The White Rose ~ Part Five
By Moose
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16th Feb 2012 •
2,757 views
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9 comments
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Jenifer lifted her head and flinched at the brightness that shot through her windows. It had to be early afternoon. She flew out of bed and fumbled through her dresser for clothes. She passed a mirror on her way out, noticing a wispy mess of curls. She groaned with frustration and bundled her curls into a quick braid, with one last glance she hurried of the room and stormed down the stairs. She jumped into the kitchen and slid into her old worn barn boots.
“There you are, Jenny.” her mother’s voice came from the kitchen. “I thought you’d never get out of bed. You were starting to worry me.” she added.
Without even pulling her jeans over her boots, she answered “I’m going to help Luke with chores.” and ran outside. The warm late summer sun reflected off her vibrant chestnut head and her defined gold skin. She grabbed the side of the door and swung into the barn aisle, just like she always did except this time, she avoided the place on the aisle where the horrific accident happened. She skipped straight up to Azure’s stall and poked her head in, cooing to the filly softly. “Morning sunshine.” She greeted, but quickly pulled away from the stall, noticing something… strange and out of place. Azure’s water was half empty, and where was her feed bin?
Jenifer rushed out of the aisle and held a hand over her eyes, blocking out the harsh sunlight. She squinted as she scanned the yard for that certain ranch hand she was so used to seeing every morning. She sighed to herself and looked towards the bunkhouse. Well, this is odd of him… she thought to herself. Maybe he’s still sleeping. Jenifer smiled to herself and sprinted towards the bunkhouse, I’ll surprise him, she thought as she reached for the door. Slowly she turned it and opened it a crack.
Her thin, slender figure slipped inside without a sound. She crept towards the bunks, tiptoeing as quietly as she could with boots on. Jenifer flinched as a loud thud came from her boots with each step. As she got closer to Luke’s bunk she reached for the mattress and shook it as hard and fast as she could, cracking a smile. After a moment of silence she shook it again and pulled the quilt away.
Her mouth hung open and her smile faded. He’s not there? She thought. She started to feel anxious. Where was he? This was so unlike him… She threw open the door and hurried outside. With one last glance around the ranch, she realized that none of the chores were done. The buckets were still by the pump, where he left them every night. The paddocks were empty; the horses had not been turned out yet. Even the dogs were still in their kennels. Jenifer marched up to the house and barged inside. “Where is Luke?” she said into the air, her loud voice carried into the kitchen where her mother prepared breakfast. She looked up with surprise.
“He’s not doing chores?” she asked, looking back to her work. “Well, I better put his breakfast in the fridge for later. Did you check the bunkhouse? It’s been a long week, maybe he slept in, hunny, go check for me?”
“No,” she said abruptly. “He isn’t anywhere to be found.” she said, folding her arms across her chest and shaking her head.
“Well… that’s odd of him.” she paused to set down her pan. “Did he say anything last night?”
Jenifer thought back, last night was so blurry… She remembered him finding her in the woods and taking her back. She remembered a bright light as he carried her into the house, then nothing. “No.” she answered softly. A pit started to grow in her stomach. He wouldn’t leave me… would he? She wondered. “I have to find him.” she said as she charged back outside, headed for the barn. She headed for the tack stall, ready to saddle up her horse and head for the hills. Suddenly, something caught her eye on the door of the tack room. A tiny wild white rose taped to a slip of paper. Jenifer’s stomach churned, her heart dropped. No, no no… it can’t be, she thought as she took flower off the note and opened it with shaky hands. It was neatly written, as if every word was thought out. She read it silently.
“Dear Jenifer,
You’re probably ready to saddle up Azure and come looking for me. I know you too well. I’ve had so many great memories with you, ones that a person can’t forget. Thank you for that, but it’s clear that the ranch is going under. I’ve been meaning to tell you about leaving… but as things got worse and you went missing, I knew it would be too hard for you to take. I couldn’t do it to you, Jenny. I hope you understand that. You’re a smart girl. A girl that will probably make a living with horses someday. You have that unbreakable spirit in you. The horses see that. I’ve never met someone so in touch with them and nature. It goes without saying that I’m never going to find another person like you. Don’t let anyone part you from those animals. Keep fighting for the ranch and for me.
With love,
Luke
P.S. I heard somewhere that white roses were a symbol for farewell.”
