Chapter 4: A Competion of Sorts

Previously on “Amber and Billy, a Horse Story”:

• Amber and Sparkle rode for hours that night.
• Sparkle had led Amber to a group of wild horses far from the city.
• Amber felt a connection to the Stallion of the group.
• The Stallion told Amber to not be afraid of the people behind the phone call.
• Amber and Sparkle headed back home just as the sun rose.
• Billy woke up alone, worried about Amber.
• As Billy was grooming Franklin, Amber and Sparkle got home.
• Billy talked to the paper girl about Franklin.
• Amber put Sparkle in her stall, then made waffles for breakfast.
• Franklin wanted the waffles.
• Billy decided to take Franklin for a morning ride while the waffles baked, but got on backwards.
• The waffles finished quicker than expected, so Amber ate alone.

Amber sat at the island in the kitchen, alone, contemplating the person behind the mysterious phone call. She had thought about this over and over again in her head, yet she was no closer to finding a solution.

She recalled the look of understanding in the Stallion’s eyes. It was as though he had read her mind and knew what was going on. Then on top of all that, she swore she felt something telling her not to be afraid of it. If she let whoever was behind this know she was afraid, they would have power over her.

Amber shook her head. She was starting to get a really bad headache. She was exhausted from being up all night, and knew that when she did get manage to get some sleep, it would be extremely restless.

She took a look at the clock in the kitchen, and realized that Billy wouldn’t be making it back in time to eat breakfast with her. She picked up her fork and poked at the now cold waffles. Knowing she wasn’t going to eat anymore, she got up from the island to scrape the remainder of her breakfast into the trash can and load her plate in the dishwasher.

Amber peered out the kitchen window, where she had last seen Billy riding off with Franklin. She had a feeling he wouldn’t be back anytime soon, so she put the plate of waffles into the fridge for later and headed for her bed to attempt to take a nap.

Billy was having a great time riding with Franklin. He loved the freedom he felt when he was on horseback… no metal to restrict him, to cramp him; just the crisp, fresh air and the feeling of the strong animal underneath him.

After riding for what only seemed like a few minutes, Billy stopped Franklin’s trot so he could pull out his cellphone to check the time. He realized he had been gone for nearly 45 minutes. The waffles were more than done by now, more than likely cold by now. He was worried that Amber would be upset with him about bailing on breakfast, but he figured that if she was upset with him missing, she would have called him by now.

Billy: Well boy, looks like it’s just you and me for the day. I’m betting your mommy decided to go take a nap since she was out all night with your sissy. So, where should we go?

At Billy’s question, Franklin started trotting down the street. Curious as to where Franklin was taking him, he just let Franklin go.

About 15 minutes later, they arrived at the local Equestrian Center.

Billy: Franklin, are you trying to tell me something here??

Franklin: *snorts*

Billy: Yeah, I know I’m not that great of a rider… yet. But come on, classes? Really??

Franklin: *starts bucking, as if to get Billy off his back and into the center for riding class*

Billy: Alright, alright!! You win Franklin, so stop trying to knock me off please! Besides, if I want to have a fighting chance of competing with you, which is the whole reason we moved here of course, then I guess I’d better get in there.

While Billy was learning to handle a horse, leading it through racing and jumping exercises, and then how the horse competitions worked, Franklin was in a pen enjoying a salt lick.

And then some fresh hay.

Billy’s class lasted for quite a while. When he had finally finished and left the Equestrian Center, it was already dark out.

Billy: Wow, that class was much longer than I had originally thought it would be! But it was a lot of fun learning about the racing and jumping competitions.

Hearing Billy thinking aloud, Franklin wandered up to him.

Billy: There you are boy, I was just about to come looking for you. Did you have a good time while I was in class?

Franklin: *snorts and shakes head up and down, as if nodding*

Billy: Oh good. I’m excited to get back to our training. I feel a lot more confident now!

Amber: Is that so??

Billy: *slightly startled* Whoa! Hey sweetie! Where did you come from?

