Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

Freedom

It was the last class of the last day of school. “Jessica!” boomed the voice of the teacher.

“Yes, Mr. Grosse?” Jessica looked up surprised.

“What did I just say?”

“I. . . You said. . . I don’t know,” she admitted.

“I’d like to see you after class. Now, what thoughts or comments does anyone have about the past year?”

When the bell rang Jessica went to the front of the class to talk to Mr. Grosse. she got the usual ‘I’m disappointed in you. You could have done better speech.’ She was glad to have the summer to just be herself and not have to live up to anyone’s expectations but her own.

Upon her arrival home, she was greeted by the warm, wet tongues of her three dogs. They followed her out to the barn, and into the tack room. She grabbed a saddle, a pad, and bridle and went to he paddock where the horses were. She went into the paddock and led her favorite horse a large black and white Clydesdale paint named Goliath, to the hitching post and tied him there. Jessie called him her gentle giant. She gave him a quick brush down and saddled him. She ran back into the tack room to get her saddle bags, a couple of rolled up blankets, and a few other essentials. When she had secured the everything she mounted and rode toward the wooded trails at the back of the property.

Jessica had been riding for two hours when she came upon a field of tall grass. She dismounted but was careful not to let her guard down. Her parents would be sending Chris, the man Jessie’s parents had hired to help her improve her riding and help her to take care of the horses, to take her home. Jessie was a good rider but Chris was better. If he caught her off guard she would never be able to out ride him, and he would drag her back home kicking and screaming. She wasn’t going to let that happen..

After Goliath was rested, Jessie mounted and went south west, away from her house. She didn’t know how far she could travel before dark, but she would go as far as she could. Suddenly, she heard hoof beats behind her. She knew immediately that it was Chris, and she spurred Goliath into a lope then to a gallop.

It was impossible for Jessie to out run him, but she wasn’t going to give up. She continued to spur Goliath, though he couldn’t go any faster. As Chris came closer, he yelled at Jessie to stop and told her that he wouldn’t take her back. Before she realized what was happening, Goliath was walking and Chris was riding next to her talking about the concerns of Jessie’s parents.

Jessie wasn’t paying attention. She was lost in her won thoughts. She really needed someone to talk to, but didn’t dare tell anyone but the animals her deepest and most sacred of secrets. There was only one problem with that; when it came to human affairs, animals weren’t much help.

“I’m going with you.” Jessie’s thoughts had been interrupted.

“What do you mean you’re coming with me?”

“Wherever it is that you’re going, I’m going, too. You can’t stop me an you know it.”

Jessie sighed. “Why?”

“Because I’m a better rider than you and. . .”

“No. Why would you want to come with me?”

“Because some one needs to look after you. Besides it get awful lonely out here. And I enjoy spending time with you.”

Jessie was iritated by his comments. “I can take care of myself!” She yelled.

“Ok, calm down, I didn’t mean anything by it. So, Where are you going?” Chris questioned.

“Away from the stress. I need some time to just relax and deal with all the presure of school and all.” As if in agreement, Goliath whinnied.

“Sounds fun. How long you gonna stay out?”

“Until I’m destressed. That may take a few days it may take a week. It depends on how I feel. I’ve got my gun just incase,” she pointed to the gun tied to the saddle. “And there Is pleanty of things to keep me busy."

Chris was impressed with her determination. “Sounds like your’ve got it all worked out.”

“Yep.”

Chris turned his horse around and Jessica rode off into the proverbial sunset.

Back