Jenifer’s eyes began to draw tears. She smiled and laughed lightly as she read, but as she read on she couldn’t control her tears. She could hardly read the last line as her eyes swelled up with tears. This isn’t happening, she told herself as she slid to the ground in front of the tack stall. She shook her head helplessly and let the tears stream down her freckled face. She lifted the delicate rose to her face to take in it’s sweet, wild aroma and felt a flashback to when they laid in the meadow peacefully. What a perfect moment. There wasn’t anyway of stopping it, she was going to hurt and long for him… but what she longed for the most were the good times. She smiled as she pictured them gazing over the falls, breathless. She laughed as she pictured him struggling to get on his skyscraper of a horse. She giggled as she thought back to their first kiss.
Her smile faded as she was hurled back into reality. “It’s not fair!” she screamed in protest. Her heart began to ache. I just want out… I want my father back and I want Luke back. How can everything turn on me at once? How? She asked herself as hot tears sprung from her eyes. She wiped them and forced herself to be strong. She wore the rose in her braid and managed to make it through the morning chores. Everything reminded her of Luke, there was no avoiding it. By the end of chores, it was nearly lunch time. She wasn’t hungry, in fact, she hardly felt anything. She was out of tears and her heartache felt normal to her. She stepped inside, bracing herself for more tears as she turned to her mother. “Mom.” she said, leaning against the door. “Luke’s gone.” she blurted out, feeling new tears threaten to emerge. She gulped loudly and waited for her response.
Her mother just sighed and held her arms out to Jenifer. “I knew he wasn’t going to stay.” she said, drawing her into a hug. “He can’t stay forever.” she said softly. Jenifer sobbed as she laid her head on her mother’s shoulder and closed her eyes.
“I know, Mom,” her voice faded. “It’s just… hard.” she said, choking down another cry.
“I know it is, Jenny.” she answered. “Did you think this was going to be easy?” she asked. Jenifer sighed and pulled away, glancing anywhere but her mother’s face. Her vision blurred and her throat felt like it was closing. Jenifer fought the pain in her stomach as tears began to line her eyes. The tears began to run as she imagined every stall on the ranch… empty. She couldn’t bear to look at her now. She always though her mother was on her side. Whose was she on now? |
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Madeirey
Wouldn't it be terrible if you ended the series right at the end? Boy, that would STINK! Hahaha, keep writing!
Wouldn't it be terrible if you ended the series right at the end? Boy, that would STINK! Hahaha, keep writing!
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44 days ago
• 2,192 views
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MoonBeam
You are so gifted! Never stop writing!
You are so gifted! Never stop writing!
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43 days ago
• 2,333 views
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Maiandra
ooohhhhh!! i love this chapter so mcuh! the note is just perfectly written. it makes me really sad that luke isn't going to come to the rescue. doesn't he see that his breaking jenifer's heart???? D:
ooohhhhh!! i love this chapter so mcuh! the note is just perfectly written. it makes me really sad that luke isn't going to come to the rescue. doesn't he see that his breaking jenifer's heart???? D:
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43 days ago
• 2,415 views
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Emmurr
This story is just so heartbreaking! Every time I read the latest chapter of this story I get so engrossed in its world. It's beautifully written, I never want it to end!
This story is just so heartbreaking! Every time I read the latest chapter of this story I get so engrossed in its world. It's beautifully written, I never want it to end!
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43 days ago
• 2,194 views
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HaydenandWill
don't stop writing it i will be checking every day for a new one!!!!!!PLEASE DON'T MAKE IT END!!!PLEASE
don't stop writing it i will be checking every day for a new one!!!!!!PLEASE DON'T MAKE IT END!!!PLEASE
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43 days ago
• 2,205 views
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PhOeNiX
Its so intense. Luke you are an Idiot
Its so intense. Luke you are an Idiot
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42 days ago
• 2,209 views
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RowdyPantz
Your such an amazing writer i love reading your stories!!! PLEASE KEEP WRITING!!!(:
Your such an amazing writer i love reading your stories!!! PLEASE KEEP WRITING!!!(:
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42 days ago
• 2,216 views
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40 days ago
• 2,209 views
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Sapphire Flames
wow, i read all of them, but i commented on the ending first! :P
i love these!!
wow, i read all of them, but i commented on the ending first! :P
i love these!!
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9 days ago
• 2,193 views
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