Amber: My mother of course. Oh, not what you meant? *giggles* After you didn’t come back for breakfast, I decided to take a nap. Then after I woke up about an hour ago and you still weren’t back, I grabbed Sparkle and had her lead me to Franklin. So… here we are.

Billy: Ah. That explains it.

Amber: Yup! So, you were saying you feel a lot more comfortable now??

Billy: Yeah, I do. Why?

Amber: Well, I figured that we could make a wager on that. There is a beginning jumping competition going on right now inside the Equestrian Center. They’re still accepting late entries, so I figured we could each enter… myself with Sparkle and you with Franklin of course. Then whoever ends up victorious gets something special.

Billy: Sounds like a plan to me. What did you have in mind?

Amber: Um… Well… If I win, you have to take me out on a very romantic date this weekend. Dinner, drinks, star watching, the whole shebang. And if you win…

Billy: …you will be on box stall duty for a month.

Amber: Done. Get your wallet ready bub! I intend to win this!

Amber and Sparkle headed inside to register for the competition, eager to beat Billy and Franklin.

Billy and Franklin followed, hoping to prove themselves in the novice ranks of the horse competition world.

Amber and Billy were excited for the race. Their adrenaline was pumping as they headed for the locker rooms of their sex to get changed for the competition. After they were ready, they both headed out to the track to meet up with Sparkle and Franklin.

The stands was filled with shouting and cheering people, all excited for the competition to get underway. Just as they were getting a look around at the different obstacles they would face, the leader of the show started welcoming everyone and thanking them for spending their Thursday evening at the competition.

As the man rambled on about what was going on that evening, Amber and Billy took it as a cue to mount Sparkle and Franklin. They looked at each other nervously, then at their fellow riders. They both noticed the air of confidence that each one of them had about them. Just as they were turning their heads back to look at one another again, the air-horn was blown and the gates to the pens the horses were waiting in opened. Thankfully for Amber and Billy, Sparkle and Franklin understood what the gate opening meant and took off as if a fire had been started under their tails.

Franklin took Billy to the outer edge of the track to try to pass the slower horses, and Billy quickly overcame his confusion and began to lead Franklin. He steered him in and out of the other horses, sneaking into tight spots and managing to get into the head of the pack. Meanwhile, Sparkle had chosen to race on the inner edge of the track. Amber was quicker to recover than Billy had been, and eased Sparkle quickly into first place.

As the group came up on their first jump, Amber and Sparkle jumped it with grace. It wasn’t very high, since this was a beginning competition after all, but others weren’t so lucky with it. Billy watched Amber make it over the small hurdle, and pushed Franklin over it to try to catch up with Amber and Sparkle.

Just as they were closing the gap, a second jump came into their vision. This one was a medium sized one, and posed more of a challenge for the riders. Once again, Amber and Sparkle breezed over it with no problems, but Billy and Franklin struggled with it. As they approached it, Franklin stopped mid gallop, almost causing Billy to go flying off his back over his head. Franklin was obviously nervous about the height of it, so Billy quickly soothed him and assured him that he would be fine, then had him try it again. This time Franklin sailed over the hurdle with ease. As his hooves touched the ground, Billy pushed him harder than he had before. They had a lot of ground to make up if they wanted to have a shot at winning this thing.

Amber and Sparkle we nearing the finish line. But standing between them and the finish was a combination of short and medium sized hurdles. Amber kicked Sparkles sides lightly to push her faster, and they glided over them and across the finish line, securing first place by mere seconds. She turned Sparkle around to see where Billy was and saw him towards the back of the pack. He and Franklin were just reaching the last set of hurdles. She watched, and grimaced, as the two of the sloppily jumped over the medium ones, knocking down part of the final one. But moments later, an embarrassed Billy had joined her on the finish line.

After receiving her prize money for the win, Amber headed outside with Sparkle. Billy and Franklin followed her quickly, anxious to get out of there. He had heard the other riders laughing about how he had knocked over part of the last obstacle, and how Franklin had to stop at the first medium obstacle they had encountered.

