Misty

The school day was over and the three friends were walking towards the exit. Palmer saw Christopher waiting in line to get on the school bus and she headed over after she said her goodbyes to Faith and Gunner.

“Hey!” she greeted him and all he could do was give her a small smile.

“Hey, yourself.”

“I was wondering if you wanted to hang out at my ranch. We have horses and we can ride them around,” she mentioned, hoping he would say yes. 

“I don’t think it’s a good idea, my mom is probably waiting for me to help with dinner,” he replied, when Palmer’s cell phone rang. It was James telling her that Misty was finally in position and that meant she would give birth at any moment. 

She squealed excitedly and turned to face Christopher, pulling him towards her mom’s car. He was trying to get away from her grasp, but she was, for some reason a little tough to get away from. 

“I will miss the bus home and my mom will be wondering where I’m at.”

Palmer asked him to give her their phone number and he hesitantly did. She didn’t waste time and pressed the send button, waiting for an answer just as Christopher fidgeted with his fingers. Only a few seconds passed when she heard Grace’s sweet voice on the other side.

“Hello, Grace. This is Palmer and I was wondering if Christopher could go to my ranch. One of our mares is giving birth and it would be amazing if he was there....Really? Great! I promise to take him home after.”

She hung up and gave him a wide smile. They both got in and Daisy greeted him before they drove off.

“How’s Misty?” Palmer asked. Christopher could see the excitement, but also the concern on her face. He had heard country folk treat their horses as if they were family, or even better than family. 

“She’s doing okay, she only started to lay down and we should be able to make it on time for when the foal is born.”

Palmer looked back at Christopher, grinning from ear to ear, not being able to contain her excitement. 

“I can’t wait for you to see our horses, they’re beautiful animals.”

“Yeah, we have seen them in Central Park. They’re big,” he replied.

“Yeah, but I have seen on tv how they make them pull those carriages just for the fun of it, poor animals being used like that. They are supposed to enjoy the fresh air and the grass under their hooves. Not the hot concrete, that’s abuse.”

Christopher couldn’t help but chuckle as he looked out the window. He was right, she was crazy, but she was also nice which was making him feel a bit more comfortable around her. 

They arrived at the Wright’s farm and Palmer got out of the car, hurrying into the stables to check on Misty. Christopher followed right after. He could see her getting ready to help her father with the mare. 

He stood by the stall door and looked down at the future mom, who laid there in pain.

“Christopher, why don’t you come and help?” she asked as she was putting some gloves.

“That’s okay. I can watch from here, not sure if I’ll be much help anyway,” he said, not wanting to interfere with their job. He was sure they had it handled. Palmer was trying to soothe her as James prepared towels to receive the foal. Randall, who was the vet and a great friend of the family with them in case there were any complications. 

“Okay, Palmer. I need you to keep her calm,” James ordered and Palmer sang a soothing song for Misty. Christopher was in awe of her beautiful voice. She closed her eyes and let her emotions flow through her towards the mare.

Suddenly she started kicking and her body was twitching uncontrollably. James wondered what was wrong with her. Randall checked on her and he realized she was having a seizure. James positioned himself behind her and he could see the foal coming out already, but ordered Palmer to hold her head so she didn’t hit it with anything.

“What is going on, dad?” she asked, worried about one of her friends. 

“She’s having a seizure, honey. Keep holding her head,” he replied, pulling the foal gently out of her while Randall prepared a syringe with the medicine to stop her seizures. 

“Randall, the foal is almost out,” James said and right after he put the medication on her, she was able to relax as they pulled the tiny creature the rest of the way. 

“Dad?” 

“It’s okay, honey. The foal is doing okay,” James said as he broke the sac to free him. Randall checked Misty’s eyes and her heart.

“How is she?” Christopher hadn’t seen someone so worried for anything. But seeing Palmer worried about Misty really made him think how big her heart was. After they cleaned the foal and checked on Misty one more time, Palmer came out of the stall to meet Christopher.

“She’ll be fine,” he said, and Palmer didn’t think before she wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him. She was looking for some comfort. 

Christopher froze in place, surprised at her sudden reaction. His cheeks turned red and his heart pounded inside his chest at her touch, but then he slowly relaxed and wrapped his arms around her. He put his head on hers, taking in the sweet smell of green apple from her shampoo. 

“Thank you for being here,” she whispered as she looked at him with a soft stare and a sweet smile, “are you hungry?”

“Actually, I think it’s better if I went home. My mom will be worried,” he lied, but he could not be one more minute close to her without his heart trying to jump out of his chest. 

Palmer nodded and looked around, her eyes landing on Trigger and a smile escaped her lips. She let the horse out and got him ready. Christopher was wondering about her intentions and when she saddled Trigger and walked out of the stables, she gestured for him to mount the horse and sit behind her. 

“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Oh, nonsense. Mom is making dinner and dad is busy with Misty and the new foal. So you have no choice but to accept a ride on the horse, since I still don’t have my driver’s license,” she said, her mischievous smile making him accept her offer. They both got on Trigger and as soon as she got him to trot, Christopher quickly wrapped his arm around her belly as tight as he could.

“Come on, Chris. You are going to break me in two. Relax, you will love the ride,” she laughed as he tried hard to enjoy the ride back home. 

~~~~~~

Christopher was almost home, he saw Grace working in the garden in front of the house. She looked happy, and he was happy to see how much she was loving this lifestyle. The sound of the horse made her lift her head and saw them approach her together.

“Hello, Chris. Hello, Palmer. How was school today?” She asked, cleaning her hand with a soft towel she carried on her shoulder.

“It was not bad, compared to yesterday,” Christopher said while he dismounted the horse. Palmer said her goodbyes, letting Christopher know she had to check on Misty and left the property, Trigger galloping down the dirt road. Christopher looked at his mom, who had a curious smile on her face. 

“How was your time over at her house?” she asked and he shrugged his shoulder.

“Well, it was good. I got to see a mare give birth to a foal and Palmer and her friends invited me to this party on Saturday. They wanted me to go shopping with them Friday after school, so I was wondering if I could have some money to get an outfit.”

Grace stood up from the dirt and looked at him with her mouth open.

“My son is going out with some friends?”

“No, mom. They’re classmates who have invited me somewhere. I guess it won’t hurt to go, right?” Grace took her gloves off and walked inside for some water. Christopher followed and sat on the stool at the kitchen island.

“When are you going to start at the clinic?” He asked curiously.

“I was supposed to start today, but they’re trying to get the clinic in order before I go. Everything should be ready tomorrow,” she replied, grabbing a jar of water and pouring it in a glass. Christopher was silent for a moment, when Grace looked at him, curiously. 

“What’s wrong, Sweetheart?” 

“Nothing, mom. I’m just actually excited about this party. I mean it’s the first time someone invited me anywhere. I hope they’re being genuine with their offer.”

“I’m sure they are. Just give them time, but if you’re not too sure, be alert anyway.”

“Palmer was the one that defended me from those three boys I mentioned before, the ones that were bothering me when we went to town. She was pretty upset.”

Grace was glad someone stood up for him. “You see? There are good people. I was hoping this wouldn’t happen again, but if it goes further, make sure you don’t let them, okay?” 

Christopher nodded, and with a kiss on his mother’s cheek, he went to his room to do some homework before he went to bed. He couldn’t focus and smiled at the thought of gaining new friends and how kind they were. How Palmer’s outgoing nature would keep him on his toes, he was trying to be up to the challenge.