout of tears.
“Mom,” Jenifer wrapped her arms around her mother and squeezed tightly. She couldn’t find a word to comfort her.
Luke’s tall figure appeared in the doorway, watching with pain. It was so hard to see them like this. Jenifer was always so strong. He waited until Jenifer withdrew from her mother, to speak. “I… I took care of the horses, I did... his chores.” Luke said softly, like a soldier reporting his duties. He didn’t move a muscle; his expression was blank.
“Thank you, Luke.” her mother replied.
Luke stepped off the porch and headed to the bunk house without a word. Jenifer’s eyes followed him, feeling empty. “Jenifer, you know without your father... We can’t keep this ranch going.” she paused to swallow hard and force back the tears that threatened to break loose. She left a moment of silence before her next words, choosing them wisely. “We have to sell the land.”
Jenifer’s eye brow creased, her face was full of confusion. “Mom… We can’t. What about the horses?” she searched her mother’s face with soft, contemplating eyes.
“Jenny, the horses will still be here. Someone will put them to good use.” she explained as she stroked Jenifer’s thick dark curls. “Luke isn’t getting paid anymore; he’s working as a volunteer.”
“You can’t do that to him, and this Daddy’s ranch. These are our horses.” Jenifer replied, her face full of disgust as she pulled away from her mother’s gentle hand.
“It’s not like this is any easier for me to do. They are just horses, Jenifer. And Luke wants to help. That’s what a volunteer does.” she said with a sudden stern tone. “The horses are not people. Their lives aren’t as affected by change. They will be just fine, believe me it will work out.”
“Mother! How can you say that they are just horses? They are living, breathing, loving animals. You can’t just throw them in a new surrounding like a fish in a new bowl of water. You can’t! The fish goes into shock and dies.” Jenifer argued. Her voice was full of rage and frustration. She felt like slapping her mother, but it wasn’t worth it.
“I wasn’t saying we would just throw them into a new surrounding, of course we will introduce them to it slowly. We can take this as slow as you need to, Jenny.” she replied, softening the look on her face.
Jenifer wanted to scream in anger. How can she do this to me? How can my own mother be so narcissistic? Jenifer thought. “I don’t believe this.” she said under her breath. If felt as if the world was caving in on her, all at once. Suddenly, her breaths sharpened, she felt panicked and alone. She shut her eyes tightly and went for her only escape plan.
Before her mother could stop her, Jenifer sprinted off the deck and made a mad-dash for the barn. Tears started to swell and blur her vision. She kept running until she hit Azure’s stall. Jenifer pressed her head against Azure’s, collecting her strength. She grabbed the first pair of reins she could reach and vaulted onto the filly’s bare back, attaching the reins to her halter. They were gone within seconds.
Jenifer wasn’t sure exactly where she was going, she just wanted to be gone. She wished she could run away and come back and everything would be normal again. She wished she could have been there when her father was having the heart attack; maybe she could have helped him. She wanted to go back to a happier time, like when Luke would chase her through the prairie and they would go for leisurely rides in the woods. She sighed to herself and clucked to Azure, urging her onward, hoping that the farther she ran, the better she would feel.
Everything is against me, she thought to herself. Why is this happening? What did I do? How do I deserve this? New tears formed at the corners of her eyes, teetering off her lashes and rolling down her cheek. Jenifer swiped at her face quickly and took a deep breath. No, I have to be strong, she told herself. But how? How am I expected to be strong after all this?
Jenifer snapped out of her daydream and looked ahead of her. Suddenly, she wasn’t familiar with these woods. She couldn’t even make out a path. Azure bent around the trees, dodging branches and logs. Jenifer slowed her to a light, brisk trot, then to a walk. I should have been paying attention instead of worrying, she thought.
They kept walking. Jenifer figured that eventually, they would cross paths with one of the main trails and she could head back from there. Azure’s eyes were everywhere at once; it was all so new to her. She snorted lightly, and took in the surroundings, wearily. Jenifer stroked her soft neck reassuringly.
A ray of light struck Jenifer’s face, making her squint. The forest opened into a clearing and filled with brightness. Butterflies and mayflies rode the serene breeze. The trees softened and the grass grew thin and wispy. The branches opened and revealed patches of sky. The place was scattered with life and elegance. Jenifer could hardly believe the beauty she was seeing with her own eyes. Her heart fluttered with excitement, as did Azure’s. The young, frisky filly saw grass, grass, and more grass. She reached for a mouthful and was pleased to find a sweeter taste than she had ever put in her mouth.
The grass was scattered with radiant colors of wildflowers, white roses, shrubs, and morning glories climbing up every tree. The butterflies grazed on the flowers and fluttered through air busily. Jenifer’s eyes wandered, but Azure’s were set on the grass. She lowered her head and took savory mouthfuls at a time. So rich she could colic off of it.
Jenifer slid off Azure’s back and into the soft grass. She sauntered through the meadow and turned her filly loose to graze. It was like the world was trying to make up for the ugliness it had thrown at her. Jenifer’s eyes stopped on a certain tree. It’s branch swayed low enough to reach, the perfect place to sit. She climbed into the lowest branch and lay against the trunk. Jenifer wanted to enjoy this place, but it was hard to do with so much on her mind. She started thinking about her mother… she would be worried sick. Jenifer had been out for at least two hours… or was it three? She had lost track of time when she started to day dream. Jenifer had no idea where she was or how she’d get back, but that didn’t matter. She closed her eyes, trying to slow her rapid thoughts, and soon enough she was asleep… |
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Spaztastic
I'm balling. You have A LOT of talent !
I'm balling. You have A LOT of talent !
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54 days ago
• 3,403 views
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54 days ago
• 3,391 views
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Madeirey
So good!! I can't wait until the next part!
So good!! I can't wait until the next part!
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53 days ago
• 3,369 views
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MoonBeam
You are such a brilliant writer! Good job!
You are such a brilliant writer! Good job!
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52 days ago
• 3,389 views
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Double Spur Ranch
UGH I WANT MORE!! Can't wait for the next one :)
UGH I WANT MORE!! Can't wait for the next one :)
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51 days ago
• 3,392 views
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SunlightRider
Wow... You should write a book! I would definetly buy it!!!
Wow... You should write a book! I would definetly buy it!!!
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49 days ago
• 3,613 views
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Sapphire Flames
i love these stories! keep writing, your really good! :D
i love these stories! keep writing, your really good! :D
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11 days ago
• 3,371 views
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Sapphire Flames
again, while re-reading this, i have to say, amazing!
again, while re-reading this, i have to say, amazing!
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May 18, 2012
• 3,377 views
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