Amber noticed how Billy was beet red, and extremely quiet. So she guided Sparkle over towards him so she could give him a hug.

Amber: Sweetie, it’s alright. It was just for fun, so don’t worry!

Billy: It wasn’t just for fun…. I needed to see if I could do this. Remember, we moved here so I could pursue my dream of doing this! And… look at how I did. I placed 8th. Out of 10 places. How embarrassing…

Amber: Billy, that was your first time! Ever! You are too hard on yourself. Besides, these things take time. I honestly think the only reason I did as well as I did was because I spent all of last night and early this morning riding with Sparkle. You just need more practice.

Billy: Yeah… I guess… I just feel like maybe this was a mistake.

Amber: No. It wasn’t a mistake Billy. You have a passion for this! And I won’t let you give up on it. On Monday, I’m going to head to the hospital and see if they have any openings. We need to start making some money, so I’ll be the bread winner right now while you pursue this. I don’t mind, honestly. Besides, you can do this. I know you can. I believe in you.

Billy: Really Amb?

Amber: Really Billy. Promise. You know I would never lie to you. Now, let’s get home, shall we?

Billy: Sounds good to me. I have some wounds that need nursing anyways.

Amber: *giggling* Sorry, there isn’t a first aid kit for pride! C’mon, let’s go. Sparkle is more than ready, aren’t you girl?

Sparkle: *snorts in agreement*

Billy: Yeah, so is Franklin. Let’s get them home and cleaned up.

Amber and Billy had a quiet ride back home. They were both exhausted and more than ready to crawl into bed. When they reached their home, they rode Sparkle and Franklin into the barn to get them ready for bedtime.

They took their saddles off and hung them up, then their blankets and then their bridle; they brushed them and cleaned their hooves. Once Sparkle and Franklin were both happy and clean, they led them into their stalls for the night.

Amber: *stretching and yawning* Oh my MAKER! I am SOOOO tired!

Billy: *yawning because Amber did* Me too.

Amber: But, I had fun tonight. I really did. And you have to try to find the fun in it too! Otherwise, how will you do this for the rest of your life?

Billy: Yeah, you’re right. If it’s not enjoyable, why do it?

Amber: *winking* Exactly. Which is why I made it a competition! Now you have a lovely date to look forward to planning for this weekend.

Billy: Oh boy. I had forgotten about that…

Amber: Nice try bub, but I’m not letting you off the hook that easily!

As they were about to head for the house, Amber and Billy noticed their horses were not sleeping yet. Both Sparkle and Franklin had their heads leaning out of the stalls in anticipation of something.

Billy: Oh, I can’t believe we forgot. Sorry boy. Here’s your carrot.

Billy: That’s a good boy. And don’t worry your head about tonight.  You did the best you could. But we’ll work on it. We both have a lot to improve on if we want to be great. But we can do it. Amber believes in us.

Amber: Sorry girl. Daddy and I just completely forgot about your bedtime snacks! You deserve this my sweet, talented girl. You did so well in tonight’s competition. Momma is so proud of you!

After petting Sparkle and Franklin one last time for the night, Billy headed for the kitchen to microwave a TV dinner while Amber got ready for bed. No way was he going to lay in bed waiting for her. He knows how she is, and Amber’s evening routine seems to be just as long as her morning routine. So might as well satiate his hunger while he waited.

After he was finished he found Amber waiting in bed for him. Sort of. She had clearly attempted to stay awake but had failed. She had fallen asleep sitting up in bed, her head drooping to her left shoulder. He scooted her so she was laying down with her head resting comfortably on her pillow.

Billy kissed her goodnight and told her how much he loved her.

Billy: Thanks Amber. Really. You always believe in me, even when I suck. Really bad. You are my rock, my support, my everything. I don’t know what I would do if I ever lost you…

He then laid down on his back, and was asleep the second his head hit his pillow.

Both Amber and Billy’s dreams seemed to be heading in the same direction though. They both wanted to start a family, together.

And they were almost ready. They had the house, now all they needed was the